If you could choose

[Coffeebean]

one lampworking book and one dvd to buy, which ones would you get and why?

[Starrr]

Hands down.. Corina's "Passing the Flame" It has alot of info on pretty much everything with great step by step pictures, and lots of eyecandy. I've had it since it was first released and I still go back to it all the time, re-reading and playing with different techniques. It well worth the price, you won't be disappointed.
Edie

[doesdoes]

Without a doubt: "Passing the Flame" :)
Jenny

[Quicksilverart]

For a beginner- Beads of Glass by Cindy Jenkins. It has the techniques of many different glass artists which I used as a workbook to go through. It has techniques for the beginner as well as the advanced lampworker and tons of pictures of many different artists work. I've had it for years, but am always discovering pictures of artists whose work I had not noticed before but am now interested in. Like Akihiro Okama.
Video for begginer- Kate Fowles first 2 videos. Excellent techniques taught as well as great practicle advice on making frit, making your own mandrels, etc.
For more advanced- Sue Ellen Fowler's video. It just makes you drop your jaw....she makes it look so easy. And for her, I'm sure it is!

[JanMD]

If you'd like to read reviews of glass beadmaking books, videos, and DVDs, see: http://sgb-midatlantic.org/book_reviews.html

If you'd like to contribute a review, send a note to feedback@sgb-midatlantic.org.

I have just looked at the 2005 The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking by Kimberley Adams (Lark Books, 2005) and it is quite nice. Wonderfully illustrated, as are all Lark Books, and a good stand-in for either of Cindy Jenkins' two ground-breaking books.

My one single book recommendation, for the sheer amount of meat in it, would be Contemporary Lampworking: A Practical Guide to Shaping Glass in the Flame, 3rd edition, by Bandhu Dunham (2002). You could spend years mastering all the skills presented in this 2-volume set. That would be my one pick. If I could only have one.

DVDs? I dunno. I haven't seen any super-outstanding videos. If I were looking for maximum impact for my dollar, I'd stick with books. In my humble opinion, the value of the videos is not yet up to the high standard set by the books that have been written about our little corner of the universe.

JanMD

[Beckah]

The step-by-step instruction of Passing the Flame is outstanding -- I haven't seen any other book with such a detailed instructional technique.

The Kimberly Adams book is a close second for me. The price is phenomenally better but the instruction is not as detailed. It is very current on all sorts of topics such as enamels, foils, etc.

Can't help on the DVD...

[Cosmo]

If you'd like to read reviews of glass beadmaking books, videos, and DVDs, see: http://sgb-midatlantic.org/book_reviews.html

If you'd like to contribute a review, send a note to feedback@sgb-midatlantic.org.

I have just looked at the 2005 The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking by Kimberley Adams (Lark Books, 2005) and it is quite nice. Wonderfully illustrated, as are all Lark Books, and a good stand-in for either of Cindy Jenkins' two ground-breaking books.

My one single book recommendation, for the sheer amount of meat in it, would be Contemporary Lampworking: A Practical Guide to Shaping Glass in the Flame, 3rd edition, by Bandhu Dunham (2002). You could spend years mastering all the skills presented in this 2-volume set. That would be my one pick. If I could only have one.

DVDs? I dunno. I haven't seen any super-outstanding videos. If I were looking for maximum impact for my dollar, I'd stick with books. In my humble opinion, the value of the videos is not yet up to the high standard set by the books that have been written about our little corner of the universe.

JanMD

Did you ever find a review for Corina's stringer video like you were looking for?

[Firebug]

Hands down, "Passing the Flame". I have learned so much from this one book. I also have Corina's stringer DVD and it's excellent. Jim Smircich has an excellent DVD set also.

Cheers
Kathy

[Megan]

I would have to second Smircich's 2 DVDs and Passing the Flame Hands Down.. Corinas stringer DVD is also great.

[maddog1050]

Passing the Flame. The photographs with accompanying instructions make the processes so very clear. And Jim Smircich's dvd's. His teachings on bead shaping will serve you well no matter what your style of bead is. I've been lucky enough to take workshops from both Corina and Jim and the book and dvd's are just like being in the workshops.