Can I take a bead out of the kiln and add glass?

[peaceofglass]

Hi,
I have never posted anything before. I am a newbie. I was beading today and a skunk came into my garage. I totally panicked and put my bead into the kiln and got out of there. The skunk left and I want to finish my bead. Can I take it out of the kiln and add more glass?

[SteveWright]

I've had uneven results doing that. To pull it off, get the bead in the back of the flame as fast as possible. Remember, the mandrel will be hot. Bring the bead up to temperature slowly then finish it.

Or, chalk it up to skunky luck and remake them.

Steve

[NMLinda]

OMG - a skunk!!!! I'm surprised you had the presence of mind to get your bead in the kiln!!

Yes, you can add glass to your bead (I'd make that skunk do it, though, just for payback on the heart-attack it gave you.....). Did you leave the mandrel handle out of the kiln with the kiln door closed over it or did you put the mandrel all the way in? If the former, it might be cool enough to hold (but be careful!). If the latter, grab the mandrel nearish the bead with something like a long-handled hemostat or long nosed pliers and cool the end of the mandrel you want to hold in water (best to have a cup of water handy near the kiln). This can be tricky - you want a FIRM grasp on the mandrel so that it doesn't accidentally slip and touch you. Warm the bead slowly in the back of the flame, keeping it turning so that the heat is even. Ever so slowly bring it into the working part of the flame, and you can resume working on it. With care, you can do this without cracking the bead.

Hope that skunk didn't spray you!

Linda

[peaceofglass]

Thanks Steve,
I will re-do it...I probably would have grabbed the hot mandrel so thanks for saving my hand!
Our neighbors have caught 6 skunks this week and there are 2 more around.
Jen

[peaceofglass]

Thanks Linda
I was freaking out in silence!!!!!!!!

[tt4st]

Hahaha... you dodged a big, stinky bullet!

You should be able to rework your bead by introducing it back slowly into the flame and heating like Linda said. To cool down my mandrel - I take a damp rag, or paper towel, and run it up and down the mandrel end that is sticking out of the kiln. It cools it down enough so that you can grab it. I have better luck with this technique than the "hemostat and water dip" trick.

[PaulaD]

Yes I do it all the time. Wear an oven Mitt to grab the mandrel and slowly bring your bead up to temp in the back of the flame.
Paula

[FishBulb]

I'm sorry, but your post made me laugh peaceofglass! Good thing you spotted it before it "spotted" you!

[peaceofglass]

Hee Hee...it is pretty funny! Our neighbors caught a total of 9 skunks...I will keep my half finished bead to remember my little story
Thanks for all the great advice
Jen
:)

[peaceofglass]

FishBulb... glad to bring a laugh to a fellow Northerner, eh!