Introduction to Boro Pendants: Hearts

Use a torch to melt your loved one's heart!

Meeting Times

Sat, 1/13/2024 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Sat, 1/13/2024

Closed

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About

Make several torchworked heart pendants to keep or to share. The instructor will demonstrate two or three different methods for making them, and you'll have time to make them yourself with assistance from the instructor.

Class will be taught with borosilicate glass to make it easier for beginners, but techniques learned successfully transfer to soft glass, and variations needed for soft glass will be discussed.

You'll learn and practice shaping gathers of glass with thin-edged tools, mashers, and marvers, and cutting molten glass with shears. Additional techniques you'll practice are cold seals and making bails. The use of Handy Andy’s, bail biters, Peter’s Tweezers or similar tools to make bails also will be demonstrated, although the tools are not currently available in the studio boxes.

Details

Skill level: Beginner and intermediate (more advanced students are also welcome)

Materials

A $35 materials fee, included in the cost of the class, covers the use of studio tools, provides clear boro for puntis and gathers, and a sampling of additional colors of glass from which to choose.
You're encouraged to bring any of your scrap boro or your own tools.

Prerequisites

You should have taken at least one introductory class so you know the basics of safely lighting the torch, turning it off, and melting small gathers to make beads or marbles.

Class Policies

Ages 14 and up are welcome.
Closed-toe shoes and long pants are required in the Glass Studio at all times.
Torchwork students should wear natural cotton and tie back long hair.

BARN Policies

View BARN's Cancellation and Refund Policy
View BARN's current COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition Assistance is available. Fill out the application before registering.
Makerspaces like BARN can be noisy and cluttered, smell strongly, and have bright or flickering lights. We try to make accommodations when requested; the earlier you contact us, the more likely we can help. Please email accessibility@bainbridgebarn.org to find out more or request an accommodation.
For those who might need physical assistance, learn more about BARN's Companion Program.

Instructors or Guides

Laura Arns

Although she's a computer scientist by day, Laura Arns has been working with glass in various ways for more than 20 years during her free time. As a lampworker, she is somewhat unusual because she hasn't specialized but instead works with both borosilicate and soft glass to create beads, marbles, blown ornaments, sculptures, goblets, and more. She particularly enjoys collaborative projects with artists and artisans who work in other mediums. Over the years, she's had the opportunity to learn from numerous well-known lampworkers. A former college professor, she's looking forward to more teaching in BARN's Glass Arts Studio.