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Frit-Happens !

Tutorials in here.. => Lampworking => Beginner beadmaking basics & colour charts => Topic started by: catriona on June 10, 2008, 01:24:33 AM

Title: swirls
Post by: catriona on June 10, 2008, 01:24:33 AM
Hi i would love to make beads with the wave like swirls but its just not happening can someone please explain the best way to do it .
Thanks in advance
xxCatxx
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: Diane on June 10, 2008, 02:05:26 AM
This is how I do it: make yourself a substantial stringer -slightly thinner than the thickness of  a 1/16" mandrel.  Heat your  bead were you want your swirl until its melted on the surface. Push your stringer gently into the melted area of glass at right angles to your bead and twist. You have to do this quite quickly - wait for the glass to stifften and then break off the stringer at the bead. You then need to flame polish where the stringer broke off .
Diane x
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: Kaz on June 10, 2008, 08:17:19 AM
Make sure where you heated it hasn't made it too gloopy or you will push your bead out of shape. You can also blow on the bead to cool it when you're at the point of breaking off the stringer. (Being very careful not to pucker up too close or you may end up with bead and mandrel firmly fused to your lip!!! ;D)
Kaz
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: clasicat on June 10, 2008, 10:47:19 AM
Ahhh so thats how its done :)
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: Mary on June 10, 2008, 10:53:01 AM
Pictures here! (somewhat dodgy ones, I had mandrel in one hand and camera in the other.....)
http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2160.0
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: Kaz on June 10, 2008, 11:01:36 AM
Fab tutorial Mary - I obviously hadn't delved that far back into the archives when I joined in Sept or I had but there was just so much stuff to remember....
I was pleased to read you used bought stringer as I thought people might think I was taking the easy way out - but at least it is usually a consistent thickness esp for dots and breaking off swirls.
Kaz
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: catriona on June 10, 2008, 04:42:18 PM
Thanks guys for info and mary what a great tutorial .
now to give it a go !!!
xxcatxx
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: turquoise on June 10, 2008, 09:08:14 PM
cool , I will have another go at this I did try last weekend but it turned into a big mess. Useful info, thanks  8)
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: Vicki on June 10, 2008, 09:10:19 PM
if my stringer doesn't snap off I give it a wee blow & it comes away cleanly :)
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: Kaz on June 10, 2008, 10:03:13 PM
Quote from: Vicki on June 10, 2008, 09:10:19 PM
if my stringer doesn't snap off I give it a wee blow & it comes away cleanly :)
:o
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: Vicki on June 10, 2008, 10:06:14 PM
Quote from: Kaz on June 10, 2008, 10:03:13 PM
Quote from: Vicki on June 10, 2008, 09:10:19 PM
if my stringer doesn't snap off I give it a wee blow & it comes away cleanly :)
:o
do you think I should re-phrase that  :D :D :D
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: Les on June 10, 2008, 10:18:10 PM
ha ha ha :P

xx
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: fionaess on June 11, 2008, 10:38:23 AM
Whatever you and your stringer do together, as long as it's in the privacy of your own home, is none of our business  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: Billie on June 11, 2008, 12:03:28 PM
LMAO  :D :D :D
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: Pat from Canvey on June 11, 2008, 12:45:24 PM
Now, Now Ladies, consider those of us who are of the older generation and might be shocked by your banter---not.
Title: Re: swirls
Post by: fionaess on June 11, 2008, 06:29:54 PM
Quote from: Pat from Canvey on June 11, 2008, 12:45:24 PM
Now, Now Ladies, consider those of us who are of the older generation and might be shocked by your banter---not.

But I am of the 'older generation' Pat  ;D ;D
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