Hollows & Blown Vessels

What a wonderful week I had leaning how to make beautiful, lightweight hollow glass beads and adorable miniature vessels! We worked with soft soda lime glass and learned how to work up to a nice, uniform round bead. The format allowed rich discussion of glass brands, compatibility, and selection of colors for success. We used a variety of colors and made a variety of little vessels. I appreciate having the (small) tools list well in advance so I could be prepared. We came back to gather later each day after we'd had the whole day to practice what we learned. Terry and Marjorie are excellent, friendly teachers and facilitated a very organized class for us to build our skills from the beginning of the week to the end. Can't wait until my next class with them!

                                                                ~ S.O.

Taking this online class, "Treasures from Glass and Fire" with Terry Hale and Marjorie Langston, has been just the thing I needed! After spending a year, working alone in my studio, I needed to see my glass peeps and to get a jolt of inspiration. The class has been super... very well organized and presented with ample time for questions and interaction between class members. It has served to remind me, once again, what is so special about JCCFS... how these classes feed our thirst for continued learning and like-minded camaraderie.

                                                                        ~ A.M

Marjorie and Terry are extraordinary instructors with many years of experience with glass. They shared tips and tricks - like how to make the vessel handles look alike...and even demonstrated how to make a tiny vessel stopper. I appreciated how they began the class using basic skills, and from there added more complexity each day. It was also helpful to observe each of them demo using slightly different methods, and students could experiment in our own studios and adapt these methods to suit ourselves. As much as I enjoy the in-person classroom experience, the virtual classroom has the advantage of each student having an "up-close" visual of the demo, allowing me to see all the details I would otherwise have missed. I sincerely hope that John C. Campbell Folk School continues to have more LessonFace classes with Marjorie and Terry in the future, because I am all ready to take the next one!!

                                                                       ~ M.F.

 It's sad not to be able to be at the Folk School in person, but I'm so glad you have decided to present some virtual classes! I am taking Marjorie Langston and Terry Hale's glass beadmaking class this week and it has been awesome! One of the few good things that have come out of this past year has been the discovery that so much can be done with virtual classes!  There's no question that I'll be back at the Folk School in person when I'm able, but I would like to hope that online classes will continue to be a part of the curriculum.  I will definitely be registering for more of them!  Thank you Folk School for giving us this opportunity, and thank you Terry and Marjorie for being such fabulous teachers and sharing your expertise and comaraderie with us in this incredible class!

                                                                        ~ M.K.

This week I took the Campbell glass bead class led by Terry Hale and Marjorie Langston.  I've been making lampwork beads for 10 years but every time I've tried to make hollow beads or the more complicated hollow vessels, I've failed spectacularly.  Because they're difficult to make, I expected to have some very moderate success.  However,  I achieved more than that.  Terry and Marjorie started us out with the basics and then built on them with each demo.  I am so pleased with the beads and vessels I made.  The virtual format is wonderful for me because there's no crowding around with other people to see demoes.  Each student has a close up view.   I hope the Folk school continues these virtual format learning opportunities even after Covid is gone.  I do also love coming to Campbell for hands on classes too.  I think it's good to have a mix of both available to learners.  Thank-you to Marjorie and Terry and to the folk school.

                                                                          ~ V.T.

yes, I am a lampworker with decades under my belt. When I watch another Lampworker work, I always pick up tips, and push myself to try a different technique . This class with Marjorie and Terry has been so much fun.  They have the camera views, lighting, and internet savy  to make the class seamless. And I learn so much as they talk through a technique, or problem.  I love these Lessonface classes, being able to re-watch videos is something you don't get in an in-person setting . The class starts in the morning,  and by afternoon I am at my own torch, comfortably in my own studio to try what I have just seen. As a bonus, we are sending pictures in of yesterdays work to Terry for a show and tell in the evening.......I love seeing others' work. It is a valuable tool in the learning process. The teachers are such great  examples of the excellence at John C. Campbell School and Lessonface.  I highly recommend the online classes. 

                                                                   ~ J.M.B.

I am so pleased I signed up for this class. Its amazing how well it works. Great interaction with Terry and Marjorie and the other students. I really didn't realize how much I could learn online. The visuals are great. I am pushed each day to try new skills that I didnt know I needed. I have been twice to John C Campbell. Its very helpful to be able to attend  this way, especially since I live 2 plane rides away. I also find it helpful that the class is recorded and that I can go back and look again at the class or ask questions when I am stumped.  I hope you do this in the future as well. It sure fits my lifestyle.

                                                                       ~ C.C. 

I'm taking Terry Hale and Marjorie Langston's glass beadmaking class, with several friends I've met at their in-person classes at the Folkschool as well as several beadmaking friends from Atlanta where I live.  I love being there and taking those classes, but there is something really special about being with them even virtually.  And the demos are fantastic!  Everyone gets the best seat in the house, with their fabulous camera set-up!  We see all the details with perfect clarity!  I really hope we can continue with some combination of in-person learning with the Zoom when we are finally able to get together again!  I miss them all and I miss the Folkschool!  It is SUCH a wonderful place - magical!  Thank you for this!! 

                                                                      ~ L.S.

What a joy to be able to return to the John C Campbell Folk School even if it is just virtually. This Lessonface platform is allowing us to visit with old friends and learn new glass magic tricks by the masters: Marjorie Langston and Terry Hale. It is so good to be with everyone and feel the Folk School community vibe. Hearing about all the improvements in the studio makes me homesick for a Folk School experience. Now if I just can get my dot mojo going I will be a happy!

                                                                    ~ J. L.L.