I'd like to make some beads using my dad's ashes for me, my mum, sister and daughter to wear. I'm not quite sure how to go about it....can I just roll beads in then encase or should I be doing something else ::)
All advice welcome ;D
There is a bit of a tute on LE for this, I think.
Here you go:
http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137703 (http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137703)
Sally Carver (RedHotSal) has made memorial beads before, so I'm sure she will be able to advise you on how to do it.
Hi Kim,
Well, I've done a few - they've all been dogs though - no humans as yet. But, the ashes look pretty similar. If you're a bit squeamish you might not want to do this but basically you need to pick out some of the finer ashes. The really chunky heavy ash is too big and lumpy for the beads to look good.
I don't make them like the tutorial on LE - I've found that if you're not careful they end up looking like beads with bead release in them (not a great look). I make the ash into an encased stringer. You really don't need much ash at all - less is more and a teaspoon will be enough for a set of beads. If you want PM me I'll go into it in more detail but I don't really want to give away how I do the beads into the public domain as it took a bit of time and effort to develop a good technique.
ahhh thank you so much ladies ;D
pm'ing you now Sal ;)
I have made some beads from human ashes and its really quite easy. As Sally says you really don't need much. I made a very thin base bead, rolled it in the ashes (very sparingly and the finer ashes) then encase and decorated, looks really lovely with the aqua's and light blues. The ashes as you are probably aware are more gritty rather than one might imagine and they can look very delicate and pretty in glass. If you want to see any pictures you can PM me Kim and I will look them out for you.
thanks Pam :-*
I too have made beads from ashes (human) I found that dark steel transparent is good - just make a thin base bead. roll in the fine ashes and then encase in the same colour. I have also made clear, which again was a rather nice colour, almost like white frit...
ahhh thank you for all these tips...I suddenly wasn't brave enough to do it..I think I need to practise encasing a bit first...don't want any bits of dad to end up in the fugly pot! :D But I will show as soon as I have had a go ;)
Good luck with it Kim ;D
Quote from: Phoenix* on May 17, 2010, 09:41:48 AM
ahhh thank you for all these tips...I suddenly wasn't brave enough to do it..I think I need to practise encasing a bit first...don't want any bits of dad to end up in the fugly pot! :D But I will show as soon as I have had a go ;)
And that made me chuckle... I'm sure you'll do him proud ;)