Leaf masher tutorial

[Kalera]

I posted this on a now-defunct forum several years ago, and thought it was lost until today... I found a copy of it on my hard drive! So, even though many tutorials on making leaves have been posted, I thought I'd throw mine out there too just in case it's useful for someone.

Step 1: Heat about a 10mm gather
Step 2: Roll the gather in reduction frit
Step 3: Melt the frit into the gather

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Step 4: Hold the leaf mashers so the mashing face is vertical, and "droop" the gather into the masher
Step 5: Mash
Step 6: this is what the mashed leaf should look like

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Step 7: Gently re-heat the leaf in the outer reaches of the flame
Step 8: Attach a clear stringer to the end and pull it out to a pointier leaf shape (if desired)
Step 9: Gently reheat and mash again, to reshape (if desired)

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Step 10: If you used reduction frit, flash leaf through reducing flame to bring out metallic finish
Step 11: Heat rod where it attaches to leaf
Step 12: Pull & bend into loop

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Step 11: Heat bottom of loop and pull rod free
Step 12: Marver bottom end of loop to flatten

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Some finished leaves:

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[Karen Hardy]

Now I can finally use those dang mashers that have been sitting
in my tool drawer, like - forever (they came with my "starter kit" :lol:).

Thanks Kalera!!!!


Are you going to be at Glass Stock?
I'd love to meet you face to face!

[Kalera]

I wish I was! I loved it the time I went... but life drama is interfering with everything. :lol: I hope you have a blast!

[Carols Glass]

I will have to try that. Thanks!

[krisdaka]

Thanks Kalera, I'm with Karen too, gonna try it today!

[Lisi]

Wow, thanks! I've always wondered how that was done!

BTW - those beads are SO beautiful!!

[J. Savina]

Thank you for sharing this tutorial Kalera!!! I've had a leaf masher for years but I've never used it for off mandrel leaves. I'm going to re-visit that tool soon. You've inspired me!
J.

[Anzie]

Thank you so much Kalera. I just got that masher a few weeks ago and haven't had much luck with it. You made very easy to understand now!

[Retta]

Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have ROAGK'ed mine. :lol: j/k
But I may have to buy a new set now. :D

[DayDream Beads]

I'll have to try that too, I gave up on them, I could never make a leaf, now I see how easy it is to make a leaf, you are the best to share this information. Thank you.

[Kalera]

Thanks guys! I'm so glad you found it helpful... please post pics of your leaves! I'd love to see them.

[msritaa]

Oh thank you! I have those things and have never even tried to use them. Your leaves are gorgeous!

[theglasszone]

Now I can finally use those dang mashers that have been sitting
in my tool drawer, like - forever....

DITTO!!!!

[Bubbyanne]

Great tut Kalera,
I don't have any leaf mashers, I may have to get some now. :wink:
I do have a question. You wouldn't happent to remember what frit and glass you used in that tut would ya? You got some cool reactions happenin' there. :)

[blong2001]

Where is a good place to get the leaf mashers? Any one better than another?
Thanks for the tut too!
Beth

[Kalera]

Great tut Kalera,
I don't have any leaf mashers, I may have to get some now. :wink:
I do have a question. You wouldn't happent to remember what frit and glass you used in that tut would ya? You got some cool reactions happenin' there. :)

I'm pretty sure that was System 96 Med. Amber, and Reichenbach Iris Blue. :)

[Kalera]

Where is a good place to get the leaf mashers? Any one better than another?
Thanks for the tut too!
Beth

I just have the ones Frantz carries, I like them a lot.

[Anzie]

I'm making leaves like crazy now. The only problem I am having is making the loop. My leaf tends to crack before I can get a loop made well. So I started making them with a small base bead instead. lol.
Thanks again Kalera.

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[Bubbyanne]

Oh cool I think I have both of those. :happy:
Thanks Kalera, you're awesome. :flirt:
I'm pretty sure that was System 96 Med. Amber, and Reichenbach Iris Blue. :)

[Gila]

Congrats on finding this leaf tutorial and thank you for sharing it.

