how do you use a heart shaped press?????

[Jane B]

:waving: Hi all, i need some help please, i have a heart shaped press and have no idea how to use it, does anyone know of a tutorial for this or could someone please advice, i would appreciate any help, thank you:cool:

Cheers Jane\\:D/

[Mustang Dawn]

Hi Jane,

Here is how I make them. This is for Mike's Brass for Glass Heart press.

Make a cone shaped bead a few mm's shy of the mandrel end holes and give it a gentle squish in the press. This makes the bottom half nice and also show's you where you need to add the glass up top. Then I add a ball of glass up on both out sides and reheat and squish until you have the right amount of glass needed.

If you are adding frit on the bead make your base just a little bit smaller so you don't over fill the press when adding the frit. The same goes when making flowers.

I would start making a one color heart first. This will give you an idea of how much glass to use. I used my corals just for fun and I love how they turned out. I would love to see some of your finished beads. If you have any questions just pm me. I hope to have a picture tutorial up soon.

Have a Great day,

Dawn

[Jane B]

:smile: Thanks Dawn, it is Mike's press that i have and you would most likely be the best to give advice for it8-) , so thank you, that was sort of how i was trying to use it but i have been getting a little ridge around the top part of the heart before it branches out, if you can understand that, i could post a photo later but i have to take kids to tennis lesson now, i am new at all this and very press chanenged#-o so i may have to come back with more questions, must run

Cheers Jane

[fritobsessed]

I can vouch for Dawn's directions - they're the ones that she gave me as well. It takes a little practice to figure out how much glass to have if you add frit - I'm not quite there yet - but the single color hearts aren't too bad.

[Mustang Dawn]

Hi Ladies :),

I know why your branching out (I like that term) When you add your glass to the sides to fill out the top. Add the glass it to the outside top so the glass flows toward the mandrel. I got perfect hearts once I did that. Also once you add your sides heat it up a bit so the glass can move a bit (skin should be formed) and put it in the base of the press. This preforms the glass a bit and lets you know if you need to add more glass and where it is needed.

I keep my presses on top of my torch so this is a really quick step. Once you make a few it becomes second nature.

I'm going to try this next week to make a Picture "how too" for this press. A picture is worth a thousand words, lol....Once you get the feel how to make them they go really fast.

Take care and have an awesome weekend,

Dawn

[Jane B]

Thanks Dawn, what an amasingly organised workbench:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Cheers Jane

[Allie_T]

Dawn, those are the same icetrays I keep my rods in (regardless that some colours take up more than one hole per colour). DH went out and bought me 12. I need more but I have decided to work through all the colours I have before cleaning more glass and shelving it all.

[Mustang Dawn]

Dawn, those are the same icetrays I keep my rods in (regardless that some colours take up more than one hole per colour). DH went out and bought me 12. I need more but I have decided to work through all the colours I have before cleaning more glass and shelving it all.

Hi Allie,

I only put about 5 rods in each tray and restock when they get low. I do have a wine rack for storage because I like to order a pound or two at a time. So when I restock my last 5 rods to the trays I know it's time to order that color glass.

I love having all my colors at my finger tips when torching. Plus, it's a great way to keep my stringers organized too.


Jane,

It not that neat right now :) I do like to keep it clean though. I can't torch when things get to messy.

TTFN, Dawn

[danelady]

hey those ice trays are KEWL! Where'd you get them please!??:waving:

[Mustang Dawn]

hey those ice trays are KEWL! Where'd you get them please!??:waving:

Hi Lynnie ;)

I bought mine at Wal Mart. They are pretty inexpensive too.


Happy Thanksgiving,

Dawn

[boxergirl]

My Wal-mart didn't have them, had to go to Linens-n-things (use a coupon!)

[playswithfire104]

How does your press stay on the torch? Is it attached some how?

[Mustang Dawn]

How does your press stay on the torch? Is it attached some how?

Hi Nancy,

I have a torch top marveler and the press just sits right on top of it. Here is a close up shot.

Take care,

Dawn

[Jane B]

:waving: Ok, i have had a go with the press, i thought i would post some pics here, i have not posted pics on LE before everyone is sooooo goood, but i must start somewhere:rolleyes: , so please be gentle.\\:D/

Cheers jane

[Mustang Dawn]

:waving: Ok, i have had a go with the press, i thought i would post some pics here, i have not posted pics on LE before everyone is sooooo goood, but i must start somewhere:rolleyes: , so please be gentle.\\:D/

Cheers jane

Hi Jane :waving:

Those are EXCELLENT! It looks like you know how to use the press perfectly :) One of my favorite things right now is to make Mikes Hearts in a solid color and then put enamel or frit on the front and back. Reheat and then squish with my squisher Mike made for me (two blank brass pieces). You can use your marvler to squish too. Here is an example of my squished ones.

Have an awesome day,

Dawn

[playswithfire104]

Thanks Dawn.

[mikesbrassforglass.com]

:waving: Ok, i have had a go with the press, i thought i would post some pics here, i have not posted pics on LE before everyone is sooooo goood, but i must start somewhere:rolleyes: , so please be gentle.\\:D/

Cheers jane

Hi Jane,

I think you did a great job=D> I love the bright cheerful colors!

Take care,

Mike