Butterfly implosion?

[Janel]

Was wondering if anyone knows how to implode a butterfly like you can with flowers. Thank you.

[Christopher Rice]

It's bascially the same as making a flower, only with the body down the center. And you would use only 4 lines to make the wings, two larger ones at the head, and two smaller ones towards the back of the flutterby. I wrote an article for Profitable Glass quite a while ago and it still hasn't come out, I think they are supposed to print it this spring, hope this helps. I'll try to find out when the article is coming out.
-chris

[madnesssr]

Chris, Those are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[country kid]

Hi Chris
Could you maybe draw a picture of which way the lines go, and where to place them on the maria (I think that's the right word)
Thanks Kare

[Christopher Rice]

Let's see if this works......
-chris

[Toni L.]

Oooh I'm gonna try! Thanks Chris!!

[country kid]

Thanks Chris how nice of you to go to the extra work of drawing us a picture I would be on my torch right now if I didn't have to leave for work in about a minute
Kare

[CalamitysClan]

Wow Chris. Wow. Oh I said that already but Wow. That was very kind of you to put up the drawing. Thanks.

[jknappcampbell]

Way cool. I've never seenthose before. They're beautiful.
Jill

[Feldt's Glass]

Wow!! Very cool thanks for sharing!

[Janel]

Thank you soooooooo much! I am so excited to give this a try.

[Christopher Rice]

Make sure you all post pics of your finished marbles or pendants, I want to see!!! And your most welcome, good luck, let me know if you have more questions!
-chris

[Dasi]

Thank you for your post. That looks like something new and fun to try!!!
I voted 5*. Your work is really beautiful!!

[jana]

Do you lay down all the components at one time, or do you implode one section for a little bit, then lay down another?

[bubblebabeuk]

Wow thats so cool of you to share this tut! Those marbles are AMAZING!

[Afterdark]

Holy Molly you marble people have incredible talent! Beautiful!

[Christopher Rice]

I do all the components at the same time. All this talk inspired me to make one today, thought I would share. I want to see some pics of yours!!
-chris


http://cnyglass.com/Quickstart/ImageLib/ybg.jpg (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=120116276801&rd=1&rd=1)

[Janel]

Those are soooooo beautifiul!!!! Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful!!!! Thank you again.

[Heather/Ericaceae]

Wow, Chris - thank you SO much for explaining that! I imagine it takes some practice to get them to turn out like yours do. :) But practicing will be fun!

[country kid]

Okay this is embarrassing but, I’m going to share anyway. Did someone say PRACTICE? I well need a lot of it! There is much that can go wrong from centering the body to not having perfectly smooth lines on the wing (the blue one my propane regulator was surging) …not imploding it enough, or too much, color choice (the reddish one is transparent when not against a black back ground. Well, you get it. Let’s see what the rest of you have come up with.
Kare

[Heather/Ericaceae]

Wow, Kare! The image is tiny but I can still definitely tell that those are some gorgeous butterflies! The blue one is my favorite.

[Moth]

Thank you so much Chris, for sharing your technique. I definitely want to give this a go tonight. I will post pictures of them even if they don't turn out.

Take care.
~~Mary

[tiggybubba]

68934

Here is my first attempt. Next time I wont make the body colour the same as the background colour (DOH!)

Leslie

[Christopher Rice]

Nice job you guys!! Keep them coming, my challenge today is to make one out of soft glass. I'll post some pics when it's done, this should be interesting!
-chris

[Toni L.]

Well here is my first attempt...

68989

not too bad I think! When I have asked people what they think it is, they have all said BUTTERFLY!!! :D

More practice time this week!!
:love:

[Christopher Rice]

That looks awesome!!! Great work!
-chris

[Moth]

Here's the one I tried last night. Not great, it'll take some practice, but it was really fun to do. Now that I understand what to expect a little better I can't wait to try more.

69129

Thanks again for sharing!

~~Mary

[Christopher Rice]

Now that's a cool one too. Great job, you all should be psyched! A little practice can go a long way. I still have to post pics of my first attempt at a soft glass marble. I'm so excited to be working in soft glass now, lots of new things to learn!!
-chris

[country kid]

Good to some other peoples pics. First time people? Really? You're good!
Leslie Love the warm summer colors
Toni Nice swirl reminds me of the art of the 60s-70s
Mary Cool great depth did you use a latacino?
Kare

[richsantaclaus]

What fun this was!!!!!

My question for you is...

It looks like a flower bottom! How can one stop the butterfly from going down so far to the bottom? Look at the side view to see what I mean. Also, the back parts of the wing stayed below the big wing? Any suggestions? A third problem was the body, it sunk down and looks bent inward? Help!

Thanks for your help - wish you lived next door!...lol

[mixednut]

Chris that is so nice to share I have never seen these before I will try one. I am amazed at your beauty and the color schemes WOW!

[Mr. Smiley]

Chris... you rock man. No other way to word it. Thanks for posting and helping these us out. I've admired your work for a long time... Now I've gotta try one too. :D

[Bob Torbett]

Chris... Those are fantastic. Like Brent said "You Rock Man".

