Rating: 
Summary: The excellent information on techniques gets 5 stars...
Review: This book provides a wealth of how-to information on soft glass beadmaking and how to achieve various effects. The step-by-step instructions and pictures are excellent -- there is a lot of information that I haven't found anywhere before in print. A lot of the stunning techniques are broken down and demystified for the beginning beadmaker. I can see why so many others have rated this book so highly. I would definitely give the how-to content 5 stars.There are only a couple of things that prevent me from giving this book 5 stars overall. One thing is the many typos. While this might not bother some, to me they were distracting, and made the book seem that much less professional. I don't necessarily blame the author so much as the editor -- these are things that should have been caught easily during editing. Perhaps they will be corrected in later editions. The second (and more serious) issue I had was that of safety. While the author does talk about studio safety and what others do, it seemed that she trivialized some aspects and even mentioned that she does not always follow the recommendations herself. It's true that she is just being honest about how she works; however, with so many people looking up to her as a lampwork expert/role model, and using this book in lieu of taking a class, this is a bit disquieting. More is being discovered every day about the various hazards, as well as how they can be minimized, and even if she does not plan to follow all of the recommendations, I wish she had been a bit less casual about such an important topic. Other than this, the book really is a wonderful resource. I would recommend it to first-time lampworkers as long as they do additional research on the safety issues, gathering information from other experts as well as from this book.
Rating: 
Summary: An amazing adventure in glass beadmaking!
Review: This full color book is a complete treasure trove of detailed instruction, eye candy and offbeat humor for the beginning beadmaker and the advanced beadmaker. As a beadmaker myself, I really looked forward to receiving this book, because Corina's were the first lampwork beads I ever owned and I adore her designs. When I received this book in the mail, I was elated and it completely surpassed my expectations. Corina covers the basics of learning to make glass beads, and then treats the reader with quite a few step-by-step instruction pages on specific designs. There are tips and tricks on safety, equipment, color, glass characteristics and even going into business as an artist. The whole book is completely filled with gorgeous color photos of all kinds of beads - and that alone was worth the purchase price. The end of the book (in the first edition, at least) has several adorably decorated plain pages for you to make notes and draw pictures of your own designs. This book remains one of my very favorites on the subject of making glass beads, and will occupy a place in my studio for years to come. Thank you Corina!!
Rating:
Summary: I would give it 6 stars if I could!
Review: This is an excellent step by step book teaching lampworking. Reading the book is like having glass bead artist Corina Tettinger standing behind you, teaching you how to make glass beads with fun, pretty and intresting designs. You can take the book and read it from cover to cover, and then go back, countless times, and read the sections you want a refresher on. I've read the book at several times, and still use it as a reference guide on a regular basis.
Passing the Flame is chock full with tips, techniques, funny comments true to Corina's style. It is an enjoyable, useful, inspirational and beautiful book with hundreds of color pictures, and step by step descriptions on glass beadmaking. I can highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: The excellent information on techniques gets 5 stars...
Review: When I saw the price tag on this book, I almost said forget it-- I am so glad I didn't! I now find myself stalking Corina's glass (don't worry, Corina, I am not stalking you - just the beads!). She is a true inspiration and wonderful for sharing her knowledge. The book is both fun and informative - makes you not want to put it down! If you are like me, just trying to get started, and not really wanting to spend so much on a book, think again...this book is worth more then you would think - and you really are missing out if you try to skip this!
| 
