I make lampworked beads in my home studio on a Nortel Mega Minor torch and an oxygen concentrator. All my beads are properly annealed in a digitally controlled kiln so they will last a lifetime.
Thank YOU!!! I want to thank all of you who took the time to send me messages last week after the first issue. It really meant allot to me that you enjoyed last weeks issue. I hope you enjoy this one as well. Davina-Marie
Quick and Easy Pumpkins While most people are off making Christmas beads, I still have a couple of shows before Halloween so I was making Pumpkins earlier in the week. Here is my way of making them. Step1: Wind on a thin brown barrel bead for the stem. Make it about 1/2 the size of the finished pumpkin. Step 2: Start winding on the orange glass, covering 1/2 of the brown barrel and continuing down the mandrel until your pumpkin is the height you want. Add glass around the center until the pumpkin is about the size you want, remembering that it will flatten out when you add the ribs. Let the bead solidify, but don't let it get cold. Step 3: Spot heat once side of the bead then using your razor tool, crease it from the bottom to the top. Once that crease is in, turn the bead to the other side and repeat. Continue until the whole bead is creased, alternating sides so that each crease has time to set up before the one next to it is created. Step 4: Add some winding vine canes from the brown step down the sides of the pumpkin. Make sure that the vine is attached to the pumpkin so they do not break off later. Admire your work, but just for a second, put it in the kiln to anneal. Happy Halloween!!!
Favorite Tool
One of the emails I got after last weeks issue was asking
about my favorite non-glass tool to use. So I started doing a mental inventory
of the items on my bench and which one I use the most. Half hidden under the
torch there is the shrimp fork that I use to mark where to put eyes. Buried
under the silver shorts are the hemostats that I stole from the fishing box
with a piece of silver wire handing from it just waiting it to find a new home.
Back in the corner are a stack of faceplate covers that I use to hold frit and
pixie dust ready for use. Only one tool is everywhere, or at least pieces of it
are, my Doming block and punch set. It was the best $15 I ever spent.
I bought it a year ago, on sale, at Harbor Freight for making bead caps but it has done
so many other things along the way. The
doming block was the first piece to be converted. I was playing with some off
mandrel pendants and had a lumpy lens. I heated that sucker up real hot and
smashed it into the largest dip in the block. Heated out the chill marks and
ended up with a presentable lens. Now, the doming block is steel so you need to
be quick but if you want a smoother area, try it for yourself. I now have a
nice lentil press and use the top to round things out.
Once it became part of my arsenal, the doming block became a
multi-function weapon. It has held frit, sorted millifore, and harnessed copper
butterflies all waiting for a trip to the torch. Just the fun I have had with
the doming block was worth the money, but I can’t forget the punches.
In my set, while each punch end is a different size, some of
the barrels are the same size. I think there are about 20 different barrel
sizes. I have used them in some predictable ways. I have used them to make jump
rings. I have used them to test Viking Knit sizes. I have used the punches to
add texture. I figured I had used them in every possible way. Then came the
rings.
When I don’t want to go out and torch, I start thinking of
something new to try. One day I got the idea that I could make great glass
rings. I started putting together a list of what I needed to make these amazing
creations. Glass, got it. Torch, got it. Inspiration, got it in spades. Ring
Mandrel, not so much.
Like most of you, I hate buying tools to try something that
I am not sure I am going to like. But you can’t make a ring without a ring
mandrel. Or can you? That right. I did it. I took that big old glass punch,
turned it upside down in the wooden base. Voila, an off-mandrel ring form. You have
to test out your set but with mine, I can make ring sizes 6, 7, 9, 10.
I love making rings. I am no good, but I am getting better
with practice. If it is something you have never tried, go for it. If you want
to use a mandrel, you can get them from Artcoinc. Malcolm has a bunch of
different size mandrels to choose from. You can use the chart found here, to
convert mandrel diameters to ring sizes, making sure that you include your bead
release in the calculation.
Stalking the Mailman
Barry and Joe are still waiting for the crucible. They are excited to
get it up and running as they have many ideas for new, and improving
existing products. There will be numerous new Fusion Frit colors
available after they get into production. Many of their existing
product lines will have numerous additional color options added since
they will be able to mass produce.
Avenue Beads is expanding the available colors in the 104 coe dichro
strips they sell. Check their website in a few days and look at the new
colors. Barry doesn't let the kiln cool off for long. There is always a
new batch of something in there. If that is not enough to get you to go check out
Avenue Beads' website, I want to let you know that they will be having
a 20 % off sale on their Dicro Strips from October 5 through October 9.
The guys tell me there will be a special starting next week ONLY for Art Glass News Weekly readers so if you know someone who hasn't signed up yet, this is a great time to do so.
When Friends Do Good!
http://www.loriandkim.etsy.com/
Lori Peterson and Kimberly Lynn have teamed up to provide gorgeous,
handmade murrini blends for your glass creations. They make murrini
together in small batches so the selections are always changing. Check
back often to see what new stuff they have!Some beautiful blends in the
store this week:
Give a Little Back
This Saturday is the Annual Auction at the Eugene Glass School. I was at the Flame-Off last August and some of these pieces are just amazing. Don't use the fact that your not in Eugene as an excuse. You can get information on Proxy bidding by calling (541)342-2959 or email info@eugeneglassschool.org
Finally...
Please
let us know if you have enjoyed this issue. We have had a great
time putting it together for you. Now we need your help to spread the
word. Tell everyone you know about us. If you know a glass vendor that
will benefit from being featured here, let us know my emailing us here. Have a glass question or need some advice, email us here.
Remember, there are 3 ways to entered into the drawing for the $50 gift certificate to Artcoinc.com. Drawing ends soon so sign up NOW!
off
mandrel pendants and had a lumpy lens. I heated that sucker up real hot and
smashed it into the largest dip in the block. Heated out the chill marks and
ended up with a presentable lens. Now, the doming block is steel so you need to
be quick but if you want a smoother area, try it for yourself. I now have a
nice lentil press and use the top to round things out.
