Jenelle Aubade-Caracas

One day I was surfing the net and bumped into SortaFlowering Designs featuring some great tutorials that instantly became a must have.

SortaFlowering Designs is run by Jenelle Aubade-Caracas and her husband Daniel Caracas.

The beads are gorgeous and the pdf tutorials are excellent! Pay them a visit. You definitely will not be sorry :)

Our Studio:

Susanne Clarke of Scarab Glass Works has been wonderful at hosting the teachers willing to come here.

So far Kim Osibin and her wonderful helper Toni Lutman have been here 4 times.

The KING OF HEAT ... Jim Smircich was here mid April. EVERY beginning lampworker should take Jim's class. After 3 years of making beads I now know the importance of HEAT CONTROL.

Our first crack at Boro with James Daschbach from Lily Rose Beads

Michael Barley Oh my gosh what can I say but SUPERB!

Then the fun interesting magnificent techniques taught to us by Sherry Bellamy of Orca Beads.

Then when you think you know it all along comes Trey Cornette. What a great teacher not to mention an all round nice guy.
We all LOVE his new brass tools!
An absolute must ... I kid you not.
All of us who bought the set from the class agree we can probably toss our forming tools because this will do the trick.

Visit the class gallery showing a bit of Trey at work in our class.

For those of you new to lampworking it is well worth your time to take these classes. There is no better way to get involved in a craft than seeking out the experts in the field.

A warning to all lampworkers
Ullja Kuntze & her fraudulent charges against lampworkers.

It is really exciting to know that Fresno Lampworkers are growing into a bigger bunch. For over 3 years a solid core of us have enjoyed getting together and learning from Susanne Clarke owner of Scarab Glass Works, Kim Osibin, Jim Smirchich, Michael Barely, James Daschbach, Sherry Bellamy, Trey Cornette and one another.

As more people are exposed to the Art of gorgeous lampwork beads the more interest is shown in making them. It took me only one try to be HOOKED.

I urge all of you in the area to take advantage of the classes offered at the Scarab. They are so worth the time, effort and money. I can not tell you how many crappy beads I DID NOT make because of the tips and tricks I learned from these great teachers and other classmates.

We are a lively fun group ... so join us in the fun.
You will not be sorry :)

COMING EVENTS AND CLASSES:

Hosted at Scarab Glass Works
Contact Susanne:
(559.486.5480) for sign up.

Open Flame Day ...
Saturday Dec 12th 9 A.M. til 5 P.M.
Pot Luck ... we have been exposed to excellent pots so far :)
Bring your surface mix torch, tools and glass. Enjoy the enthusiasm of all who are always more than willing to share their knowledge, tips and tricks. All this for a tiny tariff of $30.
Hope to see you all there! Beginning Beads
Sat. Jan 9th and Sun the 10th from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.

This class is completely reformatted. All students will use the surface mix oxy./propane torches and the instruction time has been doubled to cover a broad spectrum of bead techniques. Learn the essentials of shaping, working with reduction frits, metal leaf and foil use, encasing methods for adding depth, creating handmade canes for special effects and more. Even students having taken a previous beginning class will find this course well worthwhile. Tuition is $225 which includes ALL materials.

Kerry Fuhr
Will be teaching Sat. Jan. 16th and Sun. 17th 2010 from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. and the class is $475

Sherry Bellamy
Will be teaching her second class in Fresno at the Scarab on March 20th and 21st 2010 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. All of us who took her first class loved it. I for one will be attending again. Class cost $475.

Leah Fairbanks
Will be here for 3 days Nov. 5th, 6th and 7th 2010 class cost will be $700