probably a really stupid question

[VickiK]

but I'm going to ask it anyway, LOL!! Is it possible to encase lentils? I can't remember reading anything on it anywhere or seeing any lentils that were, but that's typical of me :rolleyes: . If it is possible, would you do it before or after pressing?

[Cosmo]

You can encase anything made of glass, regardless of shape. I would make a round bead, encase it, and then press it.

[Mr. Smiley]

You could also stripe encase the pressed lentil. It may take some practice to get it right, but it may be a cool effect. It will be easier Chad's way. ;)

[barb]

Vicki,

I have done encased beads using Chads method but when you press the bead the inner color will spread sometimes nicely and sometimes not. I have not tried pressing the inner color then encasing and pressing again.

Barb

[Sue H-K]

I can't ever get mine to look right if I encase first, but I have done some where I made a small lentil and then encased it with stringer and then re-pressing in my larger sized lentil mold.

[Cosmo]

The way I mentioned may or may not work. I've never used a press. But, I would imagine that if I were to do it, that way would work best. Just remember that you'll see the encasing a lot more along the thinner edges of the bead.

[VickiK]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. A while back, I did try to slightly squeeze an encased round. It has some uneven clear spots around the edge exactly like you said, Chad, but not horribly bad. So I guess that's just normal. Of course, it could be my encasing - it stinks in a major way, LOL!! I think I'll try again, using both techniques. Thanks again! :smile:

[MaryBeth]

When I encase my lentils I do them prior to pressing. This works well for me because I am doing abstract designs.

To ensure that your casing is even you must have your core bead correctly shaped prior to adding the casing layer.

For me a nicely shaped olive bead works the best (basically a football shape without the pointy ends.)

I then use stringers to case the inner core - it is easier to get an even casing layer on. After smoothing the casing layer with the flame marver your bead back into that nice olive shape before pressing.

After pressing I use the top of the bead press as a marver to nudge the ends into a pleasing curve if necessary and to coax thicker areas of glass to the thinner areas. I usually press at least once again.

I am starting to work on encased floral lentils. There was an article in Step-by-Step beads about a year ago on how to do these. These types of lentils look best if you use the smaller lentil shape and press to make a core bead, then add your flowers, then case the lentil shape and then repress the bead in the next larger lentil shape. The person who wrote the article also used stringers to case the preformed lentil. The end result was gorgeous and the flowers did not get that weird squashed look that they can get in cased lentils.

Hope this helps:cool:

[alexm]

There are some great tips in here already, so the only thing I have to add is this: when you are ready to press the final time, take the bead out of the flame and count to at least five slowly, ten if you really got it hot and very molten, then press. Don't forget to rotate the mandrel while you are counting. This wait give the glass some time to cool and firm before press and helps to reduce distortion.

[Shawn T]

I agree with MaryBeth and Alex also.
I do my encased lentil exactly how MaryBeth explained.
Except I don't use a stringer.

Football base shape, and wait till it's really cold, My first encasing swipe is down the center of the bead, and than I heat only the swipe and use a marver or tool to spead it out, than thin encaseing on the edges. I use my Whimsy tool to push the glass to cover the points, heat and wait a few seconds before I press. This is the way I get a nice even encased lentil that you don't see a big transparent edge on them.

Oh and I do have to heat and press a few times, so I don't end up with the smiley face on my ends. Pushing the glass and adding a little bit of the transparent color as I go.