DIY Network

Using Stingers to Make Glass Beads From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-111

The texture on this glass heart pendant was created by using glass "stingers" to add small raised domes.

Cathi Milligan wanted more control over the type of bead she used in her jewelry projects. This lead her to start creating her own glass beads -- something she's been doing for 10 years! Here, Milligan shares her technique with host Jackie Guerra.

Materials:

Italian glass rods (also known as Moretti glass)
Headpin for pendant
Leather or chain for pendant
Minor bench burner
Oxygen tank
Propane tank
Regulators
Fire-proof surface
Didymium glasses (safety glasses)
Graphite paddle and pad
Flaring tool or pick
Tile surface
Mandrels prepared with bead release
Round nose piers
Chain nose pliers
Wire cutters

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

1. For this project you'll need two different colors of glass: the base color and the decoration color. For the decorations, it will be necessary to create a stringer, which is a thin strand of glass.

2. To create the stringer, first heat the center of the rod of glass and work it in the flame until a "blob" is created (figure A). The glass will be bright orange and very flexible.

3. Allow the blob to cool slightly, then gently pull the blob out into a "string" of glass (figure B). Keep in mind that the slower you pull, the thicker the stringer; the faster you pull, the thinner the piece. For this project a medium size stringer is best. Put it aside to use later.

4. Now that you have the stringer ready it's time to start your foundation bead. Prepare the mandrel with bead release before beginning (to allow the bead to slip off easily), then use the base color to heat the tip of the rod (cane) of glass until you have another nice size blob.

5. Heat the mandrel so that it will accept the hot glass. Touch the glowing, molten tip of glass to the mandrel and slowly roll the mandrel away from you. Continue heating the glass rod by gently rocking it back and forth. This distributes the heat all around the glass rod and keeps you from over-heating your glass. As you heat more glass, continue to roll the mandrel away as you add more (figure C).

6. To create a heart, as in the finished example, roll the bead first as if making a cylinder. Eventually, you will work the bead into a cone shape with the thin side up. Add more glass to the bottom of the bead.

7. Once you have enough glass on for the cone, you'll want to heat it up uniformly so you can use your graphite paddle to shape the bead (figure D). Apply light pressure to the heated bead as you continue to spin your mandrel to smooth out the surface. You'll notice that the bead loses a lot of it's heat when you marver (shape the bead with the paddle). The graphite sucks out the heat so you'll need to reheat your bead.

8. Again, heat your bead uniformly to the point of it being a glowing orange-deep red. This is when you'll press the bead again using your graphite paddle on tile or graphite surface (figure E). Now you'll start to see the heart shape take form. Heat the bead again to refine the bead shape (figure F). Work on the sides and press again if necessary with your paddle.

9. Once you're satisfied with the shape, it's time to add the cleavage of the bead. Heat the top of the heart and gently pull down with a pick or flaring tool, then flip over and do the same. At this point your heart is ready for its decorations.

10. Using the stringer made in steps 1-3, heat up the tip of the stringer and apply it to the bead starting at the base of the cleavage. Circle around the edge of the bead, flip and repeat.

11. Repeat the same technique for the outside edge of the heart, on both sides. Make sure the raised dots are slightly melted in so that they are like little half-domes (figure G). Gently heat the entire bead, flame anneal and place into your kiln or fiber blanket. Due to the size of the bead, best results will be achieved by annealing in a kiln to prevent thermal shock, and ultimately, cracking.

12. Once the bead has completely cooled, remove from mandrel and clean out hole. Soaking the beads in lime-removal agent to help clean out the bead release. Dry the bead and wire onto a headpine to create a pendant.

GUESTS :

Cathi Milligan
Beadbrains
Website: www.beadbrains.com