Need Mega help in what I must have

Elizabug2u · #1 2010-09-08, 4:42pm

Hello!

I took a lampworking class about 2-3 yeas ago and loved

it but due to this that & the other never got to spend much time doing any work after the class ended. I am now hoping to set up a studio in my home just to have fun and create pretty things.

I would love to know what are must haves just to have a little studio as a hobby.

I need to know absolutely everything as I am just starting out on my research. Do not be afraid to offend me with the simplicity of your suggestions. I know nothing!

Thank you!

Elizabug2u · #2 2010-09-08, 4:53pm

Just found this site. Does it look complete?

http://www.ehow.com/how_5093405_crea...glass-art.html

Elizabug2u · #3 2010-09-08, 6:22pm

Well I think this would be a great kit to start with.

http://www.sundanceglass.com/kitslamp3.htm

Now to search for ventilation.

tmmopar73 · #4 2010-09-08, 6:31pm

thats the one i started with .got rid of my hothead torch couple of years ago and went to a propane oxygen mix.think about a kiln though you really need a kiln to make your glass stable.read about the annealing process.unless you have a friend with a small kiln.
hope this helps
tammy
welcome to lampwork etc!!!

Elizabug2u · #5 2010-09-08, 6:40pm

Thank you Tammy!

I saw a kiln at my local shop that reminded me of a tool box but so far I have not found any like that. I should be able to get away with a small one. Any suggestions on which one?

What are the pros of the propane oxygen mix?

whitebunnystudio · #6 2010-09-08, 6:56pm

My suggestion if you are going to do beads and potentially small sculpture go with the chili pepper bead annealer (it looks like a tool box) it has a digital controller and I purchased mine as a replacement for an old Jen Ken kiln just recently and love it! The least expensive place to buy one was two lasses glass classes in lakeland, they were even cheaper than purchasing directly from mfg. I had another Jen Ken kiln for many years and loved that one too. Also go ahead and invest in a propane/o2 torch you will be far more pleased with the results. I used a hot head for a while but wished I had just bit the bullet earlier and bought the propane/oxy set up. I am mechanically challenged and had no idea what the heck to do to set up a studio and I was able to do it with some research. Also if you happen to feel really mechanical or have a mechanical friend you can easily and cheaply build a bead annealing kiln, there are some great instructions you can check out on you tube just search for kiln building. You can get the parts fairly inexpensively from Ebay and really it can save you a ton of money (If I had known how easy it was I would have built the chili pepper kiln versus purchasing one) Good ventilation is also really a big priority!!

Janetlee · #7 2010-09-08, 7:41pm

First things list:Check with fire codes to see if you can have hobby. Also check your home insurance too.
Learn about Ventilation , a must !!!
Didy glasses,
Fire extinguisher
Kiln(for stable beads)
torch, oxygen , propane or natural gas,
Flashback arrestors if using propane.
Burn creme, tweezers.
Lighting
And remember POOP(propane on, oxygen on, oxygen off then propane off)
And then your glass storage, and glass
I use a welders apron just in case glass drops in my lap.
Hope this helps.
Janet

Elizabug2u · #8 2010-09-09, 3:10pm

Thank you Whitebunnystudio but for now I am going to hold off on an annealer. Maybe if I get really good at this by Thanksgiving when my Dad is here for a visit he could help me build one.

Thank you Janet! I like the POOP tip and welders apron idea.

I am looking at getting a hothead but have heard they are very noise. Can anyone give me an idea of how noise. For example washing machine of kilter load or running water loud? Hehe. Thanks!

LynieG · #9 2010-09-09, 3:17pm

Awesome poop tip - I am just now switching from the hothead to the propane/oxy setup and hadn't even thought about the order to switch on and off at! THANK YOU!

Elizabug2u · #10 2010-09-09, 3:18pm

Okay so I just had the brilliant idea to search for video on youtube using the hothead and the noise seems bearable. I think I am going to go for it and order Kit #3! I am a litttle.... make that a lot nervous to make the wrong decision but I also do not want to but a lot of money into a hobby that I am just starting.

Torch&Marver · #11 2010-09-09, 4:40pm

If you're not buying an annealer, I would strongly suggest you look into Japanese Annealing Bubbles (ArtCoInc. sells them) - http://artcoinc.com/annealing_bubbles.php

They are far superior to other media for cooling down beads in a slow manner. They also don't tend to leave the patterns a fibre blanket will if you accidentally insert the bead too warm and they're very easy to insert a bead through without having to "push" it through the media.

Get a large tin can (large cookie can or paint can) and line it with fibre blanket, then fille with annealing bubbles. It's portable too so you can torch at a friend's or another studio and take your own stuff home for annealing (when you do get an annealer).

Elizabug2u · #12 2010-09-09, 5:20pm

I planned on just using vermiculite. Is there pros or cons on either of these products?

