About
Learn about fine silver, silver foil, and dichroic glass while creating your own cosmic torchworked bead.
About this Class
Fine silver and dichroic glass are two of the most versatile and attractive applications that can be added to torchwork (often called lampwork or flamework) glass.
This class includes discussions about fine silver and its various forms and applications. Beyond silver's familiar shine, a variety of mystical looking colors and effects can be created with the heat of the torch. Also covered is silver foil, and dichroic glass - a glass that appears to be one color in reflected light, and another color when light shines through it.
While there are records of dichroic glass being used in some Roman drinking vessels, another version was developed by NASA to protect sensitive spacecraft instruments and humans from the harmful effects of cosmic radiation when in space! Of course, the version we use is somewhat different. It is very beautiful and sparkly and comes in a multitude of colors.
Project
Using what's been learned, you create a cosmic bead with the glittering stars and purple-blue atmospheres of faraway galaxies.
Materials
- Bring 20 pre-dipped mandrels to class.
- The materials fee included in the price of the class covers glass rods, silver foil, dichroic glass, and fuel for running the torch.
Prerequisites
Orientation to Torchwork and Introduction to Beadmaking.
Class Policies
Instructor
Michele Benson has a Bachelor of Arts in studio art from Potsdam State College in New York and a Master's in social work from Portland State University. After many years in the field of child protection, Michele retired and opened Sandhill Glass Studio (formerly Cuttlefish Glass Studio) where she taught Lampworking (torchwork) for more than 10 years until she moved to Washington state.
Michele has taught lampworking at Oregon Institute of Technology and Klamath Community College, and has written articles for Softflex Jewelry Company.
Michele is a long-time member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers and is a member of the Glass Dragons. She volunteers for the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County. Prior to Covid, she enjoyed traveling, scuba diving, and underwater photography.
