Glass School

What You Will Learn

In this three-session course, Amanda Simmons will demonstrate how to develop vessel-making skills for more extensive-scale projects. Amanda will start by explaining the many possibilities of glass powders and bold mark-making to enhance your large forms, followed by developing your handmade moulds using vermiculite board to create unique vessel shapes not seen in commercially available moulds.

You will explore how to change your firing schedules to adjust for your pieces' size and experience the interactive nature of visual slumping. In the last week, Amanda will demonstrate how to coldwork your pieces, from cutting the rims off the vessels to grinding and coldworking the forms with your studio equipment and by hand.

Join us to scale up your glass vessels!

See more of Amanda's work here: www.amandasimmons.co.uk

Amanda Simmons Large Powder Vessels Materials List.pdf

Skill Level:

This is a great follow on to any of the courses Amanda has taught with Glass School (or other venues). Otherwise some coldworking experience would be beneficial. The size of kiln that Amanda uses on the course is approx. 1m x 80cm but all projects can be adapted for smaller kilns which Amanda will help with.

Duration and Place:

Session times:

• Wednesday 2nd October 2024 - 5.30 pm-7 pm UK time (1.5 hours)
• Wednesday 9th October 2024 - 5.30 pm-7 pm UK time (1.5 hours)
• Wednesday 16th October 2024 - 5.30 pm-7 pm UK time (1.5 hours)

Course Summary:

• You will work at a larger scale than small and medium vessels
• Learn how glass behaves in different aperture forms
• Develop your glass powder mark making skills
• Create a mould from vermiculite board
• Understand firing schedules for fusing and slumping larger blanks
• Coldwork larger vessels

Workshop Outcomes:

• Two forms will be made on this course;
• A large round vessel (over 25cm diameter, sizes will be dependent on student kilns) and a more organically shaped vessel.
• Two unique moulds will be made for each slump.

How it Works: 

• The course is made up of three live and interactive online sessions using the Zoom platform. These can be found in the navigation panel.
• Amanda will give a step-by-step tutorial with demonstrations, and you will have ample opportunity to ask her questions during the live class
• Each week they will demonstrate a technique for you to try between sessions
• A member of the Glass School team will also be in the Zoom class to assist you and Amanda
• Mix with Amanda and other students on our dedicated community page, open for the duration of the course. Then join our exclusive Glass School UK Online Glass Community Facebook group to continue to mix with those who have attended any of our online masterclasses
• A materials list is provided in the course navigation panel, so you can purchase what you need to create your pieces during the course. You don’t need absolutely everything on this list to be successful, Amanda will discuss different ways to reach our technical goals

We believe that this is the best way to get the very most from the course, but if this doesn’t suit you that’s fine: - If you can’t get to your studio, you can still learn the techniques and benefit from Amanda's extensive knowledge without making the pieces during the course itself.

This is a live online masterclass, but in case a student experiences issues with internet connection during the live class, a recording of each live session will be available to view until two weeks after the final session. This cannot be downloaded or shared and is only available for this limited time. By participating you agree to be recorded for this purpose.

These recordings will be available in the course navigation panel. 

What to Prepare:

• You will need a computer, tablet, or phone with a camera and microphone in order to join the online classroom. If you are unfamiliar with using Zoom then please take some time to look at our guide, available in the navigation panel. 
• You should have a reliable internet connection, fast enough to make video calls or stream videos
• Please read the Student Participation Agreement
• Ensure that you have checked the materials list and purchased any materials you may require 
• A pen and paper to take any notes. 
• We restrict the class size to 25 people
• We teach using Bullseye Glass (CoE90)

Inclusivity:

We are committed to maintaining a respectful community where all our students can learn and develop their full potential, within a safe environment.

If you have a disability or any specific requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us prior to your lesson so we can accommodate you.

*Price excluding VAT is £112.50. The correct tax will be calculated at checkout based on your location.

Cancellations up to 2 weeks before the course receive a 90% refund, after that date, a 50% refund will be given up to one week prior to the course, and no refund is given for cancellations after this time. In order to keep class costs low for all, we make no exceptions to this policy. In order to cancel your place on the course please contact [email protected]