Implosion Ring Tutorial by Karen Draper
Sorry about any fuzzy pictures was taking myself while I worked. This assumes you know how to make a marble. Have fun!
Supplies:
Clear rods 3mm an 10-12 mm
Black rod
Frit of choice
Color rod to complement the frit
Tools
Marble mold
Marver
Pliers
Ring Mandrel (Size of your choosing)
1. With the 10/12 mm rod heat and collect a gather
2. Use marver to create a maria
3. Heat and apply frit to bottom of maria
4. Heat and press to form implosion and form into a small marble back the bottom with black.
5. Leave on putty (using 3mm rod) and place in hot kiln to hold
6. Heat your ring mandrel and desired glass. Mandrel must be thoroughly heated or glass will come off as you turn and apply.
7. Decide where the top will be, add a little frit either side and melt in. As you heat marver the sides to flatten but do not thin out.
8. Once ring is formed to your liking put a small blob of clear where you want to attach the implosion.
9. Get the implosion out of the kiln, hold the implosion with pliers and take off the putty. If some clear sticks that is ok if it is on the bottom.
10. Heat where you want the two to join (the clear blob and the bottom of the implosion)
11. Using a small flame make sure this joint is completely melted.
12 Anneal is you wish.