What glass are you using for those? They are so clear and vibrant colors.

[Gwood]

This is the first time that I have uploaded an image. I am having a hard time getting a size that is small enough to upload. My camera is nor slouch but I am having an awful time with focus.

Well this is my first attempt of a Butterfly implosion. This is soft glass.
Thanks for the diagram.




69868

[Christopher Rice]

Thanks alot you guys, I appreciate the comments!! And thanks for posting those pics, looks like you are all doing well!! I've been in touch with Profitable Glass and they have recently teamed up with The Flow magazine, so this how to is going to be in the next issue. Be sure to check it out, it will have pics and a more in depth description. Thanks again, off to work!
-chris

[richsantaclaus]

Any suggestions Chris about my questions?

[Christopher Rice]

I always forget about the questions, sorry for that. Let's see, I'm not sure if there is a way to make them without the flower look, I've never tried any other way. With this implosion style marble, I think it will always look that way. As for the other question, did you pull the center of the disc at all? It sounds like you may have pulled it towards the end and that would have made it pull everything to the bottom. If not, you may have not melted it in straight. Sometimes if some parts are heated more than others they will implode faster. They will take some practice to get them perfect, it took me almost a year until I was completely happy with them. Hope this helps, keep your eyes out for the next Flow!
-chris

[Christopher Rice]

Oh ya, and I'm using boro for these here, Simax clear.
-chris

[richsantaclaus]

Thanks - I'll try again! I am using soft glass - maybe that's the problem!

[KTO]

Chis - This is what make LE such a wonderful place!!! Thanks for sharing with, inspiring, and encouraging so many people.

Now I'm off to the torch to play. I'll post some picks soon.

P.S. I agree YOU ROCK!!!!

[richsantaclaus]

Hey Chris - I tried another one tonight - I'll post it tomorrow for your evaluation. I altered the implosion a bit to try not to make my marble look like an altered flower implosion - I'd love to hear what you think of it tomorrow Chris. You have inspired me SO much - thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LaurieBSmith]

Oh Chris....thank you for being so generous and sharing this technique.....wow, beautiful beads!

[richsantaclaus]

Here it is Chirs and everyone - my 2nd attempt at the butterfly marble using soft glass. To try and stop the flower implosion look, I made a base of white for the little critter to sit upon. I'd love your comments please. I think the body got alot flatter than the first attempt and the antanne is alot better too in my opinion. The lower wings came up alot higher than the first one too.

Rich

[Otter's Flame]

Thanks for the great tutorial. Here is one of the first ones I did. I have done several more and they are turning out nice.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i119/Otters_Flame/bfly2.jpg

[Christopher Rice]

Wow oh wow, great job you guys!! So glad to see these turning out! Rich, way to go on the base of yours, may I make a suggestion? It looks like the base of your fly started to flare out, maybe next time, you can flatten the base with a paddle, then wrap your white or another base color to the bottom? This way the end will tuck up underneath the butterfly and it might hide it more. It looks great, just a suggestion. Keep them pics coming!
-chris

[jethro]

alright heres my third attempt...the first looked like a clover...the second a demented fairy...and this one is kinda close but hey im a total noob so try not to beat me up too bad.:hide:

[richsantaclaus]

Thanks Chris - I wish you were my next door neighbor!...lol

[Amethyst_briolette]

It's bascially the same as making a flower, only with the body down the center. And you would use only 4 lines to make the wings, two larger ones at the head, and two smaller ones towards the back of the flutterby. I wrote an article for Profitable Glass quite a while ago and it still hasn't come out, I think they are supposed to print it this spring, hope this helps. I'll try to find out when the article is coming out.
-chris

OMG, the second one is a glassgasm.. =D> WOW.. I have never seen anything like that, ever! Where can we purchase one? Didn't see anything for sale on the website.

[Christopher Rice]

Briolette, I sent you a PM. Thanks for the compliments!
-chris

[NightCat]

Hey Chris. What yellow are you using? I have a hard time keeping my yellow from bubbling.
Ross

[e. mort]

I have to recommend the sunshine yellow and sunset orange from Momka. I don't have any boiling issues with either one of them.

[Christopher Rice]

I like to use Momka's sunshine yellow, and GA's Rasta gold. They seem to work best for me.
-chris

[NightCat]

Thank-You Eric and Chris. I will put some of those colors on my next order. It will be nice to have something that works a little better.
~R

[Christopher Rice]

Here's a pair of goblets I made the other day with some butterfly marbles in them. I would like to do alot more of these, but they don't always move as fast. If I could get off my butt, I would like to market these to wedding couples, or planners, I've just never pursued the idea. One of these days I will get around to it. I make quite a few for people, I can even etch their names and dates into them if they so choose. Too many things to make, not enough time!! Thanks again for looking!
-chris

http://images.etsy.com/all_images/0/0ff/a35/il_430xN.8268861.jpg (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6073624)

[gmkcpa]

My face lit up when I saw your red and yellow butterfly.... because...
I've been working on a flower in a marble for many months. Getting the petals all the same size is difficult, but my big problem is in attaching a cold punty to the center of the maria, and then pulling the center down to form a cone. When I saw your butterfly from the side it looked to me like you got a nice even pull. Sometimes only half of the face of my punty (8-9 mm rod) sticks to the center of the maria, and then when I pull it down it doesn't come down evenly. Can you advise me? (Isn't this fun?)

