TANK fire + metal
Spring & Summer Classes - Flameworked Glass Beadmaking
NEW Play with Fire + Colour $40 per 40 Minute Lesson
Most Saturdays between 2pm and 5pm
Experience the magic of molten glass in this fast paced lesson. Expert teachers will walk you through the basics of using a torch to wind molten glass around a mandrel into simple beads. This class is all about the experience, a taste of working with fire, or simply something fun to do while visiting the Distillery District. Students choose a bead they like and we help them create it! Expect to make several beads that will be kiln annealed overnight for strength and ready the following day, or sent by post along with your sample bead from us. Runs most Saturdays starting June 14th through the summer. Reservations are possible.
Beginner Bead Making $285
4 Weeks - Wednesday evenings 6:30pm to 9:30 pm
June 25th to July 16th or
Aug 20th to Sept 10th
In this class Amy will teach the basics of shaping mandrel wound glass into beads using an oxygen propane torch. In this fun class learn to make traditional patterns and designs on beads based on ancient glass techniques (from Europe and Asia.) This class is geared to students with no experience or those looking to review fundamental flameworking techniques or to crafty folks looking to try something new and different. It is important to have a solid foundation and that's what this class is about. Each student can expect to finish with a collection of their own beads and a general knowledge of glass beadmaking, aka flameworking.
Hollow Beads $95
Sunday June 15th, 10am to 2pm + 2hrs Free torch time
Learn to make structurally sound great hollow beads! In this fun focused class Jill will walk students through the process leading you to satisfying results! Make both small and large hollows with thin even walls. You'll try several styles of hollows including some with colourful tube cores, small trapped "baby" beads inside and simple exterior decorations adding extra flair to these weightless pieces. Hollow beads can be very useful when designing jewelry in particular because they provide plenty of volume without the weight! This class includes a bonus two hours free torch time!
Focal Beads $95
Sunday June 22nd or July 20th, 10am to 2pm + 2hrs Free torch time
In this class Amy will teach students more advanced techniques showing how to execute more elaborate, detailed and funky designs in glass. Amy will focus on techniques such as stacked dots, encasing, using silver and palladium leaf, feathering, furrowing, stringer decoration and sculpted forms. Emphasis will be on learning a variety of techniques so that each student may take away something different and create something uniquely theirs. These beads are ideal as the "focal piece" in other jewelry projects. Some previous experience required. This class includes a bonus two hours free torch time!
Encasing $95
Sunday June 29th , 10am to 2pm + 2hr Free torch time
Learn how to encase your beads in layers of clear or coloured transparent glass. Find out how artists trap designs under the glass creating an appearance of floating patterns or images. Encasing adds an extra slick look to all your beads, playing on the wonderful optical quality of glass. You will learn thick layer encasing techniques in this workshop, making designs on a core bead, then magnifying them with a thick even layer of clear over top. From tiny dots, stripes and triangles to fun free flowing designs, the sky's the limit! Some experience required. This class includes a bonus two hours free torch time!
Studio Time Rental for Glass or Silversmithing
$15/hour or $120/10 hours (all TANK students automatically pay $10/hour)
Hours : Wed to Sun Noon to 5pm, Thursday evenings 6 to 10pm (or by appointment)
Tank fire + metal is equipped with 8 flameworking torches and 5 silversmithing stations. Studio time rental includes use of torches, kilns, mandrels and tools for beadmaking. Bench rental for metalsmithing includes use of basic hand tools, foredom, grinders, polishers, and bench pin. Renters must supply their own glass and or metal for projects. Call for details about where to purchase supplies. Pre-booking is required for all studio time.
Private Lessons with Amy Johnson
$40/hr (min 3 hr) or $225/day
Private lessons are a real benefit to students offering advantages such as one on one learning and the ability to create your own curriculum based on what interests you most. With Amy's vast skill set she is able to work with students helping them gain confidence in their own abilities in a fun, safe environment.
Amy graduated from the Sheridan College Crafts and Design Program and has taught throughout North America at schools and studios including Sheridan College, The Living Arts Centre, Algonquin College, The Bead & Button Show, The International Society of Glass Beadmakers Conference, Fusion Conference, and many other private studios including TANK fire + metal. It has been over 11 years since Amy started working with glass, and even longer since she has been making and selling her own jewelry. Her work has been published and shown widely throughout North America and Europe.
