Hi from SW England.

[SAGE]

Hi there everyone. I’m a complete rank beginner with an urge to try lampwork with boro glass and am just doing theory and research at the moment before I dive in and buy some kit. My girlfriend makes stained glass so I’ve got a bit of a glass related source of info and equipment there.

I’m in South West England and I’ve found that most of the introduction courses are soft glass related so I’m just working out whether it’s worth doing one of those to get a taster.

I’ve got so many questions but I’ll bet most of them have been asked here before so I’ll spend most of my time searching old posts before getting too active on the boards. Once I’ve got past that stage I hope to join in a bit more.

I want to make pipes and other interesting weird and arty stuff, but in the short term I’ll just be happy not to burn my hands off!

See you around :)

[raul24]

Hi Sage,

Hamilton Taylor Ltd/off-mandrel.com run boro courses, mostly beads and marbles. It would give you some basic skills but there in Scotland. Any questions PM me.

John

[Aaron Ellis]

Hello sage

Welcome to the best resource on the web. Sounds like you've already done some research. Keep at it.

[Icarus]

I would definitely take a soft glass course. Any hot glass is better than none at all. It may work a little differently than boro, but you'll pick up many techniques, get basic safety info, and might find that if you aren't looking to make pipes, soft glass is the thing for you.

One of the first things you might consider doing is picking yourself up a copy of Bandhu Dunhams "Contemporary Lampworking 1 & 2" (there is a third volume, and I can't say I've read it yet, but I don't think it's essential to a person starting off, so pick that up later). There is a ridiculous wealth of knowledge in there. It will answer damn near every question you have for the first few months, and even a majority of the questions you hadn't even thought to ask by that time. Each time you re-read it, you'll pick up even more.

Either way, welcome to the forum.

[SAGE]

Thanks everyone for the good advice and the nice welcomes - cheers :)

[SAGE]

One of the first things you might consider doing is picking yourself up a copy of Bandhu Dunhams "Contemporary Lampworking 1 & 2"

I've taken your advice and found a bargain copy on Ebay! Cheers :)