- Testimonial by
Nandita - India: Tim, I was really happy to be able
to do a (glass bead making course) course with you.
Your course was well planed and instructions had
every single detail in it. You taught so well that
the technique and the safety instructions are like a
recording in my mind. My lampwork equipment still
has to come but I have been able to use some of the
techniques in my clay work. Will send some pictures
soon. Hoping to practice my lampwork soon and be
there for an advanced course. Thank you for the
enjoyable time and the help you gave me. Take care
- Testimonial by Kiki - Abu Dhabi, United Arab
Emirates: I spent 5 days with Tim learning the art of
glass bead making. Tim is an amazing teacher-patient,
knowledgeable and creative. He made me feel comfortable
with the flame and the glass even though I had never
done anything like this before. Lily was also around--a
very welcoming hostess and creative talent. The two of
them are very warm and welcoming and it is very easy to
spend hours exploring their shop. I hope to come back in
the near future. Thanks so much !!!!
- Testimonial by Ruth - Brooklyn US: This is the second time I've taken a
Glass Bead Making class with Tim. Not only did I make
glorious glass beads which Lily helped me put together
into beautiful jewelry leaving me with hand made in
Florence gifts, but we were made to feel at home. It
will truly give you an appreciation of the craftsman
tradition of this amazing city.
- Testimonial by Linda - Seattle US: If you are interested in jewelry
making; if you like looking at jewelry; or if you wear
jewelry, especially one-of-a-kind stand out pieces, you
must experience Beaded Lily. It truly was a highlight of
our trip to Florence. In fact it was the reason we came
to Florence. Imagine, learning to make glass beads in
Italy of all places. Tim was a patient & very good
teacher for my adult daughter & myself. The neighborhood
is fabulous & both Tim & Lily were a wonderful resource
for suggestions to better enjoy it. Can't wait to go
back! Thank you Tim & Lily!
Testimonial by Sandra Takaro-Miller:
The two day lampworking class with Tim was a wonderful
and special experience! Tim has the ability to
personalize the class for each student and make it a
great learning environment. Not only is he clear and
concise about his teaching and the steps of a project
but very inspirational as well. It was fun, informative
and an experience that will always be remembered fondly!
Testimonial by MJ - US: The bead making workshop
was AMAZING! I learned so much in such little time.
Tim's exploratory approach really allowed me to test out
some techniques that he demonstrated. I have already
recommended the course to some close friends! Thank you
so much for this experience!!!
Testimonial by Liz: We had a great week in Florence in
May, completing the 20 hour bead making course with Tim.
This was partly a refresher but also time to try out
some new and exciting techniques. Tim is a laid back,
great teacher, there was time for discussion, watching
and practice. We made great progress over the week, and
returned "fired" up to practice some more.
Testimonial by Kathleen: Now that the jet-lag cobwebs
are cleared out of our brains it is time to thank you
for our wonderful experience with your bead making
workshop. Nissa has asked me to speak for both of us.
We arrived at your door with no prior experience at all,
and it was a great introduction to lampwork. We felt
that a lot of learning was packed into our 9 hours, and
it certainly gave us a good taste of the process. Both
Nissa and I were surprised (and delighted) at how many
different variations you had us work on. I think we both
had a vague expectation that we would spend the whole
time trying to perfect one simple bead, so being
challenged to jump just a bit higher with each bead was
both exciting and encouraging.
Nissa is definitely planning to continue to learn more
about glass bead making and glass work in general; she
would like to eventually explore glass blowing as well
as expanding on this lampwork introduction. Lucky for
us, our city has several glass studios that offer
classes as well as rentals, and we are checking them all
out. Whenever we talk about the workshop we took with
you and about learning more about glass work, Nissa just
lights up. Clearly, for Nissa, this course with you lit
a spark (no pun intended).
Although I did not have the aptitude with glass that
Nissa has, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed working
with this new (to me) medium. So even though my
participation in your workshop began as moral support
for my daughter I am intrigued enough to follow through
with more lampwork classes too.
Nissa and I agree that you are a very gifted teacher.
Your calmness and patience took the stress out of the
experience and allowed us to enjoy the challenge of
learning. For us it was the perfect introduction to lampwork, and for Nissa a whole new door has opened.
Thank you so much!
Testimonial by Bonnie - Utah US: Hi Tim, I
wanted to thank you again for the class. You have
the perfect temperament for a teacher. You never
made me feel stupid or clumsy, even though I know I
was. It was the highlight of our trip to Italy. And
working with you has made me want to continue with
the lampworking and hopefully get good at it!
Testimonial by Francesca - Bath, United Kingdom: I
had a wonderful time learning from you. When I
booked the glass bead making course I was not
entirely sure of what I wanted to learn so I asked
to focus on hollow beads (at that time I believed I
knew how to make beads and wasn't really planning on
relearning.) I read from previous comments how good
it was working with you and how patient a teacher
you were. I understand now what they meant. Having
been a teacher I know how hard it can be passing on
information to others and mostly having the patience
to accept the different speed at which different
people absorb that information. You are definitely a
natural at what you do (both making beads and
teaching!). It was fascinating to watch you
transform a lump of dead glass into a live and
beautiful bead. And you were also fast at
understanding my needs and switching to what you
thought would be the knowledge I most needed to take
home. Be assured I will treasure every bit of what
you taught me (especially those nasty hollow
beads...!) I have a new beading world opening in
front of me and I am now counting the days to go
back home and sit in front of my torch.
