Hello, and welcome to Robin Melts Glass. My name is Robin Snuttjer, I live in Alabama, and I make glass beads in my home studio. I set up this page to share my love of handmade or lampworked glass beads, and also to sell some of the beads that I make. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact me at robin@robinmeltsglass.com. Thanks for stopping by.
Lampworking, also known as flameworking or torchworking, is a method of melting and shaping rods and/or tubes of glass using a torch. A variety of objects can be made using these techniques – everything from beads to candy dishes. It is the most ancient type of glass work, (if you extend the definition of the heat source to include a small fire) and has been practiced for thousands of years.
Glass bead making is undergoing a renaissance of sorts today. It is a relatively accessible form of hot glass work and people all over the world have set up a torch and started making little pieces of glass art. I have enjoyed the social and instructive aspect of gathering with other people who share a passion for glass beads. There’s the International Society of Glass Beadmakers, which holds an annual convention that I go to. I am also active in the local chapter in Marietta, Ga – the Southern Flames. I am a member of the Self Representing Artist project as well.
Southern Flames is a great group of talented artists and brings in well known and respected teachers from around the country. I have taken several classes both there, and at Flame Tree Glass, which has excellent facilities and is owned by two fabulous people. People I have taken classes from include: Mary Weiss, Lance McRorie, Diane Kovach, Gerry White (PMC), Patti Cahill, Trey Cornette, Jeff Barber, Marcy Lamberson, Akihiro Okama, Julie Ferguson, Heather Trimlett, Caitlin Hyde, Loren Stump, Leah Fairbanks, Barbara Becker-Simon, and Sara Sally LaGrand.
