Frit-Happens !

Tutorials in here.. => Lampworking => Tips and tricks => Topic started by: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 01:13:45 PM

Title: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 01:13:45 PM
I had an idea whilst in the shower yesterday - I do that a lot (have ideas in the shower I mean, although obviously I shower a lot too  ;D)

Melt a big gather of clear glass, wrap it onto the very tip of an uncoated skinny mandrel and gently press down onto a flat surface.

(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x317/Bluebottle_pics/P1100174.jpg)

After annealing, trim the mandrel and ta da ...

(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x317/Bluebottle_pics/P1100181.jpg)

If you take your pics on a white background, you can barely even see the stand

(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x317/Bluebottle_pics/P1100178.jpg)

You should be able to get quite a few from each mandrel  ;)

Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Nia on February 28, 2011, 01:33:26 PM
That's genius, that is!
(No use to me, mind, but it's still genius... :0) )
Nia xx
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Margram on February 28, 2011, 01:34:04 PM
That's genius Julie! 8) I hardly ever use my skinny mandrels...

(Modifies to add: It must be genius since we both said it at the same time! ;D)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: turnedlight on February 28, 2011, 01:35:34 PM
Thanks Julie! That's a cool idea 8)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: MyPrecious on February 28, 2011, 01:58:46 PM
Great idea!
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: awrylemming on February 28, 2011, 02:33:07 PM
At last, a use for my wonky mandrels!  Wonderful, thanks  ;D
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Helen G on February 28, 2011, 02:42:18 PM
Mmm, may well be putting that tip to use as I have my first ever bead stall on Friday  :o Thanks for the  top tip  ;)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 02:44:47 PM
Good luck Helen - you have to pay for the tip though, with a photo of your stall  ;) ;D
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Blue Box Studio on February 28, 2011, 02:46:21 PM
Brilliant.  I tried making the all glass ones I found in a tut but they didn't really work.  This I can do and have lots of wonky mandrels just right for this.
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 02:48:34 PM
Yes, I think I remember a tut for all-glass stands, I think this is simpler though.
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Helen G on February 28, 2011, 02:50:45 PM
Quote from: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 02:44:47 PM
Good luck Helen - you have to pay for the tip though, with a photo of your stall  ;) ;D

Heck!!! Glad I've roped in my mummy to help with the overall look  :)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: chipperpottery on February 28, 2011, 02:57:39 PM
That's brilliant, I will pinch that one if I may  ::)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 02:59:07 PM
You may  ;D
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Mand on February 28, 2011, 04:02:52 PM
Julie - I reckon you're secretly a mermaid disguising herself as a lampworker!  ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 04:15:42 PM
A mermaid?  :o

Can't sing, verrrry short hair (by mermaid standards), no tail ...  ::)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Mand on February 28, 2011, 04:17:16 PM
But you make gorgeous sea-scene beads and you spend a lot of time in the shower!  ;)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 04:32:10 PM
Ah yes, of course - you found me out!  :D
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Fiona on February 28, 2011, 04:32:43 PM
Brilliant idea Julie.  I'm going to save my wonky mandrels now for if I ever get good enough to dare do a bead show.  :)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Dragonfire Glass on February 28, 2011, 05:08:29 PM
nice one Julie - I have some like that  ;D
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: GaysieMay on February 28, 2011, 05:19:57 PM
I'm liking it - I'm liking it a lot!  Thanks for the tip Julie x
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Krysia@No98 on February 28, 2011, 05:25:12 PM

oooOOOooo! so tell me - have you annealed them?
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Ness on February 28, 2011, 05:53:06 PM
Quote from: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 04:15:42 PM
A mermaid?  :o

Can't sing, verrrry short hair (by mermaid standards), no tail ...  ::)

It's the shell bra - a dead giveaway! ;)

Cool stands, inspired Julie!  :)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: fionaess on February 28, 2011, 06:10:59 PM
Quote from: Ness on February 28, 2011, 05:53:06 PM
Quote from: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 04:15:42 PM
A mermaid?  :o

Can't sing, verrrry short hair (by mermaid standards), no tail ...  ::)

It's the shell bra - a dead giveaway! ;)

Cool stands, inspired Julie!  :)

Nahhhh... it's the scent of 'eau de seaweed'  ;D
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: ♥♥Tan♥♥ on February 28, 2011, 07:01:38 PM
Bit of alright you are aintcha? ;)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: MangoBeads on February 28, 2011, 08:35:38 PM
superooni and luschious !!! clever you  :)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 08:42:52 PM
Quote from: Krysia on February 28, 2011, 05:25:12 PM

oooOOOooo! so tell me - have you annealed them?

Yep, and it's a good job cos when I cut thro the mandrel the first one went flying across the kitchen and bounced a few times on the tiled floor!

Quote from: Failariel on February 28, 2011, 05:08:29 PM
nice one Julie - I have some like that  ;D

Ah, see, there's no such thing as an original idea  ::)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Krysia@No98 on February 28, 2011, 08:53:23 PM
Quote from: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 08:42:52 PM
Quote from: Krysia on February 28, 2011, 05:25:12 PM

oooOOOooo! so tell me - have you annealed them?

Yep, and it's a good job cos when I cut thro the mandrel the first one went flying across the kitchen and bounced a few times on the tiled floor!


He he he, I tell you if that had been here Leo would have been of chasing it round the flat. and you wouldn't find it for months!
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Dragonfire Glass on February 28, 2011, 08:55:01 PM
Quote from: Lush! on February 28, 2011, 08:42:52 PM
Quote from: Failariel on February 28, 2011, 05:08:29 PM
nice one Julie - I have some like that  ;D

Ah, see, there's no such thing as an original idea  ::)


.... and it wasn't mine  :D
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Carol on February 28, 2011, 09:48:34 PM
Quote from: awrylemming on February 28, 2011, 02:33:07 PM
At last, a use for my wonky mandrels!  Wonderful, thanks  ;D

Same here Sue!! Thanks Julie :)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: helenfc on March 01, 2011, 07:07:03 AM
Brilliant idea Julie! :)
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: Pat from Canvey on March 02, 2011, 09:11:15 AM
Quote from: Tan on February 28, 2011, 07:01:38 PM
Bit of alright you are aintcha? ;)
Oh Tan, it took me years trying to get out of saying aint. Born cockney am I.
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: DragonflyLynne on March 02, 2011, 06:26:29 PM
That's a brilliant idea Julie!  ;D
Title: Re: DIY Focal Stands
Post by: sandieb on March 02, 2011, 11:23:44 PM
Absolutely brilliant!