Welcome to the
Blue Fire Beads Studio!
Each station is equipped with a Mini-CC, including the Crowley Marver, and a Creation Station, plus tools.
Studio view from front of store...
Studio view from rear of store...
Policies
If you would like to be added to the email list, email Mari with your name and address. Please read our policy for workshops.
Registering
for Workshops: To register, stop by the store, call us at 815.462.4900,
or e-mail us. A 50% deposit for the class is due at registration -
phone registration is accepted with a credit card. Your place in class
is guaranteed with your payment. We will keep your credit card number
on file and the remaining balance will be charged to that card 30 days
before the class.
You may make your deposit on a secure page on this website, just click
on the link under the catalog part of the navigation bar on the left
side of any page.
Class sizes are limited to a
maximum of eight students. Classes with less than six students will be
cancelled with a full refund, or applied to your next class, whichever
you prefer. We will maintain a wait list for classes that exceed
maximum capacity.
For full credit of your deposit, we must receive notice of cancellation at least 30 days before
the class starts. This 30 day period allows us to contact any people on
the wait list who could attend the class. Additionally, instructors are
booked based on our ability to fill the class.
GENERAL RULES
- As a courtesy to the instructors and other students, all cell phones must be turned off during workshops.
If you wish to give our store phone number as your contact number
during the workshop, please feel free to do so! It is 815.462.4900.
- All students must sign a waiver releasing the studio from liablility.
- No smoking is allowed inside the store/studio.
- No alcohol is allowed on the premises.
- No illegal drugs are allowed on the premises.
- No pets are allowed on the premises.
- No
toxic chemicals or substances are allowed in the Studio. All glass
powders must be in sealed containers. No open-air sifting is allowed or
fuming is allowed without first notifying Mari Johnson. For any
clarification regarding toxic materials, see Mari.
- ANY STUDENT WHO IS DEEMED DISRUPTIVE TO THE CLASS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE. NO REFUND WILL BE MADE.
Renting Studio Time
Our studio is located at the rear of our retail store in New Lenox, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. We currently have 8 workstations which are each equipped with a Mini CC, dididyium safety glasses, and a basic tool kit.
We stock a selection of Moretti/Effetre glass which is available for a nominal fee. Specialized tools and materials are available through special order. You are also welcome to bring your own glass and other tools. Many of our regular lampworkers store their glass with us to save schlepping it back and forth. ;-)
The glass studio is open during our regular business hours. It is advisable to call ahead to reserve space. 815.462.4900
Studio time rates are $10.00 per hour. This includes torch time, pre-dipped mandrels, use of the basic tool kit and safety glasses, and kiln time for annealing your lampwork beads.
For safety reasons, studio time is available only to those who have had at least one lampworking class. If you have never worked with glass or a torch we require that you take a class with Mari. Your first session will be monitored to ensure that you are comfortable using the equipment safely.
For information on PMC classes, click here.
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Brad Pearson's class has been cancelled.
We didn't have enough people sign up for Brad's class. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Refunds or credits for deposits are being addressed now. We hope to have Brad come back soon.
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JC Herrell in May!
JC Herrell "Enamels"
Sat. May 24 & Sun. May 25, 2008
10am - 6pm; Intermediate class. $350; Materials and lunch both days are included in the fee. (Maximum 8 students)
Join JC for this enamel-licous class where we will dust, sift and roll our way into achieving a variety of color effects. Topics to be covered in class include but are not limited to: pulling enameled stringer, faux rock finishes, color fades and encasement.
Call to reserve your spot at the bench! 815.462.4900
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Deb Crowley Fusing and Soft Glass Sculpture
Fusing
Fri. May 2, 2008 & Sat. May 3, 2008
10am - 3pm each day, $195 includes all materials and lunch both days!
In this beginning fusing class, Deb teaches a special project...a fused glass bracelet of 2 strand cabs that all match... it makes a stunning cuff bracelet that will wow you!
