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Tutorials in here.. => Lampworking => Effects, Special Glasses, Inclusions => Topic started by: Veebee on June 24, 2011, 07:51:12 PM

Title: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Veebee on June 24, 2011, 07:51:12 PM
I'll write it up proper like, with photos and everything, but in the meantime I hope this will do! Here is how I made this:
(http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu26/veebeads/beads%202011/plasmaComp.jpg)

I recommend that you read these instructions all the way through before you begin, just so you know what you will need at what point!
Please ensure you work safely. Wear eye protection and take care when using your torch. You will be using silver, so ensure you have good ventilation. If you are on a Hot Head you will need to be able to safely cover up the holes, so either construct a collar out of foil or use one of those super protective oven gloves!
You will need the following supplies:
Dipped Mandrels
Graphite marver (torch mounted or separate)
Transparent glass for a stabilising layer
Opaque red glass. I strongly recommend Effetre Purple red (438)
Extremely thin clear stringer (commercial stringers are way too thick, we need hair thin so you may wish to pull these in advance)
Silver foil (if you only have leaf you will need to double it up as it won't be thick enough to create the effect
A tool for creating twists on the bead. (You can use thicker stringer or create a tool by pulling the end of a clear rod to a point.)
Super clear glass for encasement. For example Effetre Crystal Clear 006.

That's all you need. Got everything ready? Then let's get started!

1. First we are going to create a thin stabilising layer of transparent glass Warm your mandrel and the rod of transparent. I am using some scummy old clear, it will be completely covered up so you can use whatever you like. Wrap the glass thinly around the mandrel to create a thin tube, marver to make it even thinner!
2. Using your choice of red create a layer over the clear to form a neat barrel. I would suggest that you get your ends as neat as you can at this stage as there won't really be an opportunity to add more glass to the ends later (however you can if you wish, you might want plain ends to your bead, or perhaps some Silvered ivory, it's completely up to you! But for the sake of this first simple bead I'm recommending neatness )
Top Tip! Reds that have a tendency to strike in the flame and go a bit streaky will add wonderful dimension to your finished bead!
3. Now, take your hair thin stringer and lay some streaks and blobs around your bead. Less is definitely more here, so don't overdo it! Melt in and reshape if necessary.
4. Heat the bead enough to pick up the silver and roll it around to completely cover the outside of the bead. Don't be stingy here, the silver could do with wrapping around a couple of times or you won't get the desired effect! Burnish thoroughly by rubbing the bead on your marver.
5. Get the bead back  into the flame and completely burn away the silver.  You will start to see little dots appear, yep, these are your stars! Marver  to reshape if necessary.
6. Spot heat an area on the bead and use your stringer / twist tool to make a twisted spiral on the surface of the bead. Do this in different spots all around the bead, making sure to twist in some of those little streaks of clear for best effect. If you are on a Hot Head, the bead will start to show signs of reduction, which is nothing to worry about! When you are happy, melt back to smooth and marver to both reshape the bead and cool the surface. (If you want to add plain colour to the ends, or any other decoration such as silvered ivory stringer you should do that during this stage) You should already start to see some colour appear!
Top Tip! I have found that using a graphite marver helps to draw the silver to the surface.
7. Once the surface of the bead is cool switch to a reduction flame (less oxygen) Hold the bead in the bushy yellow flame and roll it around until it goes really shiny, but not for too long, you don't want it to get too hot! See how the shiny has a few slightly different coloured patches? Yay! Oh, some glass colours won't go really shiny, but if you have been generous with the silver it shouldn't really matter.
8. Switch back to a neutral flame. Take your encasement rod and start to heat it. Here comes the important part!  While it is heating, gently waft the bead in and out of the flame behind the rod. The aim is to burn off some of the surface reduction but not too much. You want to retain the " bloom" of the oil slick colours but lose the ultra shinyness. If you feel you have lost too much of the colour don't fret, you can usually follow step 7 to cool and reduce again. And if it hasn't gone really shiny originally you won't need to do step 8, you can skip straight to 9!
9. Encase your bead, being careful to keep it away from the heat as far as you can (treat it like silver glass, because that's kind of what you've made!) so you don't lose the light surface reduction.
10. Once encased you can really abuse your bead with heat! Get it nice and hot to melt that encasement in properly, then reshape as necessary.
You are done! Don't admire it for too long before popping it into the kiln or blanket/bubbles!
So, there you are, you have turned your plain old red bead into a magical blue and gold galaxy. Now you can try varying the shape, try streaks of different colours, vary the amount of clear stringer, whatever you like.
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Pixiedebs on June 24, 2011, 07:56:53 PM
Thank you.   Fab tut and very generous.

