Making Shards

[lscenti]

I am going to try and make some shards today. I think I have the idea of how to make them but I have one question Do I put bead release on the end of the mandrel
Thanks for your help
Lisa

[mtnglass]

I don't. When I am done blowing the shard I let it cool then break it in a coffee can. I then reheat the mandrel end and stick it in the water bowl I have on my table. The rest of the glass will break off.

Julie

[lldesigns]

Don't use bead release! You don't want to take the chance of it getting mixed in with your shards - that would be a bad thing. :-D

Heat the end of the mandrel until it glows at least a little and then wind your glass around it and start building a round vessel shape until it's a completely enclosed bubble. Heat the bubble evenly until the glass is all melted together and smooth then gently puff into the end of the mandrel to blow the bubble up until you have the wall thickness you want.

Be careful not to inhale!!! Hot hot hot!

[lscenti]

Thanks for your help...off to make some
Hugs
Lisa

[lscenti]

I can thank everyone one here who is so willing to help others. I spent the whole afternoon making shards What fun I had.
Thanks
Lisa

[Renee]

Lisa, that's what I love about LE peeps - they're so generous with information and helping people out! (I'm glad you posted this, because I wanted to know the same thing!)

[Carols Glass]

I've been wanting to make some shards, too. Thanks for all the help. I know now I would have done it all wrong without this information.

[Flame Crazy]

You guys have inspired me to make some shards too! Sounds like fun!

[SunDoorBeads]

I just cam across this cuz I did not have the 1st inkling on how to make shards and now I do THANK YOU THANK YOU the LE comminity truly is the best group of people out there. If we all cared like this the world would be perfect!!!!!

[Tink]

Two other things:

The metals and stuff that are used as colorants in glass will eventually corrode and pit your mandrel. If you also use your hollow mandrels with release for blowing vessels, it's a good idea to select one of your mandrels for making shards and nothing else.

If you're making multicolored, organic looking shards, put a lot more *stuff* on the glass than you think you want/need before blowing it out. When blown, all the stuff will spread out and look a lot more diluted than you think it will!

[SunDoorBeads]

I have one question who is Janet and how can I find her website?

[ROC]

Also lots of good info (and some outrageous pix!) in the shard exchange thread:

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82976