Off Mandrel beads

[DreamMuse]

I've been loving all of the off mandrel beads I've been seeing lately! So gorgeous!

But my main question is that I understand how to do most of the basics, and I assume that the bead is still on the punty when making the hole... so how do you hold it to break off the punty and flame polish that area? Hot fingers? Most of the hot fingers I've seen are way too large for some of these small-ish beads.

Anyone got any pointers?

[Cosmo]

I just grab it with a pair of tweezers.

[KLittle]

Tweezers for me too!

Kari

[DreamMuse]

Really? That won't chill particular spots too much? (I had a bad experience trying to hold a piece with tweezers, and once I reintroduced that part to the flame, it cracked and a piece flew off. Is that because I'm using Moretti instead of Boro? Or were my tweezers just too cold to start?)

And can you waft the entire thing through the flame, tweezers and all?

[loco]

I have made some off mandrel hollows, when I do I use tweezers. A quick in and out of the flame will heat them enough to prevent glass cracking. While keeping everything warm my tweezer do go in and out of the flame. I just don't get them hot enough to melt or stick to the glass.

[loco]

BTW make sure the tweezers or any metal tools are CLEAN. It's a killer to loose a good bead due to dirty tools!

[DreamMuse]

Thanks for the help, Chad, Kari and Loco *smiles* I'm really stoked to try some some new things. Man, so many ideas, so little time LOL

[Heather/Ericaceae]

I use flat pliers that I heat up a little before I grab the loop. As long as I can get the pendant off the punty fast enough I'm usually okay!

I have a related question - how does one drill a hole using tungsten? I've tried poking through when my loop collapsed once and it took me a while 'cause I couldn't figure out where the heat should go. Thanks!

-Heather

[Cosmo]

Heat the glass really hot. Then heat the tungsten itself, and push. As you are pushing, keep heating the tungsten right behind where it meets the glass. Remember to keep rotating it while you are pushing it.

However, I don't like using tungsten for holes. If I have a hole collapse, I pull off the extra glass, take a small rod, stick it to it, and make another loop.

[Cindy2]

I use soft glass for off mandrel - I use the smooth tweezers, no "ribs" on it. Make sure you flash the tweezers once or twice in the flame before you grab. Grab onto a fairly thick part of the piece - if you grab a thin part (like the petals of a flower) you are at a higher risk of it cooler off before you've fire polished the punty-scab :-)

Cindy

[DreamMuse]

Great explanation, Chad *G*

And thanks for the tips, Cindy! I have to say, I'm in love with your painted beads. I soooo want to try that someday soon.

[Cindy2]

And thanks for the tips, Cindy! I have to say, I'm in love with your painted beads. I soooo want to try that someday soon.

*blush* Thanks for the nice compliment! :-) When you finally try them, you'll love it! :-) You're welcome for the tip! :-)

Cindy