Beginning glass beadmakers will discover a treasure trove of information, projects, and technique tips between the covers...The first 52 pages of this well-illustrated book covers a brief history of beads, the tools and materials needed to set up a studio, instruction in the basic skills---from dipping mandrels to lighting the torch to making a first bead---and directions on making a variety of bead shapes, including cylinders, cones, bicones, barrels, tabular beads, and cubes and rectangles.
Glass Beads keeps the new glass beadmaker progressing with numerous glass bead projects that require increasingly better-honed skills as you move along. Starting with the basic dot bead, Mehaffey shares technique tips on how to expertly position dots and make them consistent in size and shape. Flattening, poking, stacking and layering dots are also covered.
Using the dot as a foundation, Mehaffey then ramps it up and offers more challenging projects that allow the beadmaker to create beads that are more aesthetically pleasing as well. Her tutorials for making a simple petal bead, the more complicated bubble or eye bead, and masked dots make simple what might seem to be impossible to a new glass artist.
Mehaffey also provides the beginner with information about a full range of decorative processes, including frits, foils, enamels, pixie dust, goldstone, dichroic glass, baking soda, and etching. While obviously aimed at beginners, intermediate and more experienced beadmakers are likely to find some of Mehaffey's projects appealing if a process is a new one to the glass artist.
Two things really set this book apart from other instructional books: first, the excellent photos. The photographs are numerous and highly illustrative. The second plus is that the book lies flat when open. --The Glass Bead, xv, no. 4 (Fall 2008)
One of the most extensive guides to lampwork . . . Every wrap, roll, poke, smash, and twist has an accompanying photo. This is really a spectacular book. --BeadUnique
