Hollows. To blow or not to blow.

[mel]

I have just dusted off my hollow mandrels and had a go at blowing hollows, great fun. But it got me thinking....some folk make hollows by joining 2 discs, which is how I started off my attempted hollows. Is there an advantage to blowing? How does a blown bead differ from a non blown hollow?

[Pat from Canvey]

The only thing I can think of this early in the morning is size. I think you can get bigger hollows with a blown bead. there is the point that disc ones obviously have bead holes while a blown bead doesn't necessarily need a hole. It can have a loop added for example.

[Shirley]

I tried the mandrels with two little holes in the side and blew very lopsided beads. Lack of practice, I guess. I have seen beads made with them that look lovely, especially when marvered to help the shape.

I make mine using the disc method, but don't tend to go very big with them. I suspect that it might be easier to make large beads with the hollow mandrels.

[beadammed]

How do you work the mandrels with the little hole in them?  I dipped mine in bead release and gunked up the hole and went blue in the face trying to blow thru it.

[Nicknack]

How do you work the mandrels with the little hole in them?  I dipped mine in bead release and gunked up the hole and went blue in the face trying to blow thru it.

Straight after dipping you poke a thin piece of wire through the holes to open them up, then leave it there to make sure until dry.

Nick

[Dragonfire Glass]

I also made lopsided hollows with the holey mandrel so have now lopped them off to make a small hollow one

[Shirley]

I also made lopsided hollows with the holey mandrel so have now lopped them off to make a small hollow one

So like a blowpipe? Clever idea

[GaysieMay]

I got rid of mine, I much prefer to make hollows using two discs.  I really couldn't see any advantage in the mandrels.  Then again I didn't persevere with them. 

[Pat from Canvey]

How do you work the mandrels with the little hole in them?  I dipped mine in bead release and gunked up the hole and went blue in the face trying to blow thru it.

If you blow through the mandrel after dipping in release, the hole clears, simples.

[Kaz]

You make hollows on the hollow mandrels in the same was as you would with normal hollows on s aolid mandrel.
Dip the mandrels and let them dry then poke through the holes with a piece of wire.
Make the two disks either side of the holes and heat centrally to join together to form the hollow as normal.
Heat and shape the bead to ensure you get good holes and a balanced shape.
Then heat and gently blow whilst turning the mandrel so that the bead doesn't go off skew.
Heat and shape, heat and blow, heat and shape etc. for as long as you need to...
Don't blow too hard as any weak (thin) areas will blow right out!
Kazx

[beadammed]

Ah!  That's how it's done.