Experience Required: None - The perfect class to get started.
Type of Class: Demonstration and hands-on project
Class Description: Get into the exciting world of torchworked glass art, not sure what that is? Don't worry we'll show you and help you begin to master borosilicate. The ultimate glass for making contemporary glass sculpture, marbles and pendants. In this 5 hour class, instructor Val Oswalt-De Waard will provide an introduction to the safe set up and operation of professional grade torches, including all the hoses, couplings, oxygen and propane pressure gauges. Students will have an opportunity to experiment with color, while creating pendants and small solid forms.
Safety: Please do NOT wear open toed shoes or sandals. Long pants are recommended but not mandatory. Natural fiber clothes are best, cotton, linen, etc. Long hair should be tied back. Safety glasses must be worn, glasses are provided in class if needed.
Tools & Materials Included: Each student will have the use of a complete workstation, including torch, hand tools and borosilicate glass.
Additional Tools & Materials: None - Just show up and have fun!
Pros : Val is a great instructor and very personable. The class was fun and we didn't burn the building down or ourselves!!!
Val was great in showing individually how to fix your mistakes without taking over your project.
Cons : I would have liked a chalkboard with the instructions for the pendant step by step. By the end of the class, I was getting tired and my memory was "leaking" (yes, I'm a senior citizen) Val was great in going over the steps in the demonstration. I struggled to remember the order of when and were to attach the temporary handles and what needed to happen in between. Val was very responsive to answer questions and show you individually how to do something.... but sometimes you just want to do it yourself.
Other Thoughts : It seems like its an expensive hobby to get started with, so I don't know if I'll do it by myself...but another class would be interesting.
Pros : Learned a lot and got over jitters of working with a torch. Beautiful pieces can be made, even just learning. I enjoyed the class very much.
Val was very informative in techniques and things to stay safe. And I really am glad I listened!
Cons : Needed another hour or better direction on timing for projects. The last piece done did not have enough time to cool properly and by the time I got home it had cracked, even though it was wrapped in a piece of clothing.
Pros : The class was amazing. The instructor was terrific and showed us so many different techniques. She not only showed us different techniques but how you could set something like this up at home. She answered everyone's questions and made sure we really understood what she was saying. I loved the class and would recommend this class to anyone thinking about trying something like this. I will definitely take another class.
Cons : I wish the class had been longer. The only other con I have is that Delphi Glass is just too far away. (Maybe a good thing :-) )
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