Teeny murrini

[truegem]

I order murinni from different people. I think, for the most part, they are too small. I'd say 90% of the time they are too small to really even use. I received an order recently where they were so tiny I wonder how I can even use them! Does anyone else feel the same?

=/

-Patti

[chrissij]

NEVER!!!

[tracidawn78]

All this post is going to do is have people speculating which murrini vendor you're talking about.

Most of them specify which size you're getting. I find that most murrini I get is actually too big for me (and I've bought from just about everyone out there), so I have to specifically request smaller sizes from the makers. They have all accommodated my request, or told me when it wasn't possible.

[SadiesJewels]

Hi Patti ... I prefer the bigger sizes too.

I think if you let the makers know most will try to accommodate you (probably going grrrr while they do)!

[jamie lynne]

Humm. I just started pulling my own, and some are about the thickness of a commercial stringer, but they are made to be mashed so that 2-3 mm ends up being 4-5mm sometimes even 6mm once they are smashed onto the bead. Then encasing spreads them even more.... There are bigger ones too of course. I'd like to hear feedback too before I go and list these and bum out a bunch of people.

[chrissij]

I find that most murrini I get is actually too big for me (and I've bought from just about everyone out there), so I have to specifically request smaller sizes from the makers. They have all accommodated my request, or told me when it wasn't possible.

I won't buy regular murrini. I beg the makers to sell me their left over small bits.

[Lisi]

I want teeny ones! Those "regular" sizes would make it hard to round out my small beads.

(well, mine are small, but not as cutesy small as chrissj's beads :))

[Carolyn M]

I use teeny for some beads, huge for others. I have never met a murrini that is too small for me to use!

[BellaBean]

Chrissij- I just started making more intricate murrini but suck at getting an even pull. As a result, I have bunches of teeny tinies that just get tossed. I'll happily send you them the next time my pull goes awry! I'd rather give them away than trash them. If you want them, just pm me your address.

[chrissij]

Chrissij- I just started making more intricate murrini but suck at getting an even pull. As a result, I have bunches of teeny tinies that just get tossed. I'll happily send you them the next time my pull goes awry! I'd rather give them away than trash them. If you want them, just pm me your address.

Goody!!!!

I'm in the RAOGK. I'll send you beads!!

[chrissij]

(well, mine are small, but not as cutesy small as chrissj's beads :))

Cutesy...I like that. :flirt:

I've been called that all my life.

[Gelly]

I prefer small murrini too. I like them thin and skinny. If they are too thick, they spread too wide and if they are wide to begin with... well, they just get wider. :lol:

[bexrox]

I ordered some once, and they are about 1-2 mm thick. I felt unable to use them. I've pulled some recently, and discovered that 3-5mm thick is good for me. I wonder where those teenies are...

[Lara]

I like the regular size (4-6 mm), but do wish they were on the thin size

[Katie Gee]

Patti,

When you say too small, what size are you talking about? 2mm? 3mm? What size are you wanting? 5mm? 6mm? Or maybe even 7 or 8mm? It's hard to go by large or small.

I intentionally put a variety of sizes in my murrini mixes, because depending on the bead, sometimes you need a small murrini, sometimes you need a large murrini, and sometimes something in between.

I'm not sure who you have been ordering from, and quite frankly I don't want to know. It's good to hear opinions on this. And it's even better if you can be a little more specific about what you are looking for. :smile:



I order murinni from different people. I think, for the most part, they are too small. I'd say 90% of the time they are too small to really even use. I received an order recently where they were so tiny I wonder how I can even use them! Does anyone else feel the same?

=/

-Patti

[glassymom]

I've never purchased any but I do make simple ones for my own use and I make them small because my beads are small. When I pull mine out they are different sizes so I'm sure others are like that.......like others are saying, just ask.
I know I would love to order some of the ones out there and am thrilled to know they are smaller too!! Yay!!
sue

[Hayley]

My murrini collection is usually between 3-6mm (most of them are 4-5mm) but if someone lets me know that they want bigger chips, I always accommodate. Personally I use larger ones since I make bigger beads.

