I've been trying to find out how to make soft glass Christmas baubles. Has anyone come across a tutorial before as I've searched and can only find tutorials on furnace blown baubles? I've got some hollow mandrels, but try as I might, they never seem to expand evenly and I end up with a side bubble bursting through!
Any help greatly appreciated (planning ahead to Christmas already!)
Thanks,
Claire-Louise
Aren't Christmas baubles made the same way as hollow beads? Or have I been labouring under a delusion (very possible!)
I wanted to be able to blow them, but can't :)
Maybe hollows are the way to go?
I bought a torch from Les (Thuringa from Germany, that is all I can remember) and he put a youtube link on the listing, it was on eBay, where a guy from that area (Lauscha) was making Xmas ornaments on this type of a torch. Can I find the link, can I heck! I think it is on my computer back home (we are away at the moment). I've tried searching for it on youtube, but I am useless with computers, so no luck. I can look for it when we get home if you don't get anywhere with this. From memory (which is a bit shot after two kids...) I think he was using a glass tube, but can't be sure.
Also, I remember watching a lady blow a bubble (it was for shards, but that should be the same sort of thing, shouldn't it?), that was on youtube or the American version of this, whatever that one is called.
Or, how about Sally's tutorial on vessels, just making them bigger?
Out of ideas. Hope this helps. I've never even managed to make a proper hollow bead, so nowhere near your level, but good luck with it and post some photos when you've done it, or a short tutorial?
Maja
Found it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OtXezwd3Go
Not sure if it helps, but it is interesting to watch anyway...
Good luck, Maja
Certainly is interesting! Looks like I might have to get some glass tubes if this is the way to do this.
Hi Ciel,I did last year manage to use a hollow mandrel to blow an even round bubble, it was difficult on a minor (as there wasn't really enough radiant heat) .....but then it all went Pete Tong :( I haven't had the courage to try again yet! I'm off to watch the youtube vid now.
good luck.
kathsd
ETA from memory (and anyone please correct me if i'm wrong) but Becky Fairclough and Emma Macintosh have both previously made blown vessels from 104 and shown them on here, these start life as blown bubbles, so maybe they'd have some suggestions?
Soft glass tube would be the way to go, or, if you can find them, soft glass points, so you don't have to pull them yourself. Having spent about a week full-time trying to pull an even point from a soft glass tube last summer, and still struggling - never mind blowing an even bubble (which I kind of spent the next two weeks trying to do, lol!!) I feel your pain. Soft glass tube is a beast unto itself, very tricky to handle, easily cracked, and a bu&&er to control...............I may well attempt it again this year, but I've decided that there must be easier ways to make Christmas decorations! ;D
Christina had those ready pulled points specially for making decorations along with the little caps to go in the top, cant see them on her website.
Howaco have some.
http://www.howacoglass.com/glaskolben_tubes.html
Ooooh, they look fun!! ;D
I'd say they would definitely be the way to go ;D ;D
Get an even heat right round the tube before you blow, and good luck :)
There's a tutorial for glass baubles somewhere on LE I bought it but can't get onto my pc to find out the details. U need the tubes but can get them from off mandrel in 96coe. Melt one end until it closes and u lose the hole, heat all over gently and gently blow into shape is the basic idea but the tutorial was great
http://fritenglas.eu/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=8_168. Janet
It will be tricky to make anything of any real size if you are on a minor just because of the focussed nature of the flame. You may even have more luck on a hothead whihc has a softer bushier flame. ;)
And there was me thinking I would not be able to do it on a Hot Head I did not think it would have enough heat.
I would not mind having a go.
So where can I get soft glass tubing.
I'd agree with Sabine, having spent a couple of weeks in Germany last summer swearing at soft glass tubing - try the links above for the ready-pulled points, they'll be much easier to start with :)
...or you could try blowing a glob of soft glass on the end of a tube. That's what I do, although I have to say I don't do it at all well. Definitely can't pull a point to save my life.
Should of had this idea before Flame Off then I could of got some there. Will re-visit this later in the year.
Thanks everyone - I still want to give it a go, so I'll have a ponder and probably order some glass anyway and see what I can do (or not)!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/90335579/christmas-ornament-tutorial (http://www.etsy.com/listing/90335579/christmas-ornament-tutorial)
i found it!!!
Brilliant! Thank you :)
Quote from: poledra1958 on April 16, 2012, 12:53:18 PM
And there was me thinking I would not be able to do it on a Hot Head I did not think it would have enough heat.
I would not mind having a go.
So where can I get soft glass tubing.
I think Sean had some at the flame off
I've just ordered the tutorial, so can't wait to received it and then have a play to see where I'm going wrong.
oh also i should have said i got 96 coe tubing from sean at off mandrel
I've been making Christmas baubles for about three years now.
I make them with soft glass rods and a blowpipe mandrel. Mandrel is from Tuffnells. I've not tried tube in soft glass ~ I should imagine you need your heat quite low to start.
It takes a bit of time to wind on the glass rod and practice to blow larger ones but I prefer the soft glass as you've a wide choice of base colours. Blow the bauble then add the hook making sure the attachment is really hot, keeping the bauble warm at the same time. ;)
Check out my website. Hope to have some new shapes this year. I've been playing with boro tubing and need a bit more practice yet. I've also tried pulling without a mandrel blowpipe creating a tube and starting to get some good shapes and designs but they're quite fragile.
A post like that should have photos ;)
I'd love to see them
I knew it was a good idea to dip my toe back into FH again - I bought that tutorial a couple of years ago and never tried any of the ornaments - at the time I wasn't confident enough to give it a go. Reading this thread has reminded me... it's time to be brave (but I refuse to make anything Yule-related until at least September!).
Hi Ingrid, Hows things going? Your baubles are lovely x
Hi Ruth
It's going fine. a funny sort of year but I seem to have my mojo back - I've even managed to browse Frit Happens finally joining and making my first post! Whoo whooo!
I've PM'd you. Wow I'm getting the hang of this.
Sorry Krysia@No98 I've found the info on how to post photos! so here goes
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/7235199968_1875d446e7.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41939015@N05/7235199968/)
Bauble_-_Purple___Gold_Hedgehog (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41939015@N05/7235199968/) by auraartglass (http://www.flickr.com/people/41939015@N05/), on Flickr
This was my first that sold in 2009
Oh WOW!!! That's fabulous. How big is it?
I've started with some blown hollows this week. Baubles next...
Most of my baubles with silver rich glass generally measure 2.5 inch -3 inch diameter (approx 7cm) Height approx 3- 3.5 inch. (This is approx without getting one out to measure) I have done larger, but this size are most controllable if using silver rich, striking or adding further decorations. I think I used Double Helix Psyche and Effetre EDF for the dots. :)
Good luck with your baubles let me know if you need any help and I'll gladly do my best.
Quote from: Ciel on April 20, 2012, 07:37:20 PM
I've just ordered the tutorial, so can't wait to received it and then have a play to see where I'm going wrong.
Hi, how did you get on with this Ciel, any piccies? :) :)