Glass bead maker, Julie Lukosaitshas
returns with her mobile torch studio to teach a class at Shake Rag Alley November 7th, 2015.

Last spring I went up to the Shake Rag Quonset Hut – now the Lind Pavilion — to see one of Julie’s bead-making classes in action.

After learning the safety basics and the general process, the students — many of whom were beginners — fired up their torches and started making beads.

They picked out a glass rod and then flamed it up while turning it until it looked like a ball.

They then decorated the balls with varying colors of dots, scrolls and swirls.

Each student left the class with a handful of unique glass beads they made themselves. What an impressive hand-made gift one of these would make!

They can be strung together to make a bracelet or a fancy knife.

This glass bead making class is just one of several classes you can take at Shake Rag Alley this November.

For a complete listing click here.  Note that the deadline for several of these November classes is today, so act fast.

–Contributed by Lisa Hay