Embellishing Lentils

[laurellanestudios]

I've been playing it safe...using only frit to make lentil shapes.

Now I'd like to step out of my little box and embellish lentils with scroll work and melted dots.

Do you FIRST press the glass into the lentil shap and THEN add dots and scroll work. THEN melt that in and reshape?

I know....fairly basic question but your help will certainly make it easier for me to get started with this.

As always, thanks for your help.

Kathy

[JavaGirlBT]

Generally, I do not press the lentil before I do scrolls and dots. But you certainly could do it that way. Try both ways and see which works best for you.

[sassy]

I press first then add decoration and then fire polish.

[Cosmo]

I don't use presses, but I make many shaped beads. I shape the bead first, then add decoration. Kind of like the old carpenter's addage - a house is only as strong as its foundation. Get the base the shape you want first, then add decorations. If you decorate and then shape, you run the risk of distorting your design trying to get the shape you want.

[alexm]

You you've only used frit and presses, I would suggest the following:

1. make your base bead and press
2. decorate the bead and gently melt in
3. press again

I usually decorate the base bead then press, but it takes more skill than what I described above and if you're not careful, you can smear the design. That's why I recommend the above procedure for newbies.

When you master the above, try decorating then pressing. To do this, take the bead out of the flame, count to 7 or 8, then GENTLY press. This cooling down period will let your bead firm up and it lessens distorting the design.

[laurellanestudios]

Good tips. Thanks.

Off to the torch with your suggestions in mind!

Kathy

[Steph'sBeadCorner]

For scroll design and flowers that are melted in... I make the design first melt in and then press. If I add dots I add them to the design after I press. Dots just don't want to keep a crisp round shape when they are pressed. I think Corina credited someone for that "tip" on her website... but I can't remember the beadmaker's name.

19840


ps... I know these aren't lentils... same concept. :-D