[flyingcorgi]

I prefer the smaller ones as I like to use multiples, and the larger ones are just so ... dominating. I've even been known to re-pull large murrinis and recut them, to make smaller ones (it can be done)! They do spread considerably, at least the way I apply them. Then again, ones with intricate detail like Double Helix's latest need to stay large or you'd never see the complexity!

Regards,
- Becky in MN

[Douglas]

I have murrini from Lori and Kim, Hayley and Jet Age Studio, they all have a great range of diameters and I really like that as it does mean that you can use a size specific to the bead you are making or even have a few tapering down in size on one bead.
I use the Japanese style tweezers from Artco which have the pointed tungsten tips and they work very well when putting on murrini as the tip is small enough to hold every size firmly and allow the heat from the flame tip to warm them and the curve allows you to see clearly where you are placing them.

[BoulderGlassMonkey]

I like teenie tiny too! 2mm is best!

--Joy

[squid]

I like them all. I am an equal opportunity murrine mutilator.

[artwhim]

Patti, if they seem too small, only heat the spot on the bead enough to make the murrini stick, but not so hot that the murrini can be sunk into the bead. Then gently heat the murrini and lightly pat with a marver or the flat edge of a knife. Slowly continue to heat and pat until the murrini is almost even with the bead. Doing it this way will spread the murrini to a larger diameter.

[Katie Gee]

I like them all. I am an equal opportunity murrine mutilator.

:lol::lol::lol:

[Katie Gee]

Patti, if they seem too small, only heat the spot on the bead enough to make the murrini stick, but not so hot that the murrini can be sunk into the bead. Then gently heat the murrini and lightly pat with a marver or the flat edge of a knife. Slowly continue to heat and pat until the murrini is almost even with the bead. Doing it this way will spread the murrini to a larger diameter.

This is exactly how I do them. It works really well for me too.

[Shrimp]

I have found that if you don't ask for a larger murrini, you will get tiny ones. It isn't just one vendor selling the small ones, there are alot of them who do it. I'm thinking that it is assumed that since we use them in bead making, that we naturally would want "small". I have decided to request certain sizes according to the project that I have in mind. So far, the vendors have been accomodating when I request larger ones.

[jeepinwelch]

When I sell murrini I always list the size range and have a picture that shows an average order next to a ruler. They typically run from 4mm-8mm. I have no problem with someone asking for a particular size and will do my best to accomodate them. I pull some extra small and set them aside for a few "special" people.:-\"

If you got some from me that you can't use just shoot me a pm and I'll take care of it.

ETA: I'm mailing your mica tomorrow. I really didn't forget about it!

[truegem]

All this post is going to do is have people speculating which murrini vendor you're talking about.




I don't think so because I mentioned that I buy from several different vendors.

[zen-mom]

snip...
I use the Japanese style tweezers from Artco which have the pointed tungsten tips and they work very well when putting on murrini as the tip is small enough to hold every size firmly and allow the heat from the flame tip to warm them and the curve allows you to see clearly where you are placing them.

Awesome idea! I have those tweezers too, now I just have to remember this post the next time I go to use murrini.

I love most all size murrini. I pulled some of my own a couple months ago and some of that is the only murrini I would say was too small!!

[theglasszone]

Hey Patti! :)

If it happens that the murrini you're referring to is anything you purchased from my store, please shoot me a PM and if you can remember, the date you bought them. I'd happily refund on a return because it's important that any murrini customer of mine be satisfied with their purchase.

When I was first starting to sell my murrini, my pulls were much smaller. Now that I've done dozens of designs, use stainless steel punties, and have learned to control the gather much better, my murrini are a fairly consistent 4.5mm-6mm range most of the time.

I can say that personally, like others have mentioned, I've not met a murrini that is too small for me to come up with something to do with them. I, too, often ask if there's a skinny portion of the pull (happens sometimes if the gather over-heats/cools on one end more than the other) that I may purchase in addition to the slices being offered.