Debs xxx
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: June on June 24, 2011, 08:15:48 PM
Thanks for sharing, Vicki, it's a lovely bead  :)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: awrylemming on June 24, 2011, 08:24:44 PM
Huge thanks Vicki - off to ramp up  ;)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: alchemist on June 24, 2011, 08:26:58 PM
Oh that was quick   :D...thanks for sharing how to make this beautiful bead  :-*
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: febgirl on June 24, 2011, 08:40:41 PM
Thanks for sharing your knowledge, will give it a good sooooon :) :)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Veebee on June 24, 2011, 09:18:37 PM
Thank you all!
It's my first tutorial so please feel free to let me know if anything seems wrong  ;)

I've learned so much from so many people's generous hints and tips it's nice to be able to give something back  ;D
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: The Tartan Trout on June 24, 2011, 09:48:48 PM
Looking forward to trying it...but not tonight...well done you :)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Dragonfire Glass on June 24, 2011, 09:53:07 PM
nice one Vicki  ;D
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Magpie on June 24, 2011, 10:36:49 PM
Quote from: The Tartan Trout on June 24, 2011, 09:48:48 PM
Looking forward to trying it...but not tonight...well done you :)
Me too...
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Angie on June 24, 2011, 10:44:33 PM
Thanks, I'm going to try that tomorrow.
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: cbeadies on June 24, 2011, 10:46:13 PM
Thank you for sharing so generously. I think I will print it out, must get a bit organised and put things together in a file or something.
Hope to have a go at it before long.  :)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: awrylemming on June 24, 2011, 10:56:20 PM
I have a couple in the kiln - if they're halfway decent I'll post them tomorrow.  Thanks for the lovely clear and concise instructions  :-*
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: afina on June 25, 2011, 08:11:55 AM
Thank you, this looks great. Will try it tomorrow!
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Veebee on June 25, 2011, 08:13:21 AM
You are welcome, I'm looking forward to seeing the results  ;D
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Redkite on June 25, 2011, 08:45:43 AM
Thanks Vicki - it's a gorgeous effect and very generous of you to share!!
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Enchanted Cobwebs on June 25, 2011, 10:09:57 AM
Its really lovely and thank you so much for sharing. I'm about to submit a wee order to Martin and will check if he has any of that red available! If I get anything remotely as nice as this I will post but if you dont hear its because I managed to make another poo brownish green item!
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: helenfc on June 25, 2011, 10:18:47 AM
Its so kind of you to share this hun, I will definitely have a play this afternoon with it! :)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Veebee on June 25, 2011, 10:41:32 AM
 ;D

I pulled the test beads out of the kiln this morning, I can confirm that the paler reds don't quite work. Interestingly, if you gaot your hands on some Marmorin and subsequently had no idea what to do with it this technique produces a similar yet paler effect  ;)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Shirl on June 25, 2011, 02:24:07 PM
Thanks for the tut Veebee, it good of you to share :)

I will try it out next time I torch
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Lizzie on June 25, 2011, 04:06:39 PM
Thank you for sharing, it's very kind of you.

