wispy frit beads

[Beads-on-Toast]

Hi there,

Thanks to anyone in advance for any help you can offer.

I have seen a few wispy looking frit beads recently and wondered what the technique might be, is it similar to pulling frit stringer, but then no pulling it and winding it like a normal spacer bead?

MANY MANY thanks in advance

Anna

x x x

[Chuckie]

If you add fine frit, then let the bead get hot enough to drip a little, you can use gravity to pull the frit into little whispy streaks. You have to let it drip, then pull it back into the round by turning the mandrel and bringing the drip back into a smooth surface.

[DarleenMB]

Val Cox put a great tip on her frit (http://valcoxfrit.com) site. Using a clear rod, just dip the end of the rod in the frit, melt it in and wind onto the mandrel. You can go ahead and encase using the same rod.

[Chuckie]

Yes, that works great, too. It might be easier for someone who hasn't conquered the gravity bead yet.

[DarleenMB]

It gives a totally different effect than a gravity bead. They're not the same thing.

[Chuckie]

Yes, it does create a different look. The gravity wisps stay on the surface. The fritted rod method allows the color to sink into the center of the bead. It just depends on which wispy look you're trying to achieve. Good thing Darleen came back in to mention that!

[lldesigns]

This set was made using the rod dipped in frit and wound on the mandrel method. It's an easy way to get a cool look. This particular frit has mica flakes in it as well. The rod got very bubbly and I ended up naming the set "Pool Party."

http://www.heavenly-gifts.com/images/IMG_4025.jpg

[Chuckie]

I almost forgot! Another wispy bead is made using the veiled canes. Almost every veiled cane color I've seen is scrumptious!

[Beads-on-Toast]

ah yes of course!!!
Excellent guys, you have been a great great help
thanks so much.x

[klcbeads]

I'm having a duh moment. What's a veiled cane?

[Chuckie]

It's a rod made with very thin layers of different colors, usually transparents, but not always. The outer layer is either a lighter transparent or clear and the inner layer (or layers are darker, more intense color.

[Lisi]

Another wispy look is to rake (I use clear stringer) in two or three places around the circumference of the bead. Like these? Is this what you're looking for??

[simvet02]

I wonder if your thinking of the watercolor beads. They are kind of wispy looking.

[DarleenMB]

This is done the way I described above:

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