Hello everyone
I decided today to try making some ruffle beads (you know the type, like these ones here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/73533517/lampwork-glass-beads-green-leaves-ruffle?ref=sr_gallery_28&ga_search_query=ruffle+lampwork&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
Now, I'm not new to this, and can see how they SHOULD be made: Make a disc, use a tool, squidge part of the disc one way, then next to it squidge another bit the other way with some sort of pokey tool.
Well, after several goes, mine looked like poop - wonky, uneven, not very nice. I tried several different "methods" including twisting the edge of the disc with tweezers, but they all looked rubbish.
Anyone got any foolproof methods that they would like to share on how to make these? It's driving me mad that something that should be so simple is proving such a challenge!
1. Make a disk
2. heat one part slightly and use your tweezers to give a little twist in one direction.
3. heat the disk up high in the flame to keep the disk from cracking.
4. heat a spot next to the first "twist" and twist again
repeat steps 2-4 until u have twisted it all around, heat again and pop in kiln.
I have a rake that is bent 90 degrees at the end, I use the back edge of that bent section, then I can see where I'm pushing rather than my hand holding the tool being in the way. if I want a more curled over look, I kind of roll the tool the way I want the glass to go. sometimes I need to reheat a little to do this.
also I do opposite sides, 12 o'clock 6 o'clock, 3 o'clock 9, etc going one way, then in between those going the other way, which helps me get an even number of ruffles, evenly placed.
make sense?
I've only had a half hearted go at these but I'm so glad you asked cos now I can have another proper go with these tips ;D