Troll Beads

gemsinbloom · #1 2009-01-10, 6:00pm

Well I got myself some larger mandrels today as I have been receiving a lot of requests via Etsy to make my florals into troll beads.

So I figure what the heck. It seems everyone and their uncle is making them. I give a whirl and what's the deal? Don't you find the mandrel difficult to manage? I had a heck of a time twirling it around and getting a round bead. Infact, I don't think my bead ever came out exactly round.

Are these beads difficult to make or is it just me? The mandrel was clumsy and heavy and my hand was getting hot from the flame. The mandrels I bought are 9 inches long. Is that standard?

Jacqueline
Gems In Bloom

Renee · #2 2009-01-10, 6:59pm

Personally, I have 12" mandrels. Generally, the larger diameter mandrels are more awkward intitally simply because you're not used to them. You'll get more comfortable with the feel of them. Then, when you go back to a "normal" size mandrel, it'll feel so skinny!

Lara · #3 2009-01-10, 8:23pm

Yes, I have the same problem Jacqueline. Sometimes I keep adding more glass and I get a huge bead. I wish that someone made these mandrels with the handle the "regular" size.

squid · #4 2009-01-10, 8:49pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by gemsinbloom

Well I got myself some larger mandrels today as I have been receiving a lot of requests via Etsy to make my florals into troll beads.

So I figure what the heck. It seems everyone and their uncle is making them. I give a whirl and what's the deal? Don't you find the mandrel difficult to manage? I had a heck of a time twirling it around and getting a round bead. Infact, I don't think my bead ever came out exactly round.

Are these beads difficult to make or is it just me? The mandrel was clumsy and heavy and my hand was getting hot from the flame. The mandrels I bought are 9 inches long. Is that standard?

Jacqueline
Gems In Bloom

They are clumsy and difficult when you first use them, but you definitely get used to them with a little practice

.

gemsinbloom · #5 2009-01-11, 8:52am

Okay, okay........but I really do not like the mandrels! I am glad I am not alone though. That is why I posted to see how others do with these........

Do you get a perfectly round bead or is that impossible? I want longer mandrels for sure. I will order some from the ebayer I was linked to.

Also, they make fairly big beads, yes? I don't like really big beads in bracelets but I guess this is all the rage..

Jacqueline
Gems In Bloom

squid · #6 2009-01-11, 9:40am

my beads are pretty even

Kalera · #7 2009-01-11, 9:49am

i found them very difficult to adapt to at first as well. i definitely found that using 12" mandrels was better for me and that tubing is much lighter than solid. As for getting the beads even - that just takes practice. it's all about getting an even footprint. The glass just doesn't balance itself like it does with smaller diameter mandrels.

Margrieten · #8 2009-01-11, 10:41am

There's a explanation for. Glass always want to go to a thickness of 6 mm. Thats why the rods also have a thickness of 6 mm.

When the hole is bigger, there is less glass to get the 6 mm. That's way it is more difficult to let the glass go evenly round.

I do it the James Smircich way:

Firebrand Beads · #9 2009-01-13, 4:55pm

Margriet, I have heard this principle with fused glass, but hadn't heard it applied to lampwork.

Seems to me we have more control in this field to make the glass thinner or thicker... but you may have a point about what the glass wants to do naturally.

infinitecharms · #10 2009-01-13, 5:07pm

I've been making them regularly and I still have trouble with wonkiness everytime I torch. I made my rods from welding rods from lowes that I cut down to 12 inches. I have also noticed that the bigger rods get hotter when you hold them so you have to hold them farther out.

AlivELampworK · #11 2009-01-13, 8:59pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by margriet@stainedglass.nl

There's a explanation for. Glass always want to go to a thickness of 6 mm. Thats why the rods also have a thickness of 6 mm.

When the hole is bigger, there is less glass to get the 6 mm. That's way it is more difficult to let the glass go evenly round.

i'm not sure how true this is. i would definitely like to see where this has been published. i have heard glass always wants to be round but why a thickness of 6 mm? and not all rods are pulled in 6 mm diameter.

AKDesigns · #12 2009-01-13, 9:05pm

It's important to get the narrowest footprint possible to start. That will give you a head start on a non wonky bead. The mandrels will feel less awkward and heavy after awhile too.

squid · #13 2009-01-13, 9:14pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlivELampworK

i'm not sure how true this is. i would definitely like to see where this has been published. i have heard glass always wants to be round but why a thickness of 6 mm? and not all rods are pulled in 6 mm diameter.

when you fuse, glass does like to be 6 mm (1/4"), so I can see where it might be true for beadmaking. Why? I have NO idea

- it's just a law of nature.

Pulling is changing the natural tendency of glass, so it would prevent it from doing what it wants on its own.

AlivELampworK · #14 2009-01-13, 9:51pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by squid

when you fuse, glass does like to be 6 mm (1/4"), so I can see where it might be true for beadmaking. Why? I have NO idea

- it's just a law of nature.

Pulling is changing the natural tendency of glass, so it would prevent it from doing what it wants on its own.

what if i add so much glass that it decides to be 10 mm? do you know what i mean? i don't think it holds true for beadmaking. i understand fusing, but not beadmaking.

squid · #15 2009-01-13, 9:54pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlivELampworK

what if i add so much glass that it decides to be 10 mm? do you know what i mean? i don't think it holds true for beadmaking. i understand fusing, but not beadmaking.

I think if you heat the 10mm enough, it would go to 6mm, but I also think it would drip off the mandrel too. Beadmaking is a balance of heat and gravity - I think the rule doesn't apply because we can't let it apply

AlivELampworK · #16 2009-01-13, 10:01pm

hm.. that idea is so strange to me.

squid · #17 2009-01-13, 10:06pm

If you put a little square of 3 mm glass in the kiln and fire it hot hot hot it will ball up into a little 6mm ball with a flat back - it's SO cool.

honey*bee · #18 2009-01-14, 5:34am

I use hoiiow mandrels aslo and they are only about 6" and the only time they heat up is if there is any undried bead release in them. In which case I just give a little blow in the end and then they are fine. I actually find it easier to work with a larger diameter mandrel, it's easier for me to grip. The glass does have a tendancy to try to droop but I just don't work as hot and they turn out fine.

effemess · #19 2009-01-14, 5:45am

What size are troll, pandora etc beads supposed to be... I think that maybe my 'test' beads are too big..I totally agree with you on the fat mandrels being unwieldy... feels like Im trying to make a bead on a log

LAG · #20 2009-01-14, 9:40am

Hollow mandrels will help you control your glass a lot better than solid ones. Solid ones get quite hot also. My DH gets stainless steel tubing at some place called Speedy Metals. They also have brass and aluminum tubing... practice on aluminum.... You could do a "search" ...........