how do i get a big dot/circle

[jammie]

Ok, little dots I understand , but if I want to make a circle, or a large flat dot that covers a good deal of the bead   like for a face or something, how do I do that? I tried to do it on a ring top sort of like a target effect but cant get the circle even and don't know how to do it. 

[DeanWilson]

I'm not too great with dots either so sometimes I'll just draw the circle in stringer and then fill it in! Then again I quite like working with stringer so it varies from person to person!

[Alison G]

I do it two different ways. The way Di East taught me was to heat up the appropriate sized gather and apply it, then heat it gently the right way up, letting it cool in between heats by hanging it straight down.

Lush Julie pointed out a bad habit I'd developed. Not putting on the dot with the rod perpendicular to the bead, wonky application = wonky dot.

Another way is add it gradually to the centre until you get the right size.

Some glasses spread better than others. I find Eff Light Pink does a nice job.

Hope this helps!

[Madam Steph]

If it didn't help anyone else it certainly helped me, Alison.

The perpendicular thing is where I'm going awry, too.

Another reason I need to get to one of the main 'ladies who teach' soon as I can afford to.
Teaching myself thus far must surely have gelled lots of bad habits together 

Thanks x

[Alison G]

You know Linda I realised I was wasting all this expensive glass and yet I still kept buying it. Once I decided to have tuition before I bought anymore I found I have far less fuglies!

I've had lessons with Sally Carver, Julie Fountain and Di East. I can't recommend any of them highly enough, and they all have gorgeous studios!

[Lush!]

Thanks Alison 

Jean, I agree about the large gather, then kind of drop it on ... like making a shank button or cab.  Press down to help the glass spread out neatly and heat the edges smooth gently.