[Jane P]

Wow - I made a few today that are in the kiln now. I'm not sure how they will turn out, because I forgot step 9.
Thanks so much for this tutorial - it was a blast to make them.

[Kalera]

Thanks! I hope they turned out. :)

[Tesorobeads]

After reading your tutorial Kalera I have that leaf masher on my list. Your beads are absolutely gorgeous.

Debbie

[Kalera]

Thank you! :D

[MayFern]

Perfect timing! I just got my set of 3 leaf mashers yesterday. Can't wait til tomorrow when I can hit the torch!! Thank you so much for posting your tutorial.

[houptdavid]

Kalera
I bought a pair at the Frantz glass bash to use with my off mandrel roses. I have tried and tried with no real success. Now I see how to fill the point.

Thanks

[BeadBlossoms]

Kalera,

Thank you so much for posting this tutotrial! I have been thinking about trying leaves, but as a newbie had no idea how to do it. Thanks again!

Donna

[Kalera]

You're welcome! Have fun, and post pics! :)

[Kalera]

I've been getting into the idea of fall and grooving on leaves again: here's a set I made Friday!

http://www.beadwife.com/xv/shop/images/items/11307.2.jpeg

[effemess]

You have inspired me (yet again) great tut and thanks for not charging for it :) :) :) :) :)

[theglasszone]

Wow, beautiful Kalera! I've still NEVER used mine...I really ought to give 'em a try!

De

[Teena]

Kalera,
How do you keep from cracking the leaf while your putting on the loop?
Thanks, Teena

[Mitosis Glass]

This is fantastic! Thank you so much for posting this, Kalera. I have that very tool but was never entirely sure how to use it properly. I'm done for tonight but I'll have to give it a try tomorrow.

[Kalera]

Teena, the masher is still usually hot from mashing it initially, and I make the loop quite quickly so the glass doesn't have a chance to get that cool.

Angie, thank you! You're welcome, and have fun! Post pics! :D

[kokeshikitten]

Great tutorial! Thanks!
How would I go about annealing this off-mandrel? I have a chili pepper kiln if that means anything...

[Jenne]

Now I have to find a cheap leaf masher, because I just HAVE to try this! Absolutely gorgeous.

Anyone have an extra leaf masher for cheap? :lol:

[Kalera]

Kokeshi, I just stick them right on the floor of my annealer, using the masher as a holding tool.

Jenne, I think they're something like $10 at Frantz and Arrow Springs... I've always been fascinated by how cheap they are compared to other tools!

[J. Savina]

Great tutorial! Thanks!
How would I go about annealing this off-mandrel? I have a chili pepper kiln if that means anything...

I have a chili pepper too. I just place the bead on the fiber blanket floor of the kiln. The leaves are thin enough to cool between fiber blanket. Then after they're cooled completely, you can batch anneal them. Just a suggestion.

J.

[Rose Leslie]

My mashers broke. One of the leaf parts came off. Not soldered on good enough. Now I don't know where they are.
Will try and see where the other part is.
Awesome jewelry and all. Thank you Kalera.

[PurpleCatJewels]

I just cannot get the loop to happen. Any hints? I've tried everything. Moth even has a lovely off-mandrel leaf tutorial here with a diagram for how-to-heat-the-glass-for-the-loop. I still can't get it.

Any suggestions for practicing the loops? I should ask in a separate thread, eh?

[Kalera]

I wonder if anyone has a good video on Youtube? It seems like that would be the easiest way to learn, by far... it's simple if you see it done, just not necessarily easy to diagram. Anyone seen a good video of loop-making?

[Jammy]

These leaves are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing it.

[Jeri]

Rachelle - although it won't help you practice loops, there is a way around the loop-issue. If you have a waiting kiln, make a small spacer bead, stick it in the kiln with plenty of the mandrel sticking out. When the leaf is done, grap the cool part of the mandrel, introduce it to the back of the flame, warm it and then attach it to the leaf instead of a loop. It works just fine, although loops are certainly a good thing to figure out. Jeri

[Rose Leslie]

I have problems with the loops. So will have to get busy on doing this again.

