lampwork flamework

Oops.

ShebaMakeda Leave a comment
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mandrels with cracked bead release

One of the most basic lampworking skills is dipping mandrels.  As long as you do it correctly, it’s a no-brainer.  When it’s NOT done correctly, however, it’s a huge pain in the butt.  And yes, even if you have been dipping mandrels for almost three years (ahem), it’s still possible to occasionally mess up…

img_1351As soon as i stuck these mandrels in the flame, the bead release flaked completely off.  My first reaction was of course to wonder what the heck was wrong since my other mandrels were fine.  Then i remembered: buncha new mandrels.  Dipped.  Right.  Did i scratch them up them before dipping to give some “teeth”?  Couldn’t remember.  Doh!  (siiiigggghhhhh)

So now, i have to wash off the old bead release, re-season and re-dip the whole pile of new mandrels.  It’s not that big a deal really, just annoying.  Dipping mandrels definitely ranks as the second most boring chore in glass beadmaking (right after cleaning the beads).  I tried to pay the Teenager to do it for me and even he couldn’t be suckered into this dreadful task. 

The only upside is at least i can’t stab myself with anything pointy while dipping…

More…

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img_1344I HAD to make more of these big-holed, bracelet beads, I had no choice…

img_1342They’re so delectably sparkly, i’ve completely fallen in love and will be making even more… I’d planned to etch them but now i’ve changed my mind.  They definitely don’t need it.img_1343I’ve been wearing a mix of beads from this and the last bunch on my Pandora bracelet and I can’t believe how well they catch the sunlight.  As is, they are the perfect summer bracelet bead – simple yet dramatically beautiful.img_1339Now i just have to finish cleaning and list this pile as well…

Finally…

ShebaMakeda 3 Comments

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…finally, FINALLY I’ve bonded with the new torch!!!  It took me several months, mega frustration (some tears) and lots of practice.  But over the past couple sessions i think i’ve finally found a comfort zone with the new Mega Minor and even stopped missing my HotHead.

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I’ve now figured out the right combination of oxygen and propane required to produce the Mega’s best neutral, oxidizing and best of all the REDUCTION flame – most important for me since the latter is the flame i prefer for certain effects.  It’s only ever needed for a few seconds but ohhh the lovely shimmery effects those seconds produce…

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I’ve even discovered the sweet spot so my stringer work is vastly improving.  The torch is hot, hot, HOT so i’m working fast and big without ever having to worry about a freezing tank or cooling flame.   I’ve only pushed the Mega to make 2″ beads so far but they were made so easily, I know 3″ and 4″ beads and sculptures are not far behind.

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giving my cousin a quick lesson

I think i’ll be able to work with this torch for a good while:  it has nice hot flame but not so hot that it overmelts fine details.  It has great radiant heat so large beads don’t cool too quickly and all those stringers and shorts just under the torch stay warm and are less shocky.  It also makes a great pinpoint flame for when i only need to heat a small area of the bead.

All in all i can now finally say yes, i’m very, very, VERY happy with this new torch.  It’s incredibly sexy looking (i just LOVE the red), easy to use and seems really very well made.  A lot of other (some MUCH more expensive) torches were suggested to me but at this point in my development i think they would have been overkill.  I’m a big focal beadmaker (soft glass only) and so far the Mega Minor on one 5lpm concentrator was the perfect upgrade for me.

Surprised?

ShebaMakeda 2 Comments

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Yes, i CAN make little beads.  I don’t make them very often but these are special little beads.  See the size of the mandrels below?  They’re extra thick which means these beads have big holes and will fit on the latest contemporary European charm bracelets like Troll, Pandora, Biagi, Chamilia, etc. img_1319

They’re not terribly original – just transparent glass wrapped with fine silver wire – i think every beadmaker makes some version of these – but still one of my fave designs.  These beads are very pure, simple and beautiful just as is.  I’ll be etching them which softens the look considerably… (after i clean out the bead poop of course) as they’re a little harsh right now .

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I made several of these for the November bead show but i was so out of practice making little beads they weren’t anywhere nearly as evenly shaped as this bunch.  I thought i’d forgotten how to make nicely dimpled small beads – last time i had made anything this small was in 2007 i think.  Some are for my Pandora bracelet and the rest will be listed for sale.  I may even try coring a few with sterling silver…

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At the show, some people bought them for their charm bracelets while others bought pairs to  make earrings.   I’ll need to make some more – maybe in some fun summer colours?  What other colours do you think would be pretty?

An interesting idea…

ShebaMakeda 3 Comments

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This bead is an experiment – one that turned out better than i expected but isn’t quite yet where i want it to be… 

Essentially, it’s  a strip of copper mesh encased in clear and ivory.  I’ve never used copper mesh before so i wanted to try it to see what kind of fun designs it might inspire.

I do like the window – although i wish i’d done a better of job of encasing the copper: it’s an interesting fiery red when encased but otherwise  a burnt black (i missed a spot).  I like the burnt copper effect as well,  just wasn’t what i was looking for this time…

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The lines are drawn on with silvered ivory stringer (ivory rod wrapped in silver foil, then pulled into a thick string) which reacted with the ivory base to create those lovely shades of golden brown.  I tried to adjust the flame chemistry to pull out some blues as well but no luck,  maybe next time…

 I’m not sure i like the curlicues – next round i think i’ll try straight lines instead.  At the very least you can see my stringer control is definitely improving.

The tapered barrel shape and the slightly raised scrollwork give the bead a good “hand feel”.  I like beads that are fun to touch as well as being visually pleasing.

The shape of the window works for me as well as the translucency, especially in bright sunlight.  Sends me off on a whole other stream of ideas for where i can take this design…

All in all this was a good exercise.  I wasn’t sure if the look of the copper mesh would appeal to me but it actually does.

I’ll definitely need to make more.