Testimonial by Natasha - US: Hi Tim, Thanks again
for the course. It was everything I wanted in a
class, you really managed to cover all the different
techniques I was interested in learning. I could
have happily spent another couple of days trying to
copy everything you showed me!
Testimonial by Faith - Malta: Thanks so much for
your patience with me during classes. I know I asked
a load of questions, so I hope I wasn't being a
pest! I really enjoyed the process. As far as a
critique of your class, I'm happy to give my two
cents worth. For me, I wished the class was longer.
I know I spent lots of time asking questions and the
on-demand information was just as valuable as the
hands on time at the torch. Plus, my time at the
torch was elongated in my drive to "leave no bead
behind"! (My homage to the new American education
system!) I could have easily stayed a few more days.
Hands down, I am glad I came. Without the class I
would not have made the decision to start bead
making. Like I had said, I can watch all the videos
in the world, and read every book, but there is no
substitute for the instruction of a qualified and
experienced teacher. Many thanks!
Testimonial by Laura - Washington State US: I had a
wonderful time in Florence. I thought the course was
very good--and I think that you are an excellent
teacher. I definitely have a good overview on
lampworking. The link for putting together your own
studio is very helpful. Thanks again.
Testimonial by Bonnie - Utah Us: Hi Tim, I wanted to
thank you again for the class. You have the perfect
temperament for a teacher. You never made me feel
stupid or clumsy, even though I know I was. It was
the highlight of our trip to Italy. And working with
you has made me want to continue with the
lampworking and hopefully get good at it! Again,
thank you for everything!
Testimonial by Julia and John - Hampshire UK: We
really liked that it was just the two of us with you
(and Siesta) and there were no other students around
to take away your attention (Yup, we're selfish). We
also liked your teaching manner which was very
relaxed and your willingness to explain and/or
experiment based on our questions and queries. The
process of trying out the various bead styles and
tools definitely helped us decide whether we wanted
to pursue Bead making further. Again the information
you could supply us on the various aspects of bead
making helped immensely in this decision. Having the
books on hand was a very nice touch, especially when
we could take them away with us and have a read
during our time in Florence. All in all we were very
pleased with the instruction, environment and the
company!
Testimonial by Hope Parker - Hawaii, United States:
I had a great time! The class was perfectly
structured and even more fun and interesting than I
expected. Thank you for your excellent teaching
skills!
Testimonial by Maureen Williams - Staffordshire,
United Kingdom: I have just spent a most excellent
three days with Tim on his bead making course. I
learnt such a lot came home with some beautiful
beads and Tim has the patience of a saint, always
encouraging even when my beads look nothing like
intended. I would thoroughly recommend this course
to anyone who wants to learn a new skill and make
beads of their own or update a beadmaking skill and
combine it with a holiday in Florence, what more can
you want to create happiness.
Testimonial by Lesley & Norman Silver - Cornwall,
England: Tim the course was really great - It was
exactly what I hoped for and more! It totally
covered what I hoped to learn in the time we had.
When I decided to take a beadmaking course I had my
pick of many from the internet - basically
worldwide, as you are aware. I contacted a number of
tutors and picked you out of all of them. The
reasons: You communicated - You tried to accommodate
my times - Your fees were fair and you didn't
promise to make me a craftsperson overnight!!! Plus
you sounded nice and you are! oh yes... and you
lived in a nice area, which certainly helps but that
wasn't the deciding factor, it was the fact that
your website was honest. Our only complaint was that
we didn't have enough time...
Testimonial by Egle - Vilnius, Lithuania: These
Beadmaking courses were especially useful for me.
Tim helped me to solve many different questions I
was interested in, starting with the preparation of
a workshop (torch, flame, tools, gas, gas cylinder
equipment, annealing furnace, etc.), and finishing
with such various techniques and details, play of
colours, forms, decoration, etc! During the courses
I gained certain knowledge; what is more, I was
encouraged and inspired. Now I quickly move forward
in beadmaking domain.
It was very pleasant to meet and work with the
teacher Tim, who is an extraordinary person. He is
not only a dedicated, good-natured, thoughtful, and
friendly teacher, but also a very talented artist.
It is very pleasant to remember warm and creative
atmosphere in the studio, lovely and sociable Lily,
Louis, and other warm people who were there. The
souls and hostesses of studio dogs Siesta and Suzi
are particularly unforgettable! I always smile
remembering them! We would like to give thanks to
Siesta on all our family’s behalf for her sincere
and professional nurse’s work with our little son,
who is only 1.8 years old! And, of course, the
microclimate of the studio is special as it is in
the centre of the Old Town, surrounded by historical
masterpieces of incredibly beautiful Florence,
world’s art, science and culture! I look forward to
coming back here in future in order to improve and
possibly to learn some other subjects taught in this
studio. I sincerely wish others to come here and
learn as well as spend holidays in Florence!
Testimonial by Sedef - Istanbul, Turkey: I thank you
so very much for your grand patience. I have learned
a lot with you. My skill has certainly improved
vastly and those neat little tricks that you showed
and shared are the secret keys to easier
accomplishments. Last but not least making me feel
so at ease and at home made my learning process so
much more comfortable and fun. It was a great week
of learning and producing :) THANKS...
PS Please give my best to Lily and of course a big
hug for Siesta... |