[Blueflameart]

http://www.glassline.net/ ----- Look at the cover.

[Phoenix]

http://www.glassline.net/ ----- Look at the cover.

look at that= looks good!

[country kid]

Hi Ya'll
Anyone see the most recent "The Flow" Magazine? Page 80-83 has Chris Rice's butterfly implosion tutorial.
Great tut Chris! Way to go! \\:D/
I've tried it before but it's much more clear now, so tomarrow is show time.
Thanks for being there for all of us Chris :-D
Kare

[Rhapsody Fire Beads]

Here's a pair of goblets I made the other day with some butterfly marbles in them. I would like to do alot more of these, but they don't always move as fast. If I could get off my butt, I would like to market these to wedding couples, or planners, I've just never pursued the idea. One of these days I will get around to it. I make quite a few for people, I can even etch their names and dates into them if they so choose. Too many things to make, not enough time!! Thanks again for looking!
-chris

http://images.etsy.com/all_images/0/0ff/a35/il_430xN.8268861.jpg (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6073624)

Fantastic!!!!

[hulagirl]

*sigh*
I REALLY need to take a marble class.

[country kid]

Hi All
So here is my latest butterfly implosion. You can't see the antennas in the pic, but there pretty good.

77767

Kare

[Troll Lover]

Wow, great one!!!

[Glasstastic Treasures]

wow, I'm trying to to keep my jaw shut, but it just keeps popping open again.

Wow.....*drop*

[Glasstastic Treasures]

Good morning everyone. I was looking through the threads for a floral marble tut, and found one, but the link listed no longer works. I've been searching, but with no luck, I was wondering if anyone knew of a link or maybe an old tutorial on them. I've never made one before and would love to try.

Would marble beads also be considered "off mandrel"?

[jjglass]

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsmpIWiXlVo

Tut:
http://www.theflowmagazine.com/tut1.htm

[Glasstastic Treasures]

awesome, you rock JJ.

I think your kitty's a little cranky today. He needs some milk!! Hey, check out this website: www.icanhascheezburger.com if you heart kitties!!

[jjglass]

No problems Jamie. He's not cranky, he's on a glass jihad :)

[Glasstastic Treasures]

I feel like that at work some days, haha!!

[LAG]

check these out... http://glassbysabina.com/portfolio/marbles.html

Sabina is a friend of mine and I remember when she started doing these at an event at Momka's.. I believe she won 1st place at a flame-off last year in Oregon... I watched her make these... And Chris, yours, too, are real pieces of art..

[jgraff]

I had to give this a try even though my implosions have been iffy and I have no clue how to get the maria off the mandrel (my cold punties don't stay cold). I used an EDP encased in black for the wings and an yellow dotted with orange for the tail. I put the whole thing on a 10mm clear moretti because my hothead has a tendancy to melt the punty faster than the implosion. It worked better than my other attempts but I think I fried the clear a bit waiting for the 10mm to melt enough. My butterfly was elongating so I stuck some clear underneath it and pushed it up. It looks to me that if I had enough patience I could have kept heating and marving until I got the butterly pushed into the middle of the bead.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2032/2049395274_84b5396b72_o.jpg

[Glasstastic Treasures]

It looks almost like the black spread, because it appears to be almost the same color as the purple, only transparent.

But what a great job!! I'm too afraid to try....

[perlienne]

never seen such a thing- they are beautiful!!!
lost in admiration
(and thanks for sharing)

[FiredDesires]

I've tried a couple of these and the wings are just waay too thick, I want them thin and delicate....any suggestions? I've tried 1mm stringers too, and they still come out thick, maybe I'm mashing them flat before the implode?

[jesscause]

whats the trick to get the butterfly more 3d looking? I did a couple and I don't think I have that concept down completely!

[country kid]

Practice! :waving: Don't push the rod down to hard on the marver...a little more than just resting it might help.

Here is one I did in around November as you can see the more you do the better it gets
90125

Kare

[greenglasscafe]

Oh wow.. now this is something really amazing. I love them!!!

[Glasstastic Treasures]

I can't wait to try these. Very pretty! Thanks Kare!

[jesscause]

Do you have a tip to make it more 3-d??

[Maro]

I'm new to this forum, so not sure if I'm responding correctly.
Chris your butterfly implosion is so beautiful. You said you were going to try same thing in soft glass. did you? Are there any pics? I haven't worked with boro yet and hae been trying to do implosions in soft glass--nut much sucess though....do you know of a good tutorial or video clip of an implosiono bead???

[Chau Nguyen T]

youtube.com has implosion flower but i dont remember who did that tut very impressive.

[voic]

Wow! I just found this tut. Very beautiful work! I was wondering how did you made the third marble, the one with the butterfly on top of the flower. Very nice!