bending beads?

[Caroline]

they do don't they, i can't wait to play

[Vicki]

Oooh I like them...mmm my wrist is feeling naked

[Trudi]

Wow - they do look very pretty!

Something else to aspire to!

[purplerhian]

So, do the holes stay in tact on the beads when you slump them (I'm guessing they must, lol!)?

[Caroline]

yeah apparently they do, got some beads ready to bend now

[Mary]

You are supposed to use wire that has been dipped in bead release and dried, to keep the holes open. My wire kept falling out! So I carried on and they were fine. But I use skinny mandrels, Jim did some bigger holed ones that collapsed.

[Caroline]

oh no, i've made mine with bigger holes

[Trudi]

Oh my - sounds complicated!

[BlueMoon]

You are supposed to use wire that has been dipped in bead release and dried, to keep the holes open. My wire kept falling out! So I carried on and they were fine. But I use skinny mandrels, Jim did some bigger holed ones that collapsed.

I'd definitley recommend the wire in them. I colapsed a few when bending. Also, I did not agree with the firing schedule in Rocio's book. It was written for a HotBox kiln and suggested setting on high for the ramp up. I cracked beads doing it that way. I think it should start out on Medium....for about 15 minutes...then go to high.
Jim