how do you use maria louisas chopsticks

[jammie]

I know they are for pulling stringer but cant see how to do that with them, help anyone 

[Maria Louisa]

Jammie, I use them to make twisties.
I take 4 rods of glass, put an elastic on it to hold them together.
Soften the 'point', stick the chopstick in it.
And as soon as I have a big bolb of glass I start to twist.
Works like a dream.
Don't hold the chopstick in the flame all the time cause it is hollow, just in the beginning.

[jammie]

ahh would never have worked that out for myself  thanks will have a go then sounds like fun 

[julieHB]

That's a very clever way of doing it, Maria Louisa  

[hollergrafik]

That's a very clever way of doing it, Maria Louisa  

... and way quicker than the method I was using with them, works a treat

[Yellow friend]

I'm really pleased you explained that - I'll stop using them as hair ornaments 

[Trudi]

Jammie, I use them to make twisties.
I take 4 rods of glass, put an elastic on it to hold them together.
Soften the 'point', stick the chopstick in it.
And as soon as I have a big bolb of glass I start to twist.
Works like a dream.
Don't hold the chopstick in the flame all the time cause it is hollow, just in the beginning.

I wouldn't have tought to use them like that - when you have 4 rods together don't you have to keep them rotating so that they are warm .. or arre you rotating the glass and just pulling with the chopstick??

[Maria Louisa]

You have to keep rotating till you've got a big blob glass melted.
In the beginning the chopstick is in the flame but as soon as it's possible keep rotating with the glass in the flame and the chopstick besides the flame.
I'm using my first set for almost a year now and it's still in one piece.
And the twisting can be very fast cause the chopstick is hollow and so much easier to handle and rotate than an old mandrel I've used to use.

You can use them also for pulling murrini's.
Just stick the chopstick into the endcap and pull.

[Lloki]

Fantastic tip Maria Louisa - very time saving
I got my chopsticks from you about two months ago and I LOVE them (so much better than using mandrels!)
I've been practising some complex canes and I've found that not only are they more "as I intended" pattern wise, but when I pull and twist it is so much easier to maintain a steady twist and diameter (much easier to manipulate in my hands than a thin mandrel)  - does that make sense?
And I seem to use more of the gather, so far less wastage - brilliant!
Now I've only got to work out how to get them onto a bead uniformly...................and I'll have cracked it! (well you know what I mean?!)

[Krysia@No98]

Let me start by saying - I love these chop sticks.

I have been doing the traditional, making a paddle and then decorating the paddle.  Then melting the tip and adding on the hot chop stick and then melting of the rod and popping the other warm chopstick on and then giving it a really good blast of heat and then pulling.  I find it gives the stringers and twisties really good ends.

I have been using them to make the stringers for my more adventurous vessels.

[Maria Louisa]

Thanks  .

I already have an idea for a tool to bring with me for the next Flame Off too  .

[helenfc]

i was using these today too for twisties. love them 

[Krysia@No98]

Thanks  .

I already have an idea for a tool to bring with me for the next Flame Off too  .

But we have another 49 and a half weeks to go!!  (ish)

[Helen G]

Am I the only one that was gonna get a chinese to make full use of them 
I had no idea they were for this but will get them out the kitchen drawer and give them a go 

[helenfc]

Am I the only one that was gonna get a chinese to make full use of them 
I had no idea they were for this but will get them out the kitchen drawer and give them a go 

I had to ask to so i didnt do that!