Lizzie x
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: awrylemming on June 25, 2011, 04:23:34 PM
Well, mine didn't turn out too well sadly - I think I may have used too much silver?  I'll have another go tomorrow perhaps.
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Veebee on June 25, 2011, 04:29:44 PM
A bit shiney green perhaps? That's either too much silver or not burning the reduction away quite enough, or not completely burning the silver away in the first place  :-\
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: awrylemming on June 25, 2011, 05:02:03 PM
A lot of greyish silver in the background, as well as the 'stars' - perhaps I haven't burned it away enough.  I'll try both ways.  In the centre of the bead it was ok, so it may be more that I haven't given it enough heat all over initially.
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Margram on June 25, 2011, 05:18:49 PM
Gorgeous galaxy bead Veebee! 8) I will try it.

There's a similar, but different! tutorial over on LE http://lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235, which I keep meaning to try as well. It uses a different base glass.
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Veebee on June 25, 2011, 05:50:02 PM
Funnily enough I tried trans cobalt yesterday but must have used a bit too much silver because it did not look like that!
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Madam Steph on June 26, 2011, 12:37:05 AM
Thanks for the tute, Vee.
For a beginner (me), the instructions were very clear and precise, but my result was a complete pigs ear  :'(
I'm used to producing greeny brown sludge with silver glass now.
The only time they work for me is on surface decoration, and I can only guarantee Aura and Helios up to now. Oh, and TAG Golden Emerald.
I'm ordering my Cricket tomorrow, so hopefully my sludge will depart with my Hot Head.  The bead isnt a bad shape but it's massive, and most of you will prolly remember how much patience it takes to make massive beads on a HH.
On the plus side, it didn't crack.
Maybe that would have been a blessing  ;D


(http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx196/a_perfectly_pretty_poppy/My%20Lampworking%20History/sludge-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: DragonflyLynne on June 26, 2011, 12:44:08 AM
So we're both still up then Linda!!  :-*
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Madam Steph on June 26, 2011, 12:57:53 AM
Haha!

I was tempted to ask, but I didn't think you would be  ;D

I've just checked to see if I have any of the smallest jump rings from you from when I made George's Pheasible earrings.

I may use them with these from today. Made for Alexandra (my daughter) for her holidays next week.

(http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx196/a_perfectly_pretty_poppy/My%20Lampworking%20History/cmandbeads-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: DragonflyLynne on June 26, 2011, 01:04:27 AM
Lovely!  Lucky Alexandra! :)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Veebee on June 26, 2011, 02:43:12 PM
Linda, did you burn off the reduction before encasing? I'm on a Hot head and tend to get that effect when there is too much redution on the surface before encasing.
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Madam Steph on June 26, 2011, 03:21:55 PM
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
No, Vee.
I thought I followed the instructions so well. GRRRRRRR!!!

<<<Looking extremely sheepish
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Veebee on June 26, 2011, 03:25:14 PM
To be fair, they are a bit squished up together but I didn't want to take up too much forum space  ;D
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Madam Steph on June 26, 2011, 04:44:58 PM
No.....they were fine.
It was me.

I was trying to torch and read (and I thought I could multitask)  :P

Soon as my Cricket arrives, and it should be on Tuesday, it will be one of the first things I will retry.

I don't like stuff to beat me
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Kaz on June 26, 2011, 05:23:33 PM
Here's one from me
Added silvered ivory ends and some murrini (new Buttermint!)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/5872829203_cb96daab7a.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheekycherubdesigns/5872829203/)
IMG_1936 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheekycherubdesigns/5872829203/) by Kaz ~ CheekyCherubDesigns (http://www.flickr.com/people/cheekycherubdesigns/), on Flickr
Thanks for this Vicki!
Kazx
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Veebee on June 26, 2011, 05:25:43 PM
OMG that is stunning Kaz!!  :o
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Lush! on June 26, 2011, 06:07:41 PM
Quote from: Veebee on June 26, 2011, 05:25:43 PM
OMG that is stunning Kaz!!  :o

Yup!!