I love making micro marbles, and enjoy using the tiniest of chips to embed into them. These marbles, that are less than 6mm in diameter and all stuff into small vessels, are made with itty-bitty murrini chips that are 1mm or less - some from me and some from other artists:

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Bead%20Photos/Vessels/OceanV2.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Bead%20Photos/Vessels/OceanV3.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Bead%20Photos/Vessels/PirateV3.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Bead%20Photos/Vessels/PirateV1.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Bead%20Photos/Vessels/Thinner6.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Bead%20Photos/Vessels/Thinner1.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Bead%20Photos/OceanMarblesGroup.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Bead%20Photos/ClownMarble2.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Bead%20Photos/ClownMarble3.jpg

[truegem]

I'm talking about murrini that is 2mm or smaller. I just received some that is less than 2mm! You would have to use a magnifying glass to see the lovely pattern in them. I'm talking super teeny! But you are right, this is my own fault. Because I should have paid attention to the size before buying. Size matters. (Ha ha, to me it does anyway.)
I like the murrini for my focals. If you look at some people's focal beads and look at the murrini on the focal, you can see the murrini covers a certain amount of surface area. Well, with what I have been ordering lately, they cover much less surface area than what I am used to seeing on beads of similar size. This is what I am talking about. I don't mean to offend anyone. I'll look more carefully at the size before buying from now on.

[truegem]

Patti, if they seem too small, only heat the spot on the bead enough to make the murrini stick, but not so hot that the murrini can be sunk into the bead. Then gently heat the murrini and lightly pat with a marver or the flat edge of a knife. Slowly continue to heat and pat until the murrini is almost even with the bead. Doing it this way will spread the murrini to a larger diameter.

Kathy, I think this might also be part of my problem. They are not spreading enough because of the way I am applying them. Thanks for the tip!

[truegem]

ETA: I'm mailing your mica tomorrow. I really didn't forget about it!

Thank you so much!

[smiltroy]

Hi there, I recently started making and selling my murrini as many of you know, and I took in consideration all the murrini I bought from other people, I actually also think they are very small, but I had to make them for what people like.

I try to make them between 3mm and 4mm wich seems to be what most of you use and I usually also send some bigger ones then that for use in some different projects that can go between 5-6mm. For that reason I usually state on the listings they are between 3mm and 5mm, most of them being smaller and like 5 or 6 bigger (also although the ones I bought only sell the exact number they say, I allways count at least 33 chips, for them to compensate for the bigger ones :)

Also in my one of a kind murrini, OOAK1 (sold out) and OOAK2 they turned out a little smaller, between 2.3mm and 3mm but none of them are smaller then 2mm because I measured with a Digital Caliper before cutting them, if they were smaller then that they would not be usable I think xD

Also, if any of you would like some custom made just for you, I would be happy to do it, thinner (although I think the effects achieved with my murrini would not be so visible :P) or larger, as thick as they can fit in my cutters :)

I hope I helped you :)

P.S: Also if any of you bought or buy some murrini from me in the future, you can allways return them for a full refund as well as shipping and I will make them bigger for you and I promise I wont go grrr like Sadie said :P I allways want people to be perfectly satisfied with whatever they buy from me, and I want them to say so, if I dont know about it I cant start improving whatever is wrong :D

Tiago

[truegem]

Thanks for your input Tiago!

[JetAge Studio]

Patti, this is a great discussion, and I'm glad you brought it up. There are so many "tastes" and "likes" to the sizes of murrini, so it is good to get the feedback from buyers, I always welcome it. When I started pulling murrini, mine were on averaging 3mm because I personally liked using the small ones. Since then, from the feedback I received I now pull on average 3-5mm, and that seems to be a good size for most folks. Sometimes I pull them larger when the pattern needs it, and I'll always list the size. When I list my "micros", I'll list that as well.

It's good to see so many artists are interested in the micros (as I call them, they average 2mm). I'd avoided pulling those for a long while because I hadn't heard any interest in them (aside from Chrissi :lol:), but I recently started pulling a bit on some canes just for my personal use. So, this is good info to learn.