Janetlee · #13 2010-09-09, 5:51pm

You are welcome for the POOP tip. I used a fire blanket for my first beads, but soon got a kiln. Good Luck and have fun.
Janet

Torch&Marver · #14 2010-09-09, 6:40pm

The pros of the annealing bubbles are those already mentioned and further outlined on the link I posted.

Good luck with your setup!

Mitosis Glass · #15 2010-09-10, 8:18pm

I've been using just vermiculite with the odd time that I batch anneal (that's when the beads don't go into a kiln right away), and with the studio being cool or even cold I find that turning the crockpot on high keeps things nice and warm. I unplug it at the end of the torch session.

I've heard the annealing bubbles are fabulous and everybody loves them, but if you're starting on a budget then the vermiculite is fine also.

A good torch that won't break the bank is a HotHead torch, but do keep in mind that unless you're screwing the small 1 lb. gas tanks to it, all other tanks should be stored outside. You can connect hoses to the tank, run them through a window (or even the wall, then stuff it with steel wool so mice don't get in) and hook them up to the torch that way.

There's all sorts of info in the safety section about propane, and also about bringing it in from outside if need be.

Ventilation is a must and there are tips on that here as well. Some people have been able to jerry-rig some pretty great setups using either found materials or cheap ones.

Somewhere on here there is also a tutorial on building your own annealer, although it might be better to get one with a digital control so you can control the ramping up and down.

Fire extinguisher definitely! Didy protective glasses absolutely. Don't use enamels without using a p-100 safety mask, and I've also heard it recommended that you use one for frits also (although probably a lot of people don't....) I use a mask all the time since my bench is chest high and I stand with my nose right near all the dusts and blech all the time. Even the best ventilation wouldn't help me.

cheng076 · #16 2010-09-11, 8:54am

If you think back to the class you took, remember what tools and materials you used there. I usually recommend not getting a 'kit' to start out. Most of the kits have a. stuff you will end up not using, b. stuff that you can fine substitutes for around the house, c. glass in colors you may not like or ever use again, d. tools of lesser quality that you will replace later anyway, e. not have tools you may need to do the type beads (or...?) that you want to do. I know several well known professional glass workers/teachers that would supprise you at the small number of tools they actually have on their bench.

Talk to some local glass shops that have classes (or post here on LWE) or email them and see what tools they provide to their beginning students; usually just the basics to do beads and get started, no frills. Talk with friends and decide what type of glass you will work in... Effettre, Cim, DH, Gaffer, Lausha, BE, etc. and/or what COE you want to use. You can base these decisions on the colors/effects you see and love on items others have made and the glass they used. This is important because as you collect more and more glass colors it will sort of restrict you to that COE range unless you have lots of $$$. You do not want to mix different COE glasses. EVER!

There are several posts on LWE and Wet Canvas that talk about tools and supplies that can be made or scrounged from household items. Buy the best tools you can afford... they will work better and last longer and be easier to use. Go hang out with other lampworkers and see/try what they use. Not necessarily a class but a quick check of materials needed at your level of experience. Kilns, annealers, and other tools are often easily made at home if you are somewhat handy with hand tools. A spouce, relative, BF or whatever that is handy with their hands is also a good place to weedle help making tools.

Comment on Fishbulbs post. While correct about using dry powdered enamels enamels can be gotten already mixed with binder/oils so a mask is not really necessary. Remember that all glass materials including bead release are a silica product and if worked dry where dust is airborne then a mask is necessary.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction. PJH

Elizabug2u · #17 2010-09-11, 2:29pm

Thank you all for you help and suggestions. I did order a kit yesterday so hopefully it will have mostly useful things in it. I am going to start out with a hothead torch. If I get really good and feel I want to move up then I know what the next quarters bonus will be for!

I have already told my DH, sister and mom that I will need tools and they would make wonderful Christmas gifts.

Question is can I wait that long? I will need to work on perfecting using stringers and dots so maybe.

tgslampwork · #18 2010-09-11, 11:50pm

Elizabeth - there's excellent resources right in your backyard! There is a St. Louis Lampwork Society - the folks out there are AWESOME and welcoming people. Google them. Also, there's a bead store/studio on Olive, Glasshopper. Stu and Leslie are AWESOME and sell glass supplies also. It's uberawesome to be able to TOUCH and LOOK at the glass in person (and buy by the rod) when your starting and figuring out what you like.

Stu is on LE as are many of the St. Louis lampworkers. They frequently get together and again, are an incredible group of folks. I keep trying to get them to move St. Louis closer to Chicago - but so far I've been unsuccessful

Kim

Elizabug2u · #19 2010-09-12, 10:29am

Thank you Kim,
Glasshopper is actually where I took my class at 2 years ago. I think the instructor's name was Anne. However with the hours they have I am unable to make it to them very often or more like never. I am hoping to get over there tomorrow as God willing and no one calls in sick I have all our shifts covered. (DH and I own a biz.) I need a place that I can go to at any hour so that is why I am hoping my studio works out.