Bought myself a Button Mandrel....

[Fruddy]

But am stumped at how to use it!!

It looks like a little pitchfork!

Can anyone enlighten me??

[Soozintheshed]

Open the jar, and stab.

In time you will get a pickled onion. 

[Rainbow1]

Sorry Fruddy can't help you there, Iv'e always wondered myself how you would use one 

[TracyJayne]

I have seen a tut, think it was Theresa on youtube, but can't be sure! 

[garishglobes]

ooh, I've got a little fork in the drawer, d'you think (reverse thinking here..) I can use it for buttons?

[Soozintheshed]

ooh, I've got a little fork in the drawer, d'you think (reverse thinking here..) I can use it for buttons?

Got to be worth a try.

[ARBeads]

Emma (tuffnells) has a video tut on somewhere, really good but I still use mine for toasting marshmellows!

[ARBeads]

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=350691361807

Excuses if I got this wrong I've been on the homebrew........Go on dare you to look

[sparrow]

Bring it with you on the 3rd, we'll do it together

[chipperpottery]

Go to you tube, Teresa from Tuffnell shows you how.
I have one and only used it once.
I just did the same as making a bead, except you have two mandrells instead on one.
My problem was getting it off the mandrell.

[Pat from Canvey]

If it's the type of button mandrel that's in one piece with two tines, you'll need to use something like Foster Fire Smooth and Tuff in order to be able to pull the button from the mandrel. It's difficult but can be done. Those that want to try a cheap and cheerful button try using the two pronged corn holders held in a hemostat while adding the glass.

[Lush!]

Did you get the thicker one or the thinner one?  Its much easier to get your button off the thicker one but I always double dip both sizes and soaking in water for a bit can really help.  Just keep wiggling gently (the button, not you!).