Fish Sculpting From Soft Glass
Sun. May 4, 2008
10am - 6pm, $195 includes all materials and lunch!
Call to reserve your spot at the bench! 815.462.4900
In this intermediate class Deb will share her secrets of 16 years on the torch of sculpting fish from soft glass without fear! Learn what makes it easy to make realistic fish beads. You will use Bullseye glass for this class which has a slightly stiff feel, but easier to use than Effetre (Moretti) when starting to sculpt. Deb will demonstrate each fish, and students will draw to win the fish made in class. You will start with a fun fantasy fish of your choice, learning to form fins, tails, lips, etc. Next you will do an actual fish using enamel patterning. After lunch you will make a Pink Tail Trigger with it's fancy long fins. You CAN do it! Deb also shows you how to make a hollow puffer fish as the finale. Lampwork experience a must for this class!
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Sabina Boehm "Butterfly and Flower Marbles and Pendants"
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20 & 21, 2008
10am - 6pm; Intermediate class. $350; Materials and lunch both days are included in the fee. (Maximum 8 students)
In
this class, students will explore embedding/imploding color into clear
boro to make flowers and butterflies. We will focus on different
ways to prep and layer your color for different affects. This class is
open to anyone with 6-months of flameworking experience. We will
discuss the fundamentals of boro color, focusing on each student's needs as we go.
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Trey Cornette - Scrollwork, Millifiori & More!
Sat. & Sun. Dec. 6 & 7, 2008
10am - 6pm; Intermediate class. $350; Materials and lunch both days are included in the fee. (Maximum 8 students)
In
this two day class we will explore some of the many possibilities
with 104 COE glasses. Our canvas will be large scale tab and tube
form beads upon which we will experiment with many types of
decoration. I will demonstrate my methods for forming large beads,
Scrollwork application, Millifori floral canes, working with
Reichenbach 108 (RAKU), and others. I will demonstrate some of the
beads I make, the processes involved and help you find your own
patterns and styles using these methods. We will also learn how to
pull our own Raku cane from the large kilo rods furnace workers use.
There will be plenty of time reserved specifically for individual
exploration and instruction. Bring your questions and ideas as the
class will evolve around them.
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Hotel Information
1. Hilton Garden Inn
18335 LaGrange Rd
Tinley Park IL
708-429-2266
2. Fairfield Inn
18511 W. Creek Dr
Tinley Park, IL
708-633-1050
3. Hampton Inn
18501 N Creek Dr
Tinley Park IL
708-633-0602
4. Sleep Inn Hotel
18420 Spring Creek Dr
Tinley Park
708-342-1700
5. Wingate Inn *** Discount rate of $79.99 + tax for Blue Fire Beads Students. (This is the one we recommend.They offer a free breakfast bar, too!)
18421 North Creek Dr
Tinley Park, IL 60477
708-532-9300
All
of these are near Interstate 80. The New Lenox exit (#137) of I-80 is 3
miles west of our store. Both the store and the exit are on
Rt.30/Lincoln Hwy.
Number 1
is on LaGrange Rd. (Rt 45) To get to Blue Fire Beads from this hotel,
from La Grange Rd., we find it easier to go south on LaGrange Rd to Rt.
30, turn right, continue on 3 miles til you see us just before the
Lowe's on the left side of the road. Go in the main entrance of the
shopping area, turn left and go behind the Wendy's to the building in
front of Cardinal Fitness. Our phone number is 815.462.4900.
Numbers 2 - 6
are on Harlem Ave. (Rt 43) To get to Blue Fire from Harlem Ave., get on
I-80 west and get off at exit 137. Turn right, go 3 miles, cross
Schoolhouse Rd. and look for the Lowe's, go in the main entrance of the
shopping area, turn left and go behind Wendy's to the building in front
of Cardinal Fitness. Our phone number is 815.462.4900.
Map of 2534 E Lincoln Hwy
New Lenox, IL60451-9712, US
