Christmas Baubles - how?

[Ciel]

I've been trying to find out how to make soft glass Christmas baubles.  Has anyone come across a tutorial before as I've searched and can only find tutorials on furnace blown baubles?  I've got some hollow mandrels, but try as I might, they never seem to expand evenly and I end up with a side bubble bursting through!

Any help greatly appreciated (planning ahead to Christmas already!)

Thanks,
Claire-Louise

[Hazer]

Aren't Christmas baubles made the same way as hollow beads? Or have I been labouring under a delusion (very possible!)

[Ciel]

I wanted to be able to blow them, but can't

[Ciel]

Maybe hollows are the way to go?

[Maja]

I bought a torch from Les (Thuringa from Germany, that is all I can remember) and he put a youtube link on the listing, it was on eBay, where a guy from that area (Lauscha) was making Xmas ornaments on this type of a torch. Can I find the link, can I heck! I think it is on my computer back home (we are away at the moment). I've tried searching for it on youtube, but I am useless with computers, so no luck. I can look for it when we get home if you don't get anywhere with this. From memory (which is a bit shot after two kids...) I think he was using a glass tube, but can't be sure.

Also, I remember watching a lady blow a bubble (it was for shards, but that should be the same sort of thing, shouldn't it?), that was on youtube or the American version of this, whatever that one is called.

Or, how about Sally's tutorial on vessels, just making them bigger?

Out of ideas. Hope this helps. I've never even managed to make a proper hollow bead, so nowhere near your level, but good luck with it and post some photos when you've done it, or a short tutorial?

Maja

[Maja]

Found it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OtXezwd3Go
Not sure if it helps, but it is interesting to watch anyway...
Good luck, Maja

[Ciel]

Certainly is interesting!  Looks like I might have to get some glass tubes if this is the way to do this.

[kathsd]

Hi Ciel,I did last year manage to use a hollow mandrel to blow an even round bubble, it was difficult on a minor (as there wasn't really enough radiant heat) .....but then it all went Pete Tong   I haven't had the courage to try again yet! I'm off to watch the youtube vid now.
good luck.
kathsd
ETA from memory (and anyone please correct me if i'm wrong) but Becky Fairclough and Emma Macintosh have both previously made blown vessels from 104 and shown them on here, these start life as blown bubbles, so maybe they'd have some suggestions?

[sparrow]

Soft glass tube would be the way to go, or, if you can find them, soft glass points, so you don't have to pull them yourself. Having spent about a week full-time trying to pull an even point from a soft glass tube last summer, and still struggling - never mind blowing an even bubble (which I kind of spent the next two weeks trying to do, lol!!) I feel your pain. Soft glass tube is a beast unto itself, very tricky to handle, easily cracked, and a bu&&er to control...............I may well attempt it again this year, but I've decided that there must be easier ways to make Christmas decorations! 

[Josephine]

Christina had those ready pulled points specially for making decorations along with the little caps to go in the top, cant see them on her website.
Howaco have some.
http://www.howacoglass.com/glaskolben_tubes.html

[sparrow]

Ooooh, they look fun!! 

[garishglobes]

I'd say they would definitely be the way to go 

Get an even heat right round the tube before you blow, and good luck 

[elburnzo]

There's a tutorial for glass baubles somewhere on LE I bought it but can't get onto my pc to find out the details. U need the tubes but can get them from off mandrel in 96coe. Melt one end until it closes and u lose the hole, heat all over gently and gently blow into shape is the basic idea but the tutorial was great

[JKC]

http://fritenglas.eu/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=8_168. Janet

[Redhotsal]

It will be tricky to make anything of any real size if you are on a minor just because of the focussed nature of the flame. You may even have more luck on a hothead whihc has a softer bushier flame.