Classes

Format Schedule: Local Classes  Visiting Instructors  Regional Classes Sponsor Information

Format

     Our most popular Beginning & Intermediate level classes are five hour workshops with a break for lunch. We also can format three to six hour classes on glass bead making to suit your needs. All of these  hands-on workshops include lectures, demonstrations, and extensive workshop practice. Anie Reid teaches how to use the HOT HEAD, an inexpensive non-oxygen torch to lampwork unique glass beads at home with very little equipment. This is great for jewelry or for adding jazzy accents to fused and stained glass. She is also a proficient teacher on the Minor Bench Burner.
     Class fees includes everything -- students use our torches, fuel, and we supply the glass for these exciting classes. No glass experience necessary! Beginners welcome!
     A simple three hour class is structured as below; longer classes may include demonstrations of a few more decorative techniques, expanded practice sessions, and a break.

  1. Basic Bead-Making Lecture/Demo
    20 minute lecture discussing torch setup, glass selection, safety, and a demonstration of basic beads.

  2. Practice Session
    20 minutes of supervised hands-on bead making, with individualized instruction, focusing on making two to three basic beads.

  3. Second Lecture/Demo
    20 minute demonstration of simple bead decorating techniques, including dots and stripes.

  4. Second Practice Session
    25 minutes of supervised practice.

  5. Cleaning and Prepping
    20 minutes to clean the used mandrels and re-prep them for the next practice session. Simultaneous discussion of mixing separator, cleaning bead, and trouble-shooting.

  6. Third Lecture/Demo
    This 20 minute segment presents several more advanced decorative techniques.

  7. Third Practice Session
    40 minutes of supervised hands-on bead making, either continuing to work on basic bead shapes or trying out the decorating techniques as shown.

  8. Wrap Up
    While the last beads are cooling, 15 minutes are spent answering questions and suggesting further directions for bead making.

Instructor Biographies

Anie Reid has been making beads since 1999 & has been presenting beadmaking demonstrations & has served as a teaching assistant at National Glass & Bead Events for over ten years.  She has been formatting her own beadmaking classes and is recognized throughout Texas for her ease of communication, ability to help students learn, artistic ability and superior  craftsmanship. She currently teaches beadmaking throughout the U.S.

photo1b.gif (10285 bytes) Students watch and practice all these techniques in a Beginning 6 hr. Beadmaking Class.

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Intermediate formats vary, but longer formats will cover complex stringer work
such as twisted dot and pinched chains, silver foil, gold leaf, casing,
twisties, plunge beads and dichroic.

photo3.gif (10563 bytes)
Close-up of gold leaf application (intermediate technique)

Local

Heritage Glass is based in New Braunfels, Texas. We sponsor  5 hour Beginning Beadmaking classes, as well as other levels of classes taught by Anie Reid or Visiting Instructors running regularly in New Braunfels and in Temple, Texas. Click here to see the current Heritage Glass Studio schedule, or call (888) 554-2323 for details. We also send out New Beadmaking Class Updates (these are mostly Texas Classes) via e-mail. To be included on this list, send your request to WorksbyReid@Gmail.com

We also have a Glass Beadmakers' Group, the La Beada Locas  which is meets occasionally for a social gathering, show & tell, demos, torch time and more. Let me know at sales@heritageglass.com  if you would like information so you can join us!


Regional

Regional classes are open to the public, but will require you to register directly with the sponsor.  We are currently taking personal time off from regional travel.  If you are interested in sponsoring a class, contact Anie Reid at 512-557-2630.


Sponsoring a Class in Your Area

You can bring Anie in to teach a class or two in your location if you can provide:

  1. Adequate work space: Each student ( minimum of seven) will need a place 3 feet wide by 18 inches deep. The work table should have a surface that could be marred with a few minor burn marks. Each student should have a stool suitable for the height of your table. The room should be as well-ventilated as possible. Ideally, one end of the room will have a fresh air source while the opposite end of the room has a large window exhaust fan. The floor is preferably a non-flammable material.
  2. Seven to Twelve Students: There is no experience necessary to learn beadmaking, however we do recommend that participants are at least 15 years of age. Fees are based on the number of students and the length of the class. The fee you set for your students will vary, depending on travel and accommodation expenses and the margin of profit that you determine. Please call to discuss standard fees and the variables you will need to consider. Most sponsors will offer longer classes and perhaps a Beginning Class on Saturday and an Intermediate class on Sunday. Anie can arrange any reasonable schedule that meet's your student's needs.

Supplies

Anie brings in a deluxe "student kit" including torch head, tools and glass rod for each student to use during class, No additional purchase is necessary. However, most students will want to continue to make beads at home after they've acquired the skills in class. The Basic Starter Kit is a popular seller after class.

mill1.gif (261 bytes) If you are a Retailer, in the Bead World or the Stained Glass Industry, sponsoring a Beadmaking class always generates a profit for the host. We can help you establish yourself as a local source for beadmaking supplies, or you can profit without an investment in inventory. Call for your specific options regarding supply sales.

mill2.gif (250 bytes) If you are a Bead Society or an Independent group, you may qualify for a significant discount on sales after class. Call to hear about discount or rebate options.

mill4.gif (257 bytes) If you want to TAKE a class in your area, but do not wish to sponsor one, pass this information along to a local stained glass store or large bead store that offers other types of classes. Anie will be happy to discuss sponsorship advantages with them.

Promoting a Class in Your Area

View the sample flyer to see how easy it is to promote this class!! I can send one to you with your specific information, or use the one on the link, which you can copy and distribute.

BEADS make great advertising! I can supply you with sample beads and/or photos to show your potential students what they can expect to learn.

Copyright © 2003 Heritage Glass, Inc.
Last revised: March 31, 2011