Southeastern Michigan Glass Beadworkers Guild

RESOURCES

ORGANIZATIONS:

International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB)

West Michigan Glass Society - Setup in Kalamazoo, WMGS was founded in 2002 by a local group of glass artists. Our current membership includes 175 area emerging and professional glass artists, students and friends of glass who love the magical material of glass and the mysterious process of learning to shape glass to reflect our creativity. We sponsor public events designed to increase the community awareness and exposure to glass art. We offer glass art classes and workshops in glass blowing, lampworking, stained glass, mosaics, fused glass and sandblasting.

Other Guilds:

Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild - meets the Thursday of the month at 7pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 1669 West Maple, Birmingham, MI . Dues are $25/yr. Organizes the Bead Bonanza Show in Southfield twice a year, typically in March and October. Call for more info 586-997-7043.
Saginaw Valley Bead Society meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Grace Lutheran Church at 4690 Tittabawassee Road, Saginaw, MI, 48604 from 6:30--8:30pm Contact:
Traverse City Group
Glass Artists of West Michigan - Organize the West Michigan Bead Expo in Grand Rapids.

FORUMS:

PUBLICATIONS:

LOCAL FLAMEWORKING CLASSES

University of Michigan-Dearborn Flameworking program - Room 251, Science building. Ongoing beginning/intermediate level flameworking classes with an emphasis on beadmaking using soda lime glass and minor burners. Lynx, Bethelehem, and Carlisle burners available to try. Marvering (e.g. shaped beads), casing, raking, stringers, twisties, ribbon cane, marbles, hollow beads, the use of leaf and foils, Thompson enamels, reduction frits, optic molds, and dichroic glass are all covered. Materials including effettre (morretti) glass and tools provided. Importance of glass compatibility, eye protection, and annealing discussed.

Students must be at least 13 years of age. Courses generally run 8--12 weeks, usually about $25 per session, during the fall and winter. In the summer nationally known flameworkers are brought in to teach weekend and weeklong seminars. These are nice, thorough introductory courses, with the opportunity to try a lot of tools, techniques and materials before investing in your own. They fill up fast, though, so don't wait around to register. Contact Don Miller for more information.

Glass Academy in Dearborn has a state-certified training program in Michigan, the Glass Academy provides students with a "unique opportunity to cultivate skills in the glass arts: glassblowing, stained glass, lampworking, and neon using state-of-the-art equipment and top-notch instruction from local artisans. Hobby, second income, or retirement business, our programs will train and prepare the student so they can proceed to whatever level they choose."

Member Stores with Classes and Supplies

Bead Gallery owned by member, Julie VanDyke, is at 307 & 309 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone is 734-663-6800, Store hours: Mon - Sat, 10-7; Sun, 12-5. Beading classes are held in the store.

Brighton Beads and More owned by members Paul and Nancy Garber is at 9850 East Grand River, Brighton Michigan 48116. Ph. remains 810/844.0066. Hours: Tues.-- Fri. 10-6; Sat.--Sun. 10-4. Teaches a broad range of classes on beading techniques, PMC, wireworking, enameling, fusing.

Other Stores:

A2 Arts, 700 State Circle, Ann Arbor MI 48108. 734/622.8112. Carries complete line of Glass Alchemy, Northstar, Borostix, and Prism colored borosilicate rod; borosilicate dichro sheets and pattern, (including tubing!), patterned cane, Eigenschaft borosilicate tubing and rod (says this brand is the best), and tools for the lampworker. Upcoming product lines include colored (boro) tubing, and `inhouse' manufactured clear rod and tubing. No soft glass! They don't stock kilns or torches as a rule, but are happy to order for you, saving you shipping costs. Accept cash, checks, credit cards; may order as little as one rod of a color. The proprietor, Matt Cyrulnik, stresses that this is a warehouse; hours are nominally 10--6 M-F but they would very much appreciate a call ahead of time. (updated dec04)

Abeada Corp Findings, semi-precious stone beads, pearls, sterling silver & 14/20 gold fill findings and beads, and supplies to string with your beads. Excellent selection of pearls by the hank, cloisonne, and taiwan semi-precious. Wholesale only.

Armstrong Tool & Supply Co. Inc. - 31747 W. Eight Mile, Livonia MI 48152; 800-446-9694 or 248-474-1600, Fax: 248-474-2505; Hours: M, Th: 8:30--6:00; T, W, F: 8:30--5:00; Sa: 9:00--2:00. Offers 10% discount to guild members.

Busia's Beads, 2909 Biddle St, Wyandotte, MI 48192, 734/282.7534. Open Mon--Sat 10--6. Don't let the hideous web page fool you---they have a great selection of czech pressed glass, which we all had a great time buying at our 2003 picnic. Says they're getting in swaroski, too.

Canterbury Glass in Pontiac carries some Morretti/Effrettre, and a lot coe 90 tested compatible. Primarily a stained glass shop.

Delphi Glass, located in Lansing MI, carries a wide range of tools, glass, books and supplies. Featured products include Bullseye, Uroboros, System 96, Wasser and CBS Dichroic, kilns and accessories, molds of all shapes and sizes, bead making kits and tools, books, torches and kits, Effetre, borosilicate glass from Glass Alchemy, Northstar and Simax, and PMC+, PMC3 with new shaping and firing tools. The store also teaches many classes. Call 800-248-2048 or visit the link above for more information.

Findings, located in Ann Arbor, "is blessed with an outstanding staff, each of whom brings her own creative spirit to our space. We invite you to come and browse for inspiration, share your projects and ideas, take a class, or use us for help when you have questions."

Pam's Bead Garden, formerly Plymouth Beading, 550 Forest Ave, Ste 1, Plymouth, MI 48170 734-451-7410, ``where no bead is a weed''. Retail, seed beads, beads by the piece. Stringing & beadweaving classes. Owner: Pam Nichols. Don't bother taking your tax ID, because they won't honor it.

Priya Imports, Inc. Findings, semi-precious stone beads, pearls, sterling silver & 14/20 gold fill findings and beads, and supplies to string with your beads. Specializes in Bali silver, Indian faceted stones (e.g. amethyst, citrine, tourmaline, garnet). Wholesale only, $100 minimum.

Seasonal Expressions has several stores in South Lyon, Commerce, Howell, Southgate, Canton, and Freeland. See website for more details.

These are just a few bead stores and is not meant to be complete. For an exhaustive listing of Michigan Bead stores, try this link. Glassact does not vouch for the accuracy of this list.

Don't miss our

Winter Wonders Holiday Glass Show

on Saturday, Nov 5, 10am-5pm at the Birmingham Unitarian Church.

Details....