Orientation

Orientation

How to dress for your class

Because lampworking can be an expensive art form to pursue, every future student is asked to participate in a 30-minute orientation held right before their scheduled class.

THERE IS NO COST for attending orientation and it is optional. The purpose of orientation is for you to tour the studio, see a brief Lampwork demonstration, and provide you with the opportunity to ask questions before you commit to the complete expense of any course module offered. If you are certain orientation is not necessary and decide to skip the intro, all key points are incorporated into your course module .

After the completion of orientation, you have the option of canceling the class if you change you mind for any reason (and your deposit is refunded immediately). If you do not keep the orientation appointment, the course deposit is non-refundable. NEVER feel awkward if you go through orientation and decide that perhaps lampworking is not for you! I also feel obligated to tell you that melting glass is extremely addictive and fun! Most are hooked for life after melting the tip of their first Italian glass rod or making their first bead…

Two additional packets of information will be provided at this time for you to review. The first is the ISGB packet of teaching standards & safety booklet. The ISGB put together a wonderful set of industry standards to aid students during their search for an instructor and provide basic safety standards. After reviewing, you will know what an instructor should provide during a class no matter where you choose to attend. Instructors should not skimp on ventilation nor should they be allowing particulate dust from powders or enamels to float around the shop.

How to dress for class/orientation:

* wear hair up

* limit jewelry to just your basic wedding band if possible.

·HOW TO DRESS: Wear older clothing, cotton T Shirts & Jeans are best. SYNTETHIC CLOTHING IS NOT A GOOD OPTION. Dress in layers during December - March classes. Outside make up air tends to cool the 85 degree heated room down to a brisk 59-70 degrees.You will not be able to wear gloves as they restrict your movements, but your hands are always warm! HEATERS ARE PROVIDED UNDER EACH STUDENTS WORK AREA DURING WINTER MONTHS. IN THE SUMMER, FANS ARE NOT POSSIBLE AS THEY WILL BLOW THE FLAME AROUND,MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK. 4 VENT UNITS RUNNING 1400-1800 CFM EACH MAKE AIR CONDITIONING IMPOSSIBLE. OUTSIDE MAKE UP AIR IS ESSENTIAL TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND OF OUR VENT UNITS.

·Do not wear contact lenses as the torch heat and de-humidifier equipment tend to dry the air in the studio down to 35-40% humidity.

* Be certain to wear a smile & do the happy dance on your way out the door, because when I am done with you, melting glass will be under your belt.

* Artificial nails are not your friends.... Consider postponing the nail session until after the course. They melt easily and place limitations on specific movements & techniques. If you have them, do not panic just understand that we are not responsible for nail damage and know that you cannot play guitar or lampwork well with them on :)

~ Protective AUR-92 eyewear is provided, however you may bring your own if desired.

~ Bring your own eye drops if prone to dry eyes

~ Moisturize your skin & wear sunblock on face if sensitive to dry air & heat.

IF YOU INSIST UPON A JULY – SEPTEMBER SUMMER COURSE BE PREPARED TO BE VERY HOT! THIS IS NOT PAINTING OR KNITTING, YOU ARE WORKING WITH MOLTEN GLASS, KILN(S) /ROD WARMERS HEATED TO 800 DEGREES, AND MULTIPLE TORCHES RUNNING AT 2500 DEGREES OR GREATER PER TORCH. IF YOU HATE TO BE HOT IN THE SUMMER OR FEEL A CHILL IN THE WINTER CONSIDER IF THIS ART FORM IS FOR YOU? If the outside temp rises above 90 degrees outside, I give the option of attending evening sessions during hot weather.

If you have any respiratory problems, eye diseases/chronic dry eyes or a recent eye related injury, chronic allergies/sinus problems, or other health issues, you must consult your doctor and advise him/her on the new art form you are about to pursue. After your health care provider evaluates your physical condition and limitations, and approves, BOOK THE LESSON. Remember that your lungs and health are more important than melting glass! My shop has superb ventilation of 1300 - 1800 CFM units individually installed within every torch station. HOWEVER, if you have health conditions, please evaluate the necessity of placing a lesson above your health.

Course Booking / Cancellation Policy:

·A $75.00 deposit is required for all 2 day studies. Courses over 600.00 require a 150.00 deposit upon the booking of your class.

·We accept Visa/MasterCard Credit or Debit Cards & PayPal for the deposit. PayPal payment methods will incur a $10.00 fee for coursed up to 600.00. Courses between 601.00- 1,000.00 require a 20.00 add on fee that will be applied to your invoice. No fees for debit/credit card payment method options. Payment in full is due 10 days prior to your first day of class. Do not mail cash or personal checks!

·The deposit is non-refundable, however if you need to cancel for any reason, you are permitted to reschedule ONCE per invoice / for any reason without penalty as long as you have notified by calling 856-362-3720 within 7 calendar days prior to your first day of class. Students that do not cancel within 7 days are subject to all the penalties shown below WITHOUT EXCEPTION regardless of the reason.

·If you cancel after remitting payment in full and do not wish to reschedule (within the boundaries as specified above), you will only receive a 50% refund against balance due (after initial deposit) in the form of store credit. Why? We have turned away other students in order to provide a private course for you (two or fewer students). This equates to lost business/money and instructor’s loss of income that cannot be recovered. Your time is valuable, and so is the time of the instructor. This policy is FIRM and upon the remittance of the deposit, you are subject to it.

·If a student is a "No Show" the deposit is not refunded and store credit is not issued. The student must pay for day 1 of the class and may possibly be required to reschedule the whole class. Why? We have turned away other students in order to provide a private one on one course for you. This equates to lost business/money and instructor’s loss of income that cannot be recovered. Your time is valuable, and so is the time of the instructor. This policy is FIRM and upon the remittance of the deposit, you are subject to it.

·The intro course is transferable to adults over the age of 19 years. All other classes are NOT transferable.

EXCEPTION MADE FOR CANCELLATIONS AT ANY TIME DUE TO SNOW!

STUDIO SNOW POLICY: The studio is ALWAYS open regardless of weather because it is built onto my personal residence. We have never canceled a class. However, if the forecast mentions the possibility of snow, sleet, or freezing rains during winter months and anxiety over the drive/flight is a problem, we reschedule without penalty. Refunds are not issued due to poor winter weather, only reschedules are permitted. I do not want clients driving in hazardous conditions. I would rather you stay home and be safe! This is the only exception of same day cancellations where rescheduling is permitted. The studio is NOT responsible for shuttle arrangements/fees, airline tickets/fees/arrangements, hotel fees/arrangements, or related traveling expenses and lost fee's associated. Clients must sort through their travel agenda independently.

IMPORTANT! IF CANCELLING DUE TO SNOW, YOU NEED TO CALL WITIHIN 1 HOUR OF YOUR START TIME. IF YOU DO NOT CALL WITHIN 1 HOUR OF YOUR START TIME, YOU WILL LOSE THE RESCHEDULE OPPORTUNITY, AND NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED AS PER ALL THE POLICY INFORMATION ABOVE. IF YOU WILL NOT BE ATTENDING, DO NOT FORCE MYSELF OR APPRENTICES TO WAIT ON YOU NEEDLESSLY.

YOU MAY CALL AS EARLY AS 6:00 AM EST/EDT IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL. WE ARE UP!