Lessons and Workshops

Learn to Make Glass Beads and Silver Jewellery, One-to-One

Lampwork and Silver Tuition in a Working Studio in Bray-on-Thames, Berkshire

Melt glass in a flame, shape it by hand and leave with beads you made yourself. Every session is one-to-one, so you get my full attention and plenty of time to make. Complete beginners and experienced lampworkers are both welcome.

If you like there is also an option to set your beads into silver to make a pendant or some earrings if you are keen to make yourself some finished jewellery.

All glass, fuel, equipment and kiln hire are included. There’s nothing to bring or buy.

How does it work?

  • You will be taught by Chellie Purnell. I have been making handcrafted beads and bespoke sterling silver jewellery for over ten years. My work has appeared in Soda Lime Times, the online magazine for glass bead artists.

    I love teaching, whether it’s someone’s very first torch session or they’re about to make their hundredth bead.

    • A safety briefing and demonstration - You’ll learn how the torch, glass and tools work before you start.

    • Hands-on making - You make beads from start to finish, with guidance at every step.

    • Free-play time - Try your own ideas, with me on hand to help.

    • Beads to keep - Take them home on the day or I can post them to you once they are kiln-annealed for strength and durability.

  • Glass

    Flame Taster (2 x hours)
    This session will last about 2 hours and is a great way to have a relaxed first go at working with molten glass. After a short safety briefing, you’ll make two or three beads to take home. This a popular choice for Mother’s Day, Birthday Treats or people who are a bit curious about what’s involved.

    Fire Starter (Half Day)
    A proper introduction to beadmaking. Lasts for half a day. Learn flame control and bead shaping, then add decoration such as dots, stringers and simple patterns) You will finish with free-play time to try out your own ideas. This is the one to choose if you want to know whether lampworking could become a hobby.

    Fire Eater (Full Day)
    A full day at the torch. You’ll make around 6-8 beads and explore more advanced techniques such as swirls, encasing or raking, with plenty of free-play time.


    Glass and Silver

    Make and Mount (3 x hours)
    Spend the session making a bead or pair of beads, then I will set it in sterling silver as a pendant or pair of earrings. Your finished pieces will be delivered (or be ready for collection) in a week to ten days

    Bead and Silver Day (Full Day)

    Two half day sessions:
    1. Morning/Afternoon at the torch
    You’ll make your own beads and finish by popping them in the kiln

    2. Morning/Afternoon at the bench
    During the second session you will learn the basic wire work silversmithing skills to finish a sterling silver setting for your favourite bead.

    You leave with a piece of jewellery you made yourself, start to finish.

  • Bespoke prices will be given on an individual basis but to give you an estimated idea idea of costs:

    Flame Taster - typical cost around £95.

    Fire Starter - typical cost around £175

    Fire Eater - typical cost around £295

    Make and Mount - typical cost around £135

    Bead and Silver Day - typical cost around £345

    Charm Bead Day - typical cost £295

What My Students Say

“I have learned so much. I’ve been able to make pieces of jewellery from scratch and wear them with pride. It's lovely to be complimented on a necklace I'm wearing and be able to say - 'I made it myself actually!”

- K Jeal

“Chellie is an inspiring teacher who not only shares her knowledge with an infectious enthusiasm but has the ability to bring out the creative skill in her students to produce some wonderful jewellery...”

- Mrs G White

“As a complete beginner to glass bead making or as the professionals call it 'lampwork!', I really didn't have an idea as to what to expect, but Chellie soon opened my eyes to the wonderful possibilities that this new found addiction has to offer. Within a few sessions I was discovering how to use a variety of colours and skills to make some quite professional looking beads that even my family thought were 'really cool'!”

- K Hope

Booking Sessions and Pricing

Send me a note here to let me know what you might like to do and I will send you an estimated price for your individual package.

Estimates will include all materials, use of the torch, gas, tools, glass and kiln services.

Deals for demos, torch hire, courses of multiple sessions, and special celebration days are available on request.

More Torch Action!

Making a Dragon’s Scale Charm Bead

Making a Simple Floral Bead

Pulling a stretchy stringer