Dragged hearts from spots

[Rascal]

Hi, I have tried to do some hearts by dragging dots, looks really straight forward in the book but when I try to drag the glass to shape the heart, the bead goes really out of shape and my rake gets stuck in the glass. Help, what am I doing wrong? Thanks Karen

[June]

Sounds like you are maybe heating the area a bit too much and/or pushing the rake into the glass more than you need to? Julie Lush does this technique rather well, perhaps she can help 

[Trudi]

Heat the top part of the dot ... let the colour of the dot re-appear and for the top part rake from just above the edge of the dot into the dot area.

Then heat the bottom part - allow the colour to re-appear and drag from the edge of the dot down.

Hope that helps!

[LilLizaJane]

Oooooo! I thought you started with two dots side by side! No wonder mine haven't been turning out right!

[Helen G]

As Trudy said but just to add before you start to rake, let the bead lose its glow and make sure it's solid before you then go back and spot heat each dot and don't put your raking tool directly into the flame 

[Rascal]

Thanks everyone, time for a play again tomorrow with these tips. Fingers crossed. Karen

[Lush!]

And my two penn'orth, don't drag, "stroke" 

[lantana]

... and quench your rake in cold water between uses!

[Ant]

Very useful info everyone - I'm still trying to perfect my hearts!  Thanks for asking the question Karen. 

[Krysia@No98]

Oooooo! I thought you started with two dots side by side! No wonder mine haven't been turning out right!

I find that's a really good way to do 3d hearts.