Great tut, Vee. We did something very similar on the Andrea Guarino class with the clear trails that turn blue.
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Madam Steph on June 26, 2011, 08:31:34 PM
OMG Kaz.
That's awesome!
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Margram on June 26, 2011, 08:45:38 PM
Ooh, Kaz - lovely! :)

This is one I made back in the spring - purple red and silver leaf: it has a bit of the blue halo effect
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5517431065_e21be6269b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37425825@N06/5517431065/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/37425825@N06/5517431065/) by Rosyglowglass (http://www.flickr.com/people/37425825@N06/), on Flickr
and this one I made yesterday with the clear stringer and encasing - much more blue, and I like the veining
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5315/5873522551_17b4c11ed8.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37425825@N06/5873522551/)
Blue red heart  3cm tall (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37425825@N06/5873522551/) by Rosyglowglass (http://www.flickr.com/people/37425825@N06/), on Flickr
Took this from the side to show the effect of the criss-cross clear stringer
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5079/5874082536_5b6b84083c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37425825@N06/5874082536/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/37425825@N06/5874082536/) by Rosyglowglass (http://www.flickr.com/people/37425825@N06/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: poledra1958 on June 26, 2011, 10:05:12 PM
Great tutorial,  will print off and try soon.

Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Veebee on June 26, 2011, 10:13:51 PM
Marg that's gorgeous!
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: awrylemming on June 26, 2011, 10:55:39 PM
I've had a go with the howaco blue silver just to see if it makes a difference.  *sigh*  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Kathy on July 03, 2011, 01:42:44 PM
Soooooooooooooo pretty - gonna try this today! (Fingers, legs, and everything else crossed)!!!   :) :) :)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Sarah9959 on July 04, 2011, 11:19:57 PM
What a fantastic tutorial, really well written and explained - thanks very much   :) :) :)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Kathy on July 05, 2011, 09:22:28 AM
Ahhhhh nothing but poo-brown on my first attempt! Will try again later today :)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Yellow friend on July 05, 2011, 11:53:27 AM
Thanks for the tut Vee, it's very well written. - I needed some inspiration so will go and have a play.
Love your version Kaz.

Shelia :)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: k00m on July 11, 2011, 12:08:20 PM
Oh well, I've tried three separate times now and every time I've got brown sludge. It looks brown before I reduce it, doesn't change when I reduce it and doesn't change when I attempt to burn it off. It just sits there and looks brownly at me.  :( I've also tried not reducing it as I thought the hot head might be doing that naturally but it made no difference.
Only thing I can think of it that I'm using doubled up leaf (have even tried quadrupled leaf with no success) as I have no foil and if that's the problem I'll just have to wait until I'm rich enough to buy some foil. Grumble mumble humph.
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Veebee on July 16, 2011, 09:46:00 AM
Hmm, maybe just try the leaf singly then, but burnish it really well before you burn it off. I must admit I wanted to make a couple more the other day and for some reason I ended up with a couple of Ok "organic" beads  :-\ That could be down to atmospheric conditions or I was over reducing / over marvering. I will try to come up with a better explaination for you though  ;D
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: k00m on July 17, 2011, 08:49:59 PM
Thanks Veebee.  :)  I'll give that a go tomorrow and let you know if I have any success.
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: c-glass on June 15, 2012, 08:43:46 AM
wow thankyou, it looks wonderful cant wait to play!!! ;D
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Purple Cobwebs on July 04, 2012, 09:03:08 PM
Well, I had a go at this, but wasn't too successful  :(

However, beaded up with some Swarovski pearls and Swarovski crystals, it doesn't look too bad!

(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i325/purple_cobwebs/Volcanicdelight.jpg)
Title: Re: Galaxy Bead Tutorial
Post by: Nicknack on July 04, 2012, 10:40:39 PM
I tried the other day, and mine turned out grey, too.  I'll have to have another go when I can get some torch time.

Nick