Hi,
I am looking to buy my first glass bead squashing tool, but looking around there are so many to choose from!
I am wanting something not too big so I don't have to melt too much glass! but that makes a nice flattened shape so I could make some focal beads.
Any ideas anyone?
Or what is your favourite press you use all the time!
I have some money burning a hole in my paypal account. ;D
I just ordered a tile set and lentil set press from Maria Louisa off here, £83 in postage from France, waiting for them to arrive, she is posting them today! YIPPEEEEEEE
Sandy of Spheres of Glass has presses for sale & some new designs due out soon
http://www.spheresofglass.com/presses.html
I think lentils/sprees are supposed to the be the easiest to use. I started with a spree. Still trying to get to grips with a pillow press, but the kalera is good too.
Quote from: GlassOcean on November 19, 2007, 12:14:56 PM
I just ordered a tile set and lentil set press from Maria Louisa off here, £83 in postage from France, waiting for them to arrive, she is posting them today! YIPPEEEEEEE
I'm not in France though, I'm in Holland.
I'm sure you will like them both. :D
Sorry Maria!
I think I got mixed up because of the last thread where 2 people offered the lentil press!
curvey shapes are easier to use than cornery shapes ;D
Quote from: Vicki on November 19, 2007, 07:59:02 PM
curvey shapes are easier to use than cornery shapes ;D
Yup....I only tried to make two tiles so far - one cracked, one didn't.....hope I get to improve on the 50% success rate!
I started with a spree press too, but have to admit I still ordered a lentil one as well.......I think I'm a press-hussy! ;D ;D
The small ovals from Sandy are great, - plus I'm currently hankering after one of those lovely focal crunches that I was lucky enough to have a play with whilst at Glassworks recently. The good thing about the crunch is that you have a little more room to mess about with, so you don't have to be quite as precise with the amount of glass you use in them - which is great when you're starting out using these type of things. Having said that, you do get used to using presses after a little bit anyway...
So many presses and soooo little time/money/bench space ;) ::)
Thanks people,
There are so many to choose from, I see that you could get addicted to buying them and end up with a little collection of them on a set of shelves!
I had a look at Sandy's presses and either fancy the simple Spree press or one of the new mini combination presses.
I would also like to get one of those Crunches and just squish and see what happens!
I have loads of stuff sitting around I have sorted out ready to Ebay off, I haven't got round to it yet though. I thought if I visualised it all as a second or third press I might shift it all bit quicker!
Ive just bought a spree press from Sandy and have had a little go.Iv'e tried using the blue tack method to use the right amount of glass.I need a lot more practise!! Has anyone any other tips?
Carol x
That's a great idea!!!
I also like the idea of visualising stuff you need to sell off as something else that you desire. I have 2 laptops I need to ebay and they are now starting to look very much like bead presses.....
Kaz
Well my old sewing machine is currently at DHL depot in bristol on its way to a lady in Swansea. The cash is in my Paypal account, Yippee! and is enough for a couple of presses,
or maybe some more glass,
or some more bead release,
or more beady books,
or 1/6th of a kiln?
The list is endless!
Will have to dig out more stuff to Ebay. I actually sold a baby changing bag for double what I actually paid for it new!?
Unfortunately it was so long ago don't think TK Max have any more left.
Carrie-Jane,
When you next take stuff to the tip look in their little shop, I got some clothes from there thinking they would fit a friend but they didn't so I put them on ebay and for a £1 bag of clothes (bin bag) I got nearly £50!
I haven't played with my presses from Maria Louisa yet, they are wrapped and waiting for Christmas!! :-\
;D
Thanks Karensa,
Our local tip is a bit expensive sometimes though.
DH says I am turning into the Ebay Queen.
I have got loads of bargains off Ebay lately.
Got an IMac. The ones that look like a lamp. DH is going self employed from 1st February and I will be doing all his accounts on it. I love it, it looks so cute.
DD has got a great dolls house and furniture from Early Learning Centre new in box!
I got some racking for £1.99 for my glass and I picked it up today. I have made up cubes and just thread the glass through.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230200572403&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=013 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230200572403&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=013)
It's not about not being able to afford stuff, I just love bargain hunting.
I have to say with all my Ebaying and putting stuff in the freeads, we have hardly needed to go to a cash machine as we are just spending what people give us for our old stuff! I have even paid a gardener that I saw working down the road to clear up the garden a bit and get rid of all the fallen leaves.
All I need to do now is to be able to buy more hours in the day.
;D
I sold a baby changing bag for £40, I only paid £19 for it new from TK Max!
The lady is really pleased with the sewing machine I sold her so the £100 or so is mine to spend.
I have loads of stuff to get rid off. The latest being an light oak table and 4 chairs as we have bought a new table with 6 chairs.
DH has bought a new computer monitor so I now have his old 19" flat screen one (is like new). He has worked so hard lately at work he deserves a treat. He says he will treat me to something too, not sure what to go for yet, quite fancy some proper beading lessons.
The house would like a new washing machine as the spin doesn't seem to be as good as it used to and its rather old now.
However lovely DH said that is not classed as a treat for me. Ah. love him.
Received my combination press from Sandy (Spheres of Glass) this morning (less than 48 hours from ordering) and I can say it is ab fab as I have been messing with it all afternoon! A bit tricky to learn how much glass to put on to get the shapes right but I am starting to get used to it. If you put too much in you can melt the edges back in to the shape anyway.
Now I curious as to whether if you want to do frit ones you melt the frit into the unshaped bead and then press it or vice versa. Also, when decorating a pressed bead, how do folks avoid losing the shape when heating the patterns?
???
Thanks
Kaz
Kaz,
When making a bead using a press and you wish to decorate it with frit (and as someone who is totaly in love with Sams frit!) you need to add the frit to the glass prior to pressing, make the mass of glass slightly smaller and then roll the pre shaped glass in the frit and melt it down, then try pressing it, if the bead is too small you can always melt it back into a round and add more frit and then press again.
You must remember that the frit will melt down and add to the mass of glass making it bigger, you will get used to it over time, all is not lost if you under guess the amount you can always melt it back down and add more frit then re press. If you add to much you can mel the glass down again and pull an amount of glass of the bead like you would pull stringer and start again. You'll get some interesting paterns in the serface of the bead but you'll soon get used to the sizes required.
Best wishes and enjoy
Sandy
I'm lovin' it!
Thanks for the tips Sandy :)
Kaz