[theglasszone]

Rachelle - although it won't help you practice loops, there is a way around the loop-issue. If you have a waiting kiln, make a small spacer bead, stick it in the kiln with plenty of the mandrel sticking out. When the leaf is done, grap the cool part of the mandrel, introduce it to the back of the flame, warm it and then attach it to the leaf instead of a loop. It works just fine, although loops are certainly a good thing to figure out. Jeri

This is my method too! :) And once you get it down, it works well for lots of off-mandrel creations as well as leaves! Glad you posted this alternative for people to try! Kalera's leaves are just too pretty to let a little 'ol loop stop you from trying - and SUCCEEDING!

:)

[midniteburner]

Thanks for resurrecting this thread! I love these!!

Sara

[dragonfly designs 56]

thanks so much for sharing!!!!!!!

[Terryd]

Great instructions and idea! Glad I checked back in the tutorial section today!

[Kalera]

Thanks! Post pics! :D

[Kevan]

Frantz has the mashers on sale for $7.50 right now.

[Kevan]

These are my first leaves. I'm happy with them except the loop gets too spindly on the end and I think it would be too fragile to use. So I have to work on that.

Thanks Kalera!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4900713056_2fff01b26a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancingstarbeads/4900713056/)

[Holly'sFolly]

Kalera, I hope it's o.k. to post this in your thread. (If not, let me know and I will delete!)

I hated those mashers because they don't open automatically. They sat on my table for AGES! Then I came up with a fix... It's in my blog. (http://hollysfollybeads.blogspot.com/2010/01/tool-fix.html)

It may make the tool much easier to use for some. It did for me... now I love it!

[Holly'sFolly]

Re: Off mandrel loops... practice, practice, practice. It took me ages to realize I can work they loop for an infinite amount of time if I keep everything warm. Before I always felt such pressure to JUST GET IT IN THE KILN!

But now I take my time. I heat it, let it get soft, work it open with my small tungsten pick. Heat, open more with larger pick. If it gets to thin in a spot, I add some glass and repeat. I always try to finish by really looking at the loop...HOW WILL IT HANG??? If it's lopsided... heat and adjust the angle with small mashers. Double check that hole size again and then in the kiln.

[Kalera]

Awesome leaves, Kevan! They look great! You might be surprised at how strong even a pretty thin loop is, too. :)

It's totally great that you posted that in this thread, Holly! Awesome fix!

[Holly'sFolly]

Kalera, Thanks! I so just wanted to help!

[PurpleCatJewels]

Rachelle - although it won't help you practice loops, there is a way around the loop-issue. If you have a waiting kiln, make a small spacer bead, stick it in the kiln with plenty of the mandrel sticking out. When the leaf is done, grap the cool part of the mandrel, introduce it to the back of the flame, warm it and then attach it to the leaf instead of a loop. It works just fine, although loops are certainly a good thing to figure out. Jeri

Whoops! Thanks Jeri, I just saw this, and it's the end of August! I have made a few coming off a small spacer bead but I do like the idea of the loop better. I've seen it done on a video somewhere now it's just a matter of a) getting back on the torch, and b) PPP!

And, Kevan, those are AWESOME! Great work! At least your loops look like…loops.

[Kalera]

On the topic of loop thickness, I was paying attention to what I do, and after I heat the rod above the leaf (just until it starts to be soft) I wait a few seconds, then very slowly pull it away like I'm making thick stringer, until I have about one inch of 2mm stringer between the rod and the leaf. Then I carefully curve it over the back side of the leaf, let it touch, melt it off, and flatten the melted-off part into the leaf.

Pictures would make this description make more sense, but I hope it helps!

[iloveglass]

These leaves are incredible ... love the colors you chose. Thanks so much for sharing ... I guess I was in the same boat as everyone else, feeling like I wasn't using this masher quite right. I will be at the torch making leaves like crazy Friday night!

[Kevan]

Thanks and thanks for this tut, Kalera. I need to try some more. I have all those orangie and greenie odd lots from Vetro that came out a couple of years back. They are great for this.

