Leaf masher tutorial
 

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





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





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)





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





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




Some finished leaves:

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!

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!

I will have to try that. Thanks!

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

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

BTW - those beads are SO beautiful!!

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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

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. :)

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

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

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

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.

Oh cool I think I have both of those. :happy:
Thanks Kalera, you're awesome. :flirt:

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

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.

Thanks! I hope they turned out. :)

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

Debbie

Thank you! :D

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.

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

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

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

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/imag...s/11307.2.jpeg

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