Bead Holes - An odd one!

[ScarletLeonard]

I've been having a play with different wire wrap designs and I want to start making crosses but I would like to feature a pretty little lampwork bead in the centre.

This is the odd part I would like two holes in the bead that cross each other so I have a vertical and a horizontal hole.

My first thought was a cross mandrel though further pondering made me realise that it probably wouldn't work because the vertical holes wouldn't pucker properly.

Second thought was drilling the second hole after annealing but I certainly don't have the space to set up a glass drill.

I know cabochons are an option but the idea I have sort of relies on the double hole.

So is there any way to do it? would the mandrel work? or am I living in some sort of world where I hope to turn gravity on and off at will.

Not exactly a common problem but a problem none the less.

[hollergrafik]

a cross mandrel wouldnt work because you wouldnt be able to get the bead off of it.

[Kalorlo]

Huh, I didn't know cross mandrels existed! Clever - I was sitting here wondering how on earth you got the bead off  

The page I was looking at suggested making four spacers to start with for all the ends and then fill in the centre. If you don't reheat the ends too much you should be able to keep your puckers? It sounds rather fiddly, though, and I can't quite visualise how you should work with it.

ETA: Kay, I found instructions for one on Inspiration Toolworks - the cross-piece screws out so you can remove it when the bead's cool. Don't know if anyone's stocking their one though - I didn't see it on Zoozii's.

[hollergrafik]

WOW, not seen that at all, very clever

[MadelineBunyan]

http://www.dichroicimagery.com/product_info.php?cPath=0_431_7_131&products_id=3874

http://www.lauschalady.com/LLBeadDock.html

looks interesting, probably tricky to do, but with practice maybe?

[ScarletLeonard]

Erm wow!

You know Kay getting the bead off never even crossed my mind but it seems they have that covered.

Thanks for the links Madeline. One of those is on my Christmas list now and looking at the diagrams they will come in handy for all sorts of different designs.