Clean your work area thoroughly. Clear away any flammable objects that are not necessary to lampworking.
Place a table in your work space with either a tiled or fireproof board surface. Add a comfortable chair or stool.
Place your safety glasses and gloves on your work table or on a shelf within easy reach.
Place all rods of glass on the shelves or organizer directly beside your work table. You can use glass cups or slices of PVC pipe to store and organize your glass rods.
Fill a heavy bottom glass with water and place on the corner of your work table. This is for hot shards of remnant glass to be cooled until they can be stored.
Place a sturdy stand in your work area and place a small kiln on this stand. Surround the kiln with fireproofing material on three sides.
Set up your torch in the center of your work space on the table. Use a clamp to secure it to the table. Premix torch users will also need to set up an oxygen tank, a propane tank and regulators to control the flow of propane and oxygen to the torch.
Assemble the hand tools you'll need depending on the type of lampwork glass you intend to make. At minimum, you will need a set of stainless steel mandrils, a pick, marvering paddle with a graphite or wooden handle, and bead release to keep your mandrils from sticking to your glass art once it is finished curing in the kiln.