Christmas Baubles - how?

poledra1958 · 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.

garishglobes · April 16, 2012, 01:46:30 PM

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

Redhotsal · April 16, 2012, 01:54:51 PM

...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.

poledra1958 · April 16, 2012, 02:12:33 PM

Should of had this idea before Flame Off then I could of got some there. Will re-visit this later in the year.

Ciel · April 17, 2012, 08:35:09 PM

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)!

elburnzo · April 17, 2012, 10:24:14 PM

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90335579/christmas-ornament-tutorial

i found it!!!

Ciel · April 20, 2012, 05:01:12 PM

Brilliant! Thank you

Krysia@No98 · April 20, 2012, 06:19:30 PM

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

Ciel · 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.

elburnzo · April 20, 2012, 09:38:04 PM

oh also i should have said i got 96 coe tubing from sean at off mandrel

artbying · August 03, 2012, 05:15:15 PM

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.

Krysia@No98 · August 03, 2012, 05:44:16 PM

A post like that should have photos

I'd love to see them

TheJanie · August 03, 2012, 07:19:47 PM

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!).

ARBeads · August 03, 2012, 10:45:26 PM

Hi Ingrid, Hows things going? Your baubles are lovely x

artbying · August 08, 2012, 11:41:31 PM

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.