DIY Network

Recycle, Reuse, Reward: Recycled Bottle Beads by Cathi Milligan From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-506

Let's get fired up to recycle. In this opening segment glass artist Cathi Milligan turns old glass bottles into new glass beads with her torch and mandrel. Using these recycled beads, she assembles a very fashionable necklace.

Experience Level: Intermediate

advertisement

Using a torch, mandrel and a piece of broken glass, you can make a fashionable necklace like this!

Materials --

Glass bottles
18g or 20g sterling silver wire (about 4')
Lobster claw clasp

Tools --

Minor bench burner
Oxygen tank
Propane tank
Regulators
Fireproof surface
Didymium glasses (safety glasses)
Glass cutter
Glass breaking pliers
Graphite paddle and pad
Flaring tool
Tile surface
Mandrels prepared with bead release
Round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
Wire cutter

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Recycled Bottle Beads

1. First, please put on work gloves and safety glasses! Using your glass cutter, score the surface of the bottle you are going to use (figure A). Score once around the neck, once around the base and then down the sides a bunch of times. This will help the bottle break more uniformly.

2. Once scored, wrap the bottle in an old dishrag, place in a shoebox or similar container and using your glass breaking pliers, whack the bottle a few times.

3. Survey your bounty of broken pieces and establish which are the best to use. Long thin strips are the desired shape (figure B), and they should be at least 5" to 8" long. That way not all of the pieces used will have to be held with tweezers while being heated.

   Note: Tall olive bottles will provide longer strips, and square bottles are good because they have flat sides to make the strips from.

4. After selecting the best pieces and cutting some into better strips, make sure each piece is really clean -- without label residue and especially no oils. Beware of the very sharp edges! Now you're ready to make beads.

5. Make sure your torch is properly set up and open up your oxygen and propane tanks to get started. You need proper eye protection for bead making (didymium lens glasses). You should have prepared mandrels ready. A mandrel is the stainless steel thin rod that the bead is built on. It is coated with a material similar to kiln shelf protector known as bead release and it keeps the glass from sticking to the mandrel. It also assists in removing the bead from the mandrel when it's done.

6. Light the torch by opening up propane valve first, striking with spark striker and once you have a flame gradually add oxygen. Think of PO-OP. When you turn off the torch the oxygen is turned off first, then the propane -- the reverse of turning it on. Using tweezers, if necessary, hold a piece of glass and gently heat the top in the flame (figure C). Be careful that the glass doesn't thermal shock and spit hot glass at you.

7. Once the tip of the glass is glowing start heating the mandrel. The hot glass needs a warm surface to stick to which is why the mandrel is preheated. It should glow gently, then back the mandrel below the flame, touch the glowing glass tip to the hot mandrel and roll the mandrel away from you. It is important to continue heating the glass so it will flow onto the mandrel and glass with ease and you won't encounter the cold spot of the glass. When that happens, it stops flowing and is stiff. Keep the mandrel moving away from you as you apply enough glass to start a bead. When the desired amount of glass is on the mandrel gently pull the glass away as the mandrel is rolling in the opposite direction. Did I say keep the mandrel moving? Gently heat the bead in the flame rolling between your fingers. The glass will round out and become more bead-like. Don't overheat the glass! You will lose control of your bead if the glass is too hot. It if is really bright orange molten glass, it is too hot. Take it out of the flame if this happens and remember to keep the mandrel moving. Gravity!

8. Once you are happy with the basic shape of your bead, you can start refining it or reshape it with your tools. This bead will be carved into little curves to give it a twisted look (figure D). The others in the finished pieces of jewelry, cubes, rounds, flats, hearts, cylinders and lentils are all created utilizing various molds and paddles and tools. Heat only one section to be carved into and take the flaring tools, starting at one end gently press into the hot glass and turn bead as carving going to the other end of bead. Repeat at least three more times around the bead evenly spaced. When done, heat the bead all around and then bring to the tip of the flame for some flame annealing. We are trying to equalize the bead temperature before putting it in your kiln or fiber blanket. Your bead is done and now needs to cool down very slowly. Plan to make your jewelry tomorrow.

9. Once your beads are cool they need to be removed from the mandrels. I like to soak the beads in water. The cleaning solution helps to break down the bead release and keeps a rust ring from forming at the end of the beads. Using pliers, remove beads from mandrels and clean out the holes. Now you can make your jewelry.

   Note: You need to make sure that your glass is compatible -- that you use the same kind of glass.

10. To start your necklace select the beads to be used, get some 18g or 20g sterling silver wire, a clasp and your tools, round nose pliers, chain nose pliers and wire cutters. The beads will be strung on the wire and then connected via wire wrapping. Start by making the loop the clasp will attach to. Making a large loop with your round nose pliers, cross over the tail of wire. Grasp loop with round nose pliers using chain nose grip tail and wrap wire around wire below loop. Trim off excess wire and tuck end in to wrap so it isn't sticking out. Thread bead onto wire, create loop in wire with round nose pliers and wire wrap tail around to finish this link. Trim excess wire and tuck as with first wrap. To continue with the next link, start the loop but this time before wrapping the tail thread the link onto loop and then proceed with the wire wrapping. Repeat the process until you are happy with the necklace size. On the final link add a clasp -- lobster claw is good and safe.

11. Besides using bottle glass or Italian glass, you can use stain glass (figure E). You can find some great pieces of glass at garage sales, etc.

RESOURCES :

Jewelry Supply Websites

www.arrowsprings.com
www.riogrande.com
www.beadbrains.com

GUESTS :

Cathi Milligan
Beadbrains
Website: www.beadbrains.com