Ruffled disk beads.....how are they made?

[Jammy]

I've seen these types of beads and they are so delicate looking and lovely.
They look to be thin disks made by simply winding the glass on the mandrel in very thin layers, building the layers up while being very careful not to get them lopsided. The seams between the layers are not melted in, but instead left pronounced. Some of these disks have been ruffled around the edges somehow. Could someone tell me how these are made? Is there a special tool for this?

[wendbill]

I think Cattwalk has a ruffler plank of some sort.

Otherwise there's a pair of jewellery pliers that has a curve in it as well.

http://www.leonardolampwork.com/ruffler-tool.htm

[Reenie]

Jammy,
You can also use tweezers if you can't afford a press. Just make the disk and use the tweezers to keep them from getting lopsided.....Melt in to however you want. Leave it raised a bit or melt all the way, then take the tweezers and just kind of squeeze and turn just a bit. Then do that a few times around the bead and you'll get pretty ruffles.
I don't have one to show you right now but I'm sure someone will post ;-)

[DesertDreamer]

Suture tweezers. They're awesome little tools. They're tweezers that have very narrow tips at the ends, instead of gradually tapering.

If you have a dental pick, you can nudge the edges with that, too.

It's amazing how many medical instruments can be hijacked. ;)

[jana]

Is this what your looking for?

http://www.beadworx.com/HowToMakeARuffleBead.html

I am also going to post the index of this site because I think it is a value resource to bookmark: http://www.chockadoo.com/Tutorials/tuts.html

[Jammy]

Thanks so much everyone for the ideas, and yes Jana.....that is exactly what I'm looking for! I'm going to try it. Thanks!

[rverk47]

i've seen that tutorial before, they are so fun..i don't think they are so easy though..i guess i need to keep practicing..i also have the ruffler tool and the cattwalk tool..the ruffler doesn't make it any easier for me and i have not mastered the cattwalk tool..

[Darelyn]

I just use the tweezers and have great results. People love these beads. Just slide them on a hoop earring and away you go. I've found that these are a good way to use the filgree rods (clear over color).

[Jammy]

Jammy,
You can also use tweezers if you can't afford a press. Just make the disk and use the tweezers to keep them from getting lopsided.....Melt in to however you want. Leave it raised a bit or melt all the way, then take the tweezers and just kind of squeeze and turn just a bit. Then do that a few times around the bead and you'll get pretty ruffles.
I don't have one to show you right now but I'm sure someone will post ;-)

Thank you Irene. I love ruffles, but just as long as they aren't too ruffly, more like wavy disks.

[Jammy]

Suture tweezers. They're awesome little tools. They're tweezers that have very narrow tips at the ends, instead of gradually tapering.

If you have a dental pick, you can nudge the edges with that, too.

It's amazing how many medical instruments can be hijacked. ;)

LOL! I think I'll try those!

[playswithfire104]

Is this what your looking for?

http://www.beadworx.com/HowToMakeARuffleBead.html

I am also going to post the index of this site because I think it is a value resource to bookmark: http://www.chockadoo.com/Tutorials/tuts.html



Great link! Thanks!