[Kalera]

Oh, yes, those green streaky odds would make fabulous leaves! Post pics of what you make!

[AutEvDesigns]

I have a quick question about the tool itself. I just bought the large one from ARTCO and the plates come together completely when the tool is closed. Is that the way ALL of them are? I'd think, if I were making one, I'd make it so there was a gap for the glass between the leaf plates when the handles were squeezed ... but hopefully it will work better than I'm imagining.

[Kalera]

That's how mine is, too. It actually works really well, though!

[AutEvDesigns]

Thanks, Kalera! I'll have to post some pics once I get a chance to try it :)

[Kalera]

Have fun with it! I'm looking forward to seeing what you make!

[Mountain Snail]

I have this tool. Thank you for showing me how to use it!

[Kalera]

Awesome! You're welcome! (Don't be shy to post pics!)

[Cherri]

I got my masher and I tried making leaves. LOL, well at first I got long ugly leaves. Good practice right?.. I did not have Kalera's tutorial in front of me, but kept playing. I think I finally got some decent leaves. Only left of the part about the marver to flatten the back of the leave. sigh.. Will see if they survive to photograph. (kiln was already in the final stage, so had to garage them in blankey.

Thanks Kalera.

[Kalera]

Thanks Cherri! I hope they turned out great... the flattening of the little blob on the back is totally optional, I've seen leaves where that wasn't flattened and they were perfectly lovely as well. Post pics!

[*ShirlAnn*]

Wow!!! What a beautiful tutorial! The pictures came out great. Now I have to have one of those tools.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Shirl

[Kalera]

Thank you, Shirl! I hope you enjoy it... it's such an affordable and handy little tool.

[*ShirlAnn*]

I really like the shape of your mashers. Do you remember who you got them from?

[Dott]

Kalera thanks for posting your technique. Although I don't have leaf mashers, but maybe one day I'll be able to try this out.

[Kalera]

I really like the shape of your mashers. Do you remember who you got them from?

I got mine from Frantz: http://www.frantzartglass.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=52_53_57&products_id=4575

[Kalera]

Kalera thanks for posting your technique. Although I don't have leaf mashers, but maybe one day I'll be able to try this out.

You're welcome, thank you!

[*ShirlAnn*]

Hi Kalera, What kind of leaf mashers do you have? They look really good. I am new and don't want to buy a pair I don't like. Do you know where you got them?
Thanksso much for the tutorial. I never realized leaves could be so beautiful!

[emtjab]

Thanks Kalera! This is still the way I make leaves after seeing your tutorial years ago. they are lovely....especially with the frit.

Julie

[Kalera]

Hi Kalera, What kind of leaf mashers do you have? They look really good. I am new and don't want to buy a pair I don't like. Do you know where you got them?
Thanksso much for the tutorial. I never realized leaves could be so beautiful!

Thank you! Check out post #73. :)

[Kalera]

Thanks Kalera! This is still the way I make leaves after seeing your tutorial years ago. they are lovely....especially with the frit.

Julie

Thank you so much, Julie! I was just checking out your pregnant Goddess bead... lovely!

[PatsyEmporium]

This was posted a while ago but thank you it is helpful! Question- can you mash the glass in the masher as a gather on the mandrel? I'm a bit nervous about shaping the loop-

[Jeri]

Sure thing Susan! I make a round bead on the mandrel, and attach a large gather to that bead. Then I heat only the gather and press it. I like this look better than the loop for some uses. While keeping it warm, don't rotate it too fast, since it exerts pressure on the bead release. It's safer to heat the front and back of the pressed leaf by switching it from hand to hand. Hope that helps, Jeri

[PatsyEmporium]

Ah thank you that sounds lovely! I'll try today!

[flamemoth]

I love these resurrected threads. I've never owned a pair of leaf mashers and although you can do leaves without, Kaleras beautiful leaves made me order a pair from Frantz today. [and they're on sale..perfect] Thank you Kalera. :-) Pics when I have them.

[pattycake]

old post but i am so happy it is still here, being a newbie, this i will try