Big Hole Beads?

[CSimi115]

I'm a beginner and I want to try to make Pandora type beads. I have the correct mandrels. My problem is that I can't get the glass spread out to make a round ball. Is there a tutorial for this? Do I need a bead roller?

Thanks
Chris

[lenora]

Start with a wider footprint of glass to get a true round bead.

[merigypsy]

Heat up what you have on there and then roll it on a marver. This helps with the wider footprint. I found it took so practive adjusting to these bigger mandrels. But like anything PPP will get you there!

[redbearmountain]

One of Donna's bead rollers would probably be great. www.CGBEADS.COM She also makes pandora size rollers.

[misspiggy]

Sorry to butt in but what size mandrel do you need for pandora type without silver insert?
So much confusing info on sizes.

Is it 3/16 or 5/32????

thanks,Christy

[giapet]

Sorry to butt in but what size mandrel do you need for pandora type without silver insert?
So much confusing info on sizes.

Is it 3/16 or 5/32????

thanks,Christy

The 5/32 is a better fit but the 3/16 is only a tad bigger and easier to find.

[theglasszone]

Maybe this will help...some pics from a Tutorial of mine (on the subject of Black Nebula) but it shows how I wind my footprint onto a 3/16" mandrel. Once you get it on there and even, you can continue to marver it into something of a longer barrel shape. If you want to make it go "round", marver it into an even wider barrel and add another layer directly down the CENTER of the barrel only. Once it's returned to the flame and heat is give to the center applied layer only, the sides pull in a bit and the center layer starts to even out making the gather go round. ;)

Heat the mandrel thoroughly to glowing; simultaneously heat the tip of your glass rod:
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Reduction%20Tutorial/DSC01525.jpg

Begin a nice, even, narrow wind as the "footprint":
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Reduction%20Tutorial/DSC01528.jpg

Add a second layer; melt in:
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Reduction%20Tutorial/DSC01529.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Reduction%20Tutorial/DSC01531.jpg

Use your graphite marver to flatten this footprint a bit as well as true up the sides as necessary:
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Reduction%20Tutorial/DSC01534.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Reduction%20Tutorial/DSC01536.jpg

Very gently marver again to flatten if you wish, or leavel as a "donut".
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Reduction%20Tutorial/DSC01537.jpg

This method creates a bead that looks like this:
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Reduction%20Tutorial/GreenEnvyBHB1.jpg

If you want to make a round, slowly and gently flatting this donut shape to spread it out about twice this width, then follow my instructions above about adding another wrap to just the center of the flattened barrel.

Hope this helps you a bit. :)

[CSimi115]

Thanks so much! I love it! I really like the smaller shaped one. That helped alot. I will try it out tomorrow.

Chris S.

[merigypsy]

Great job DeAnne, you explained and showed it in a clear manner!