Horizontal Heart - Video
 

I shot this impromptu video a couple of days ago because someone asked for tips on making heart beads.

Heart beads are super easy and super quick. This is a quick video on how I make my hearts. I prefer horizontal holes because it makes stringing them easier. I hate wiring beads. :\ HATE IT!!

1. Make a good sized bead, kinda fat. Make sure the ends are good.
2. Roll the bead lightly on a marver to flatten it and then heat the middle.
3. Using a straight edge tool, (like a butter knife or razor blade) roll the bead along the edge, like you're cutting it in half . That's your crease.
4. Heat the bottom center pretty hot and roll the mandrel back & forth quickly to form the tail. (watch the video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR9Ng1n37Z0

This is the heart made in the video:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k...315_113350.jpg

I have never seen a heart made that way...you did a good job :)

Hearts are my very favorite to make...I'm gonna try you technique.

Thank you, Shawnette, for that great video. I have had trouble with hearts in the past and I am eager to try your technique.

You rock!
--Helene

Thanks Shawnette!

Your last words..."super simple"....this is so much less complicated than the way I have been making horizontal hearts! Thanks once again for sharing your knowledge with us. Great video!

Bretta

Thanks so much, that is a great time saver :)

Awesome, thank you!!!

Beautiful heart! Thanks for sharing this!

BReally? This is pretty much the only way I make hearts. I can make verticals but I don't like them very much. In my opinion, the wiring detracts from the heart.

Here are a few more:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/20/buqy3e8y.jpg

Wow, thank you for the tips Shawnette! :idea:

I used a much more complicated and way less successful method which always made them lopsided by concentrating on the conical shaping and then adding more glass on each side for the lobes. This is definitely on my to-do list for the next torch session.
Cheryl

Hadn't tried hearts before. Most of the tips for doing them made it look like more work than it was worth. Plus I'm not big on heart-shaped stuff...

Your tutorial inspired me to finally try one. Ok - so I made five! My only piece of advice for those trying this method for the first time is to make sure when you're spinning the mandrel to get the point, that you don't try to do it really hard and fast. And if you do, make sure that the potential hot flinging glass is aiming away from your face. Red hot glass heading towards you at a high rate of speed makes you do it a little less vigorous the next time!

BTW - no injuries here - just a wake-up call to take it easy...

I'll post pics tomorrow if they are worthy of this great forum!

Definitely post them! We want to see!

Thanks so much for posting that Shawnette ! What a great way to make hearts. :love:

Those are pretty cute, too. I like that each one has its own shape/personality.

You are the Bees Knees, Shawnette. :)

First ever attempt at hearts!
 

No fancy camera - just a cell phone pic






These are ones I made last night using Shawnette's technique. Super easy and fun to do! Some of them turned out a little top heavy - I'll know better next time to even them out a little.

Thanks for sharing with us!

Shawnette taught me how to make hearts like this in 2006!!!! I can't believe it was that long ago. She makes it look so easy because she is such a good teacher. Thank you Shawnette for all your patience back then.

Otter

Great tutorial!

And Mr. Otter, I love your new avatar! Shhhhh :-$ I had to snap it up! :D

Thanks, Shawnette! Great video and technique.

Georgia

Those are awesome!! I especially like the purple one!

Wow! 8 years??!! Time flies! I'm always happy to pass on useful information. :)