How do you shape your pendants?

soul777toast · #1 2010-02-16, 4:45pm

Hey everyone, I was just wondering how people like to shape their standard round boro pendants (implosions or whatever). Do you use a marble mold? Plain gravity? Something else? So far I've had trouble getting a nice even shape using just gravity, or it gets way to bulbous on the front, and when I use a marble mold I get a nice shape but I tend to flatten the design inside a bit. I think as far as finished shape goes what I've liked most so far is to use a 1.5" marble mold to make a sort of cabochon shape, just I use it on both the front AND the back so that they are both curved, instead of a flat back, but again I seem to flatten the design inside when I do this. Any suggestions, preferences, or just want to share your process?

constant flow · #2 2010-02-16, 6:03pm

ok here is how i do my boro pendants- take clear rod or tube; frit, or implode or whatever in doing. use a glass rod as a punty to pull it off the tube; rod. then i work the face spinning in the flame at a 75 degree angle or so; rod angled down, pendant side up.Flame hitting the face- super hot till it runs into a rounded lense that has no distortion from being uneven. since i am holding it on a rod on the back, if it starts to sag down or bend i take my carbon paddle and hold the glass vertical on the stick and hold the paddle horizontal and spin the piece around lifting the edges up in the back. i dont push up with the paddle, just let spinning the piece with the edge on the paddle there do the work.
When I am teaching students, I don't let them use tools--only gravity.
They think I'm mean.

constant flow · #3 2010-02-16, 6:08pm

if I want the back curved in, and sometimes this helps allow more light in to focus on the design, then i tilt the marver paddle a little while spinning.

Really the secret is heat and more heat--till it flows

Cosmo · #4 2010-02-16, 7:29pm

Heat and gravity. No tools.

I'll expand on what constant flow said... the secret is knowing where to heat the pendant...

boxcutter · #5 2010-02-17, 12:37am

it really depends on the final shape. it's 99% heat, gravity and centrifugal force though.
i'll use a mold for my round floral pendis that are like 2/3rds marble.

Otter's Flame · #6 2010-02-17, 12:46am

Heat and gravity

Otter

Wonker · #7 2010-02-17, 4:34am

yep, heat and gravity.

e. mort · #8 2010-02-17, 8:07am

Yeah, heat and gravity. There is way too much reliance on tools and presses out there. Tools shouldn't subsitute for a lack of skill. The only shaping tools I use are graphite paddles, tungsten pokes/rakes, and a marble mold for doing spheres.

constant flow · #9 2010-02-17, 8:18am

When i am first teaching someone they always end up with a bulb in the middle, and a valley between that and the edges. I always try to get them to heat what they want to move and the part they want it to move to. The hot glass will not roll onto cool glass. I hope that makes sence, it's so hard without pictures to explain.

Cosmo · #10 2010-02-17, 8:28am

Quote:

Originally Posted by constant flow

When i am first teaching someone they always end up with a bulb in the middle, and a valley between that and the edges. I always try to get them to heat what they want to move and the part they want it to move to. The hot glass will not roll onto cool glass. I hope that makes sence, it's so hard without pictures to explain.

Yeah. I always explain that by saying "glass follows the heat"...

constant flow · #11 2010-02-17, 2:24pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmo

Yeah. I always explain that by saying "glass follows the heat"...

Thank you, thats a good way to put it

Ro · #12 2010-02-17, 2:56pm

i use heat and graphite marver. this way less heat, esp for dichro pendants.
when punti back and remove feed rod then i heat top and press lightly not exactly down but moving lightly down and at the same time moving graphite more back and forth across the top to even out any high spots (think of frosting a cake basically), I do it a few times if necessary ,reheating in between to heat what needs to move focusing above the center line of the lens, then final is heat only.
ro

TAKnight · #13 2010-02-17, 4:07pm

And if it is 2am and it is pissing you off - you grab the BBQ mashers and pliers - squish it heat it up - jab it - pull it - push it - put a loop in it somewhere
call it an organic shape and
charge double for it

If this does not work for you - then at 3am plunge it into glass of water and watch it explode - no loop needed

Last night did not go well - should have went to bed sooner.

LOL

chrisann · #14 2010-02-17, 6:26pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAKnight

And if it is 2am and it is pissing you off - you grab the BBQ mashers and pliers - squish it heat it up - jab it - pull it - push it - put a loop in it somewhere
call it an organic shape and
charge double for it

If this does not work for you - then at 3am plunge it into glass of water and watch it explode - no loop needed

Last night did not go well - should have went to bed sooner.

LOL

LOLOL I think we are related

must a been twins separated at birth

menty666 · #15 2010-02-17, 8:17pm

occasionally I use scissors.

e. mort · #16 2010-02-17, 8:43pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by menty666

occasionally I use scissors.

oops, me too, forgot to mention my shears.

Mary K · #17 2010-02-17, 9:48pm

http://smartflix.com/store/video/806...orked-Pendants
Rent this, seeing is believing. You will see how it is done, this is a good video.
I have rented most of the lampwork videos they have. You will learn a lot, and it does not cost $40 or more to watch it once or twice.
Oh crap, I just saw that it is back ordered to rent. Well get on the list, or maybe someone can loan it to you, sometimes
I have seen this in the garage sale section.

Karen Hardy · #18 2010-02-17, 10:11pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonker

yep, heat and gravity.

And tongue position. You have to hold your tongue
correctly or the whole thing won't work.

soul777toast · #19 2010-02-17, 10:37pm

Rofl! I do that when I'm working...

Wonker · #20 2010-02-18, 3:48am

hahahaha....oh yeah...tongue position and holding yer breath

Over the Moon · #21 2010-02-18, 5:28am

LOL Karen...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karen Hardy

And tongue position. You have to hold your tongue
correctly or the whole thing won't work.

deb tarry · #22 2010-02-18, 7:07am

You guys are hilarious. Love the 3 o'clock plunge and the tongue, well I do that.

constant flow · #23 2010-02-18, 2:28pm

I recently started teaching lampwork, and i had no idea what kind of faces I made or the things i did with my mouth while working till i started doing demos for students and they started laughing. If one of them makes a vid of me working I'll post it. I still don't know what is so funny!

Ro · #24 2010-02-18, 4:21pm

i cant wait to see the video, i have no idea what i do, i never thought about it?
too funny
ro