The cost of the course includes all materials, we also provide an exciting dining experience either in the local cafe or with specialty sandwiches from the deli, depending on your dietary requirements and food preferences.  And plenty of tea.  The studio has very recently undergone a full re-fit, and now has individual torching stations to accomodate five people. 

In the beginning lampwork lesson you will learn to make beads using a Minor torch, the most popular torch for making soft glass beads, in a spacious studio with individual attention as all courses offered are strictly a 'one-on-one' basis with Mike Poole (BA.Hons), who has been in  art education for over 30 years and has been a beadmaker for over five years. 

You will have an introduction to the history of glass beadmaking, a survey of safety procedures and setting up a torch,  a demonstration of how to make beads and then the opportunity to make your own beads.  All materials and safety equipment are provided for the course, you will end up with a number of glass beads of your own making to be annealed and then posted on to you.  Day or evening sessions are available, please enquire for times to suit you.

If you have already learned to make beads and wish to expand or refine your skills, you can book a session of tuition tailored to your needs.  We also offer torch time for those who wish to simply make their own beads but don't have a torch setup.  Experience with beadmaking is required, torch time does not include tuition.

All courses follow the guidelines for teaching as set out by the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers). 

The studio is located in Grumpy's Mill in Todmorden, on the Yorkshire/Lancashire border.  The studio is not open to the public, visits may be arranged upon request.

Five-hour beginner course - £140

Intermediary tuition or torching time -  £30/hour

Torch time for past students - £15/hour (includes materials)

For the full course outline in MS Word format click HERE.

For the full course outline in PDF format click HERE

For booking please visit us at any bead fair or email us for a time more convenient to you.

We recommend the following for lampworking supplies:  Tuffnell Glass for setting up your studio, Blujacks for frit (on eBay.co.uk), BeaDreamers for bead cleaning tools (can't say enough about how great they are)