Are you an Ottawa/Outaouais/Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec area glass bead artist? Then join our happy little yahoo group. We’re our own little support network and we’ve started to have meetings and even launched our first Glass Bead show in November 2008! To join, follow the link below, and send us a bit of info about yourself. (Note: Serious bead lovers only please, no email spamming of your products or services allowed!)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beautifulglassbeads/
Our website: http://www.ottawaglassbeadartists.com/
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I first posted this information for someone on LE back in November 2007 and figured others might find it useful as well. If you’re interested, this list should get you started in lampworking – I update it as I find new sources:
Classes: I’m just getting set up to teach private classes from my studio. Check back mid-June 2009 for further details.
Glass, tools and supplies: No need to order from the US and pay exorbitant shipping and custom charges (not to mention the exchange rate!). There are lots of online lampwork purchasing options on this side of the border:
www.artistryinglass.on.ca
- has the widest selection and best prices of glass and supplies i’ve found online in Canada. And they seem to be the most in touch with what’s hot in the lampworking community and stock the new fun odd lots and silver glasses quickly (London, Ontario)
www.morettiglasscanada.com
- comparable prices, has a good variety of moretti, boro, some vetro and silver glasses. Best part of their site is they have actual photos of paddles so you can really see the glass colour you’re buying. Super helpful service and bilingual (English/French). (Trois Rivieres, Quebec)
www.fantasyinglass.com
- mostly sells Bullseye 90COE glass. (Toronto, Ontario)
http://www.nortelglass.com/
- extensive variety of torches, tools, soft and hard glass. These are the people who make Nortel torches so you can even try out a torch when you visit. The website stinks and prices aren’t always the lowest but they are super nice and accomodating if you visit the manufacturing site (don’t expect a storefront) and usually have all kinds of rare goodies you won’t find at other suppliers. Plus, it’s so nice to touch the glass before you buy it! (Scarborough, Ontario)
http://www.lauschacanada.com/shop/
The online store is still being built but they assure me the shopping cart is working and they can forward any missing pictures by email upon request. They seem to have a very varied stock as well, including boutique silver glass and oddlots. (Edmonton, Alberta)
www.lauschalady.com
- sells mainly Lauscha glass from Germany and silver glass from Double Helix. (Ottawa, Ontario)
www.calienteglass.com
- makes a 96 COE streaky glass similar to Gaffer veiled rods. I haven’t tried them yet but they are on my list. (Mission, British Columbia)
If you’re in Ottawa, try these two stores:
http://northernartglass.com/
http://www.stainedglassstuff.com/
I bought my starter kit at SGS back in 2006 but haven’t been back to either of them in months as neither had a very extensive stock of lampworking supplies. Both seemed to focus mostly on stained glass and fusing and the few rods they carried were pricey. If you visit and things have changed let me know.
Frit: I get most of my single colour frit from various vendors on ebay as it’s relatively cheap to ship and the US sellers seem to have a wider variety.
I’ve recently bought a LOT of frit from her! She carries a very wide range of the intense furnace glass frits and will get a colour in if you ask even if she has to make the frit herself. I like that i can buy just an ounce or two of each colour at a time. Her packaging was beautiful, neat and shipping affordable. (United States)
Jen M. (scoutycat) recommended this frit supplier saying even with the exchange rate and shipping, it’s still good prices. Just checked them out – wow, do they have a lot of frit! I haven’t ordered from them yet though… (United Kingdom)
Frit blends: (all US suppliers)
www.valcoxfrit.com
www.glassdiversions.com
Bead presses: Either google them or check the garage sale or the vendor ads on LampworkEtc – there are sooo many suppliers! I’ve purchased from zooziis, Cattwalk and a guy named coonvallyb on ebay but there are many more and each makes fairly unique products…
I’ve tried most of the sellers listed here and all have provided good service. Feel free to add your suggestions for other suppliers and details about your experiences in the comment box below.
Happy Torching!
Joanne Andrigetti has andregetti glass in Vancouver… She is really nice and will order anything for anybody… I live on the East coast and have bought things from her because I know that I will get them!
Lynne