Mandrel Wound Implosion Beads Tutorial

[firedancer]

Way to go Kellie: I waited forever to try one. Good for you. :)

[SilverRiverJewelry]

I pulled one out of the kiln yesterday, dark purple and orange. I am very happy with this one, as soon as I get pics I will post them. I really, really like this technique.
And Nell I am so jealous that you are getting a cricket! (in the best possible way, I am excited for you!) I was saving up for one but due to a serious slow down for my husbands business, the money is going for bills instead lol! I will just have to wait for spring when business picks up a bit. Can't wait to see what you can do with it!

[firedancer]

Thanks Sonja: That post was in October. I have had it about a month now. It took awhile, to get used to it. In fact, I am still learning. It's like starting all over again. I loved my Hothead, especially when working with silver glass.

[one hot beader]

If your implosion beads are cracking, don't throw them away. Split them completely (with a small screw in one end until they crack right through)

Make sure they are really clean of bead release.

Then slump them into cabs!

They make the most fabulous cabachons!

:waving:

[firedancer]

What a great idea, except I do not think the chili pepper kiln I own will slump glass.

[jknapp]

Hurray Mary, thanks very much,

[s38hyler]

glad someone bumped this up, I am going to take another shot at getting one to work out right, just as soon as I get my table set back up.
Sandra

[theglasszone]

Special Thanks to Mary Moth for sharing this awesome Tutorial! I've watched this thread for a long time...and have longed to try this method! Of course, leave it to ME to do something crazy and unconventional! :lol:

I actually tried it "off mandrel", which allowed me to make this Pineapple "topper" for my Spongbob's little undersea home!

I'm so happy with how it turned out...well, the topper at least!:rolleyes: I should have used bigger dots on the Pineapple to make them spread closer when melted in, but you get the idea, I hope!

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Bead%20Photos/Spongebob%20Murrini/SBBeads10.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Bead%20Photos/Spongebob%20Murrini/SBBeads9.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x280/theglasszone/Bead%20Photos/Spongebob%20Murrini/SBBeads7.jpg

Thanks Mary!

Hugs,
De

[alb6094]

De that pineapple rocks! I love seeing all the sponge bob murrinis together. :)

[sansan239s]

Yeah..!!! Thanks Mary, I actually have something that I can post here, from your awesome tutorial, for this lil'ole newbie!!
205634

I actually won 2nd place in the Artistry In Glass bead contest for this bead, in the beginner category! thanks again!

[FishBulb]

I can't remember if I posted in this thread before, but THANKS MARY!

I'm heading back out to the studio right now and I may just give this a shot.

[CrestJewels]

I have tried this with soft glass and have made several as trials. I have the technique down but I am struggling with one thing---the dots that are closer to the mandrel do not seem to migrate down to form the implosion. Am I not applying enough heat to the center? I have been keeping the heat toward the rim once I tip the mandrel down but now I wonder if I am neglecting the center dots toward the mandrel. Any advice is much appreciated!

[QuiteCuntrary]

Wow, Mary! I love the way the striped twisties look. Very unique. :)

[CrestJewels]

Well, after a few more practices-I got it down, and it actually looks pretty good (for a newbie). Thank you Mary for this great tutorial-I have been playing with a few variations and it has been pretty fun to see the creativity and options you can do with this!

[Icre8art]

Here is my latest attempt! Not a great picture for detail, it's cool in person though. A double implosion bicone. Mary, you be De' Bomb!!!!
~Suzy~
4216

Suzy, what color is that sweet black/blue color swirl on the middle of your bead???

Excellent!:love:

[glassygear]

So glad this got bumped up. I am inspired by what is here, and plan to have a go once my torch is up and running again.

[Sati1]

Thanks for the lesson, my beads :)
http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/uploadedimages.php?viewid=217795

[debezog]

Thanks for bumping this up. I have tried these in the past and never had it really work. But this tutorial makes it so clear. I am going to try again on Monday (when I am next at my torch).

Love all the beautiful beads.

[Wildtorches]

OMGoodness, I am so happy to have read this tutorial this morning. Usually I head straight for the gallery to see what everyone has posted (which I did do first today as well). But I read this tut and ran outside in 32 degrees to try it. OMGoodness, I DID IT!!!! I actually made an implosion bead (3 of them) the 1st; not so good but then I GOT IT!!!! Made 2 more which were alot better, still will need about 10 tons of practice but I am so proud of my little newbies. I'll post the pittiful little babies when they cool. Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial.

[Moth]

I have tried this with soft glass and have made several as trials. I have the technique down but I am struggling with one thing---the dots that are closer to the mandrel do not seem to migrate down to form the implosion. Am I not applying enough heat to the center? I have been keeping the heat toward the rim once I tip the mandrel down but now I wonder if I am neglecting the center dots toward the mandrel. Any advice is much appreciated!

The dots closer to the mandrel on the disk won't implode as much as the dots further out, but they should still look imploded. The reason they don't travel down is because they don't have as far to travel. If you look closely at the sample beads I posted, you can see where the dots near the center of the disk are round puffy dots, and the ones further out are elongated. Just the nature of the beast I'm afraid!


Great everybody. This really is a fun technique that developed while I was trying to adapt offhand lampworking and furnace glass techniques to mandrel work. Beadmakers like a handle. :wink:

~~Mary

[Beatrix92]

Here are my attempts. Your tutorial was so easy to follow and I have a new obsession.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Bea
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