Thanks for sharing your opinion Patti.
Renee Wiggins

[theglasszone]

I'm talking about murrini that is 2mm or smaller...

:lol: What a DOLT I am!!! Just ran though my entire history, and I've not sold you any of MY murrini...YET! (WINK, NUDGE!) Sorry about that...

Anyway, all the murrini I have listed, except for my "Girly Skulls w/Pink Bows" (some are 2-3mm) are between 4-6mm, as this seems to be the preference.

In addition, even with pre-heating, I find the larger (7-9mm or bigger) murrini is ultra sensitive and will CRACK (yikes!) if not only pre-warmed on a warmer/kiln but also must be introduced at the back of the flame and carefully applied.

De

[chrissij]

It's good to see so many artists are interested in the micros (as I call them, they average 2mm). I'd avoided pulling those for a long while because I hadn't heard any interest in them (aside from Chrissi :lol:), but I recently started pulling a bit on some canes just for my personal use. So, this is good info to learn.

Thanks for sharing your opinion Patti.
Renee Wiggins

What is this you say? You're purposefully pulling them my size and chose to keep them all to yourself!?!?!? I'm not sure how I feel about that. :poke:

I'm practically positive you could make amends. When I have money. :flirt:

[Otter]

This has been a very good thread to read through. I have learned a lot about what people like as far as murrini sizes here. I always list the size of my murrini in my listings and sometimes have worried that mine might be to big.

I have also found that people will email me and ask for the larger or smaller ones depending on what they are working on and am happy to work with my customers to find the perfect size murrini for there needs.

I also have a full refund policy on my murrini if you don't like them for any reason I will take them back.

John

[playswithfire104]

Patti I have only ordered murrinni a couple of times and was totally surprized at how small they were. I have been making my own and they are never smaller than about 7 or 8 mm. What I got was maybe 4 mm or smaller. I was shocked! I suppose I'm not applying them correctly. When I got my first batch I thought it was a joke. I thought "I paid HOW much for these tiny little slivers!?!" But it was a fund raiser so I just let it go. Also I don't remember reading anywhere what the size was so it wasn't like I was lied to or anything. Then I ordered another batch from someone else and again I was shocked at the size. But again I don't remember any size being mentioned. So at this point I figured I must be the one with the issue. When looking at beads on line unless there is something else in the picture to give the bead scale it is really hard to tell how big the bead is yet alone how big the murrinni is.

So am I understanding this correctly - that if applied correctly the murrinni will about double in size on the bead?

[jamie lynne]

Yep. Just set a preheated slice on top, don't push it in, just let it stick. Then gently start melting it in, it will kinda round up, then squish it gently with a marver... repeat until it is flush with your base bead or you can leave them raised too. :) Just this process should double the size of the murrini, but then when you encase that also spreads it. I've found a little goes a long way. And for the record I thought the same thing when I got my first murrini, What the heck am I going to do with this?

This bead is made with 3mm (ish) murrini. The bead is about 16mm X 9.5

http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt16/tangledskyglass/murrini53.jpg

[Hayley]

I'd say the murrinis "grow" about 50% in size.

These are made with Double Helix's ginormous ones at about 6-7mm and grew to be about 9-10mm on the bead.

202048
202049

These are from my Murrini Collection that are about 4-6mm (4 being the smallest and 6 the largest) that grew to about 6-9mm on the bead:

200519

[truegem]

One question while we are on this topic....if the glass curls inward then how do you get all the layers to show? Wouldn't just the outer layer show? I guess you press it to prevent the curling in, but I have tried this and I can see that it still curls in for the most part.

[midniteburner]

I used to make a lot of beads with murrini and find for me the 4-5mm work best. The teeny tiny ones do make pretty patterns for the center of flowers though.

Sara

[FishBulb]

One question while we are on this topic....if the glass curls inward then how do you get all the layers to show? Wouldn't just the outer layer show? I guess you press it to prevent the curling in, but I have tried this and I can see that it still curls in for the most part.

