[jib]

(I posted this question on another thread, but I don't think there is much action there, so I am reposting here. I hope that this is OK.)

I've seen two methods to wrap the first layer around when making a round bead. I'm confused.

One method had one lay down a thin, somewhat narrow layer of glass on the mandrel and then add on top of it. The other one had the glass wrapped, then the next wrap near it, fuse them together and then rounded it.

When I try to do it, I am not able to get a wide wrap of glass on the mandrel; it ends up being very narrow. I also have trouble getting that ball of molten glass on the end of the rod. It looks like an eel instead of a ball, even though I am rotating the rod the whole time.

Thanks for any help,
Jib