Tiger Stripes

[paintingwithglass]

Ever wonder how to make a tiger striped bead? They are really easy to make.

Tiger Stripes:

The tiger stripe beads are created by first pulling a twisty of the colors you choose. In this case let's use ivory and black. Then make a small core base bead in the shape that you want the bead to be. Starting at the mandrel wind the twisty around and around and around the bead. Encase in lt. amber/topaz and melt smooth. Can add raised dots, etc. or shape/press the bead again.

Note: When encasing...just like encasing in clear...the encasing rod of glass should be hot and the core bead should be warm but not hot...you want to make sure not to smear the core bead's glass when encasing.

Other colors:
Black and orange twisty
Black and ivory encased with any transparent

Here is a pic of rainbow tiger beads:
http://pitadesigns.com/images/art_0202.jpg

[paintingwithglass]

In case you do not know how to do an easy twisty. Here is what I do:
How to make a twisty:

Take two rods (ivory and black)
Tape them together (at end that will be away from the fire)
Slowly heat the end of the two rods
Use your tweezers or pliers and pinch the end together—this creates a handle
Then hold the handle with the tweezers/pliers and slowly heat the rods
Turn the rods and pull the tweezers in the opposite direction slowly and this will create a twisty. :D

[sadiesmom]

Thanks Fay!! I forgot about animal beads... I'll have to give that a shot!!

[Emily NZ]

I tried this last weekend. I used black and white twisty and random dot encased with three different transparent ambers.
This is what came out of the kiln.
Emily (trying pic posting here for the first time!)

[Gwenlori]

Fey Great tutorial. I made some today and pressed them into a tab shape. I will post pics in the am.

Gwen

[paintingwithglass]

Great tiger bead Emily!! I like the 3color shading. =D>

Gwen I look forward to seeing what you made. :D

[Gwenlori]

Ok here they are.

[paintingwithglass]

=D> =D> =D> Very cool Gwen!! They look grrrrrreeeeeaaaaaaattttt!!

[thl]

I registered just to tell you thanks for this awesome tutorial. I'm just starting out and finally I produced a bead that made my DH say "This is neat, how did you do that?" fortunately, he doesn't judge wonkyness.

Thank you so much for putting the tutorial on line.

Attached is a few of my attempts using different encasing colors. Never mind the smeared rose I'm still working on those.;) Er and my photography...

[GiGiC]

I was just trying to figure out how to do this the other day with little success. I will go home and try it tonight. Thanks!

[Roseanne]

Make sure the glass your melting to encase is VERY soft before you lay it down. :)

93072

[scootrgrl]

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e207/scootrgrl/IMGP6476.jpg

I always like to keep my first attempts at making a new style of bead so I can wear them with pride. It's always exciting learning something new and waiting for the kiln to finish and hope like hell that it comes out great!

Janet

[Tesorobeads]

Beautiful tiger stripe selection. I cannot wait to try this tutorial.

Debbie

[gubnavnania]

I made some tiger beads.

This one is on Etsy atm
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/gubby_design/jewellery651a.jpg

[LaurieBSmith]

Encasae them with the varying shades of amethyst and purples for purple tigers...

Add a few dots of transparent yellow around the bead and then use various ambers on top....lovely color variations.

I've made the base with black and yellow....encased in three ambers.....I liked them too.

[paintingwithglass]

Wow! You all are making awesome tiger striped beads!! Way to go!!=D>=D>=D>

You can do so many different color variations too.

This is an old tutorial from 2005...so it is fun to see you all inspired to make some tiger striped beads!!

Happy melting~
Fay

Gubnavnania--your stripes are tight!!
Debbie--please show us pics when you make some.
Janet--wow! your first is fabulous!! Aren't they easy to create?!! Can't wait to see some more.
Roseanne--when encasing you want the encasing rod to be very hot (just like encasing a bead in clear) and the core bead to be warm but not hot so you do not smear the core bead's glass. I love the bracelet!!
THL-- you are so welcome!! I was addicted to making these my first year of lampworking. They make an impact! and peeps love tiger striped beads!! It is great to see your beginning ones...can't wait to see some more!:-D

[pinkcloud2]

I love everyone's beads and suggestions. I'm curious, what color are everyone's base beads?

Thanks,
Alicia

[paintingwithglass]

Hi Alicia!!

My base bead was usually black.

[Flame Crazy]

I made some tiger beads.

This one is on Etsy atm
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/gubby_design/jewellery651a.jpg

These are my fav! Looks like there is some silvered ivory in there.

[pinkcloud2]

Thanks Fay,

I have tried it with a dark amber base, but I had some trouble fully covering the base bead with the stringer.

Thanks again for the tutorial,
Alicia

[paintingwithglass]

Hi Alicia!

Here are a few more tips:
I would make a bunch of twisties...and just have a pile of them...so if I ran out I had the next one set to go to finish covering the base bead. Start near one hole then go round and round the base bead and firecut the twisty at the opposite end.

Touch/Tap the end of each twisty down to the base bead with a razor or brass marver so that it does not bleed when you hit it with heat.

The twisty will spread out when it is melting so try to get the twisties close together...if there is some space between it does not matter...it does not have to be perfect..that is the best part about tiger stripes!!