The best all around book for safety and understanding the lampwork process is James Kervins"More Than You Ever Wanted To Know About Glass Bead Making" He also has a series of booklets on individual artist that are wonderful!
Cindy Jenkins "Making Glass Beads is a wonderful technique book. And her new book "Beads of Glass" is an absolute drool fest of techniques and eye candy!
Corina Tettinger's book "Passing The Flame" is rated well.
Optional Tools and Supplies
You can use a bunch of different tools for your lampwork. And they can be harvested from the kitchen drawer or the toolbox. There are so many different tools, and everyone has their own favorites so I have only listed a few to give you a couple ideas.
Brass Stump Shaper
Stainless Steel Spoon
X-acto Knife
Graphite Marvering Pad
Tweezers, small, medium and large
Stainless Steel Butterknife
Dental tools
Rod Nippers
Stainless Steel Pliers
SUPPLIER LINKS
There are many more suppliers, these are just what I thought of quickly
www.arrowsprings.com
www.checkglass.com
www.glassdaddy.com
www.heritageglass.com
www.crloo.com
www.auralens.com
www.frantzglass.com
www.hotheadsource.com
Other Helpful Links
www.urbansky.com Lots of helpful information
www.isgb.org Be sure to search the archives for answers to all your questions
www.cauldroncreations.com Check the tutorial pages for artist sharing their techniques
www.wetcanvas.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=89
Friendly place to hang out and share
Care and Cleaning of your Hothead torch
CauldronCreatio
Melinda Melanson