First heat the spot on the bead where the murrini is to go -- heat it quite hot, so you can push the murrini in about 1/3 of the way. Gently heat the part that is still sticking out, only a little heat, then marver straight on. Do your best not to smear. Keep doing this and eventually the murrini will just flatten into the bead without the outside covering the inside too much.

[truegem]

Hayley, I've told you before that bottom bead is my absolute fav murrini of yours! Yum yum yummmm!

[Katie Gee]

First heat the spot on the bead where the murrini is to go -- heat it quite hot, so you can push the murrini in about 1/3 of the way. Gently heat the part that is still sticking out, only a little heat, then marver straight on. Do your best not to smear. Keep doing this and eventually the murrini will just flatten into the bead without the outside covering the inside too much.

What FishBulb says works really well. Also, if it's a short murrini, or if you are wanting it to become wider as you marver, you can just heat the spot on the bead where the murrini is going and lightly heat the very bottom of the murrini, but don't push it into the bead - just attach it to the surface. It will stick, and if you are doing like above - little heat ~ flatten, little heat ~ flatten, etc - it will not come off the bead while you're working it. ;-)

[theglasszone]

Don't forget, too - you can add a drop of clear atop the applied murrini, while it's still raised a bit. Heat and flatten the clear so it's like a little "lid" cap on the murrini. Then as you continue to heat, flatten and press the murrini and the lid into the bead, use a flat-down, straight (no shifting or you risk smearing!) hand-held marver working method. Another tip: as you heat and flatten the clear lid, gently work around the perimeter - as if you were truly putting a lid on top of a container (think "tupperware" here, for lack of a better description) and this will help to spread out the top rim edge of the murrini, as well as "lens" it.

De

[JetAge Studio]

I'm practically positive you could make amends. When I have money. :flirt:

Of course darlin'! Just let me know! :) Did you see that I have the Goldrush murrini in Micro size as well, wink?!

[JetAge Studio]

One question while we are on this topic....if the glass curls inward then how do you get all the layers to show? Wouldn't just the outer layer show? I guess you press it to prevent the curling in, but I have tried this and I can see that it still curls in for the most part.

Patti, I have a tutorial that pretty much describes the same advice folks are describing how to use them here, but the picts in the tutorial might help to make it clear. Feel free to download it: http://www.jetagestudio.com/assets/PDF%20tutorials/JetAge_Studio_Murrini_Tut.pdf

Renee

[Lulu]

OMG De! Those Micro Marbles are so freakin CUTE!!

[Katie Gee]

Patti, I have a tutorial that pretty much describes the same advice folks are describing how to use them here, but the picts in the tutorial might help to make it clear. Feel free to download it: http://www.jetagestudio.com/assets/PDF%20tutorials/JetAge_Studio_Murrini_Tut.pdf

Renee

I have to say Renee, your free turtorial is the bomb. I started to write one myself, but when I read yours, well let's just say you have pretty much covered it PERFECTLY!! :love:

~ I think everyone should read it, even if they think they have murrini application down pat!! ~

[JetAge Studio]

Thanks so much Kathy! I really appreciate the compliment!

[chimehk]

for thicker commercial murrinis, is it safe to still cut them up thinner? Will the whole thing cracks?

[lunamoonshadow]

i cut mine & it usually works ok

[artwhim]

for thicker commercial murrinis, is it safe to still cut them up thinner? Will the whole thing cracks?

If I have one that doesn't cut evenly, I like to use the partial chip alongside a full murrini on the bead. I position it so it looks like the missing part is just hidden behind the full murrini. Afterall, in nature that's the way flowers appear.

[woozles]

Ok, I am officially inspired to use my murini again this weekend! I have been suffering from not understanding how to get the most out of my murini, with all the tips I am planning to try again.

Thank you!

[JetAge Studio]

Good luck Vicki! Let us know if you have any questions.
Renee

[SELSEY]

Most that I get are too large. I end up pulling them down smaller which is fine for me. It gives me more flexibility.

[SELSEY]

It is a great tut Renee! I hadn't seen it before now.