Tyler Craft Center
Open Torch Sessions

	The Tyler Craft Center is the home of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. The facility provides office space, and also space for holding workshops covering a broad range of media and topics.
So what are open torch sessions? A group of glass bead makers come and work together for the day (or two, or three). Everyone brings their own glass and usually their own kiln. The Guild provides the torches, basic tools and gas.

The day is spent making beads, experimenting with new tools or techniques, learning from each other, sharing knowledge, listening to other people`s favorite music, and laughing together.


	Sometimes there is a theme. These beads were the result of a Goddess theme. No one had made one before, but everyone rose to the challenge, and the conversation while they were being created was hilarious! Several goddesses became mermaids, and one didn`t want to relinquish her hold on the mandrel. It was interesting watching everyone`s approach to the challenge, and the resulting styles were amazingly different.
One of the favorite activites is admiring the beads at the end of the day, and trying to remember how that effect was achieved.
	By the end of the day, we have all become friends, with our passion for the torch the common thread.

Return to The Glass Place