Bracelets

Tobias · #1 2008-01-06, 4:00am

Well I have just made my first few bracelets using that giant metal mandrel deal I bought from glasscraft many years ago...yeah I got it and let it sit and never used it. Well they seem ok and are still sitting in the kiln so I don't have any hands on things to say about them at the moment other than they were really fun to make and simple. They are of the generic shape with dirty old trash glass that needed to be thrown out as they were experiments...hey sorta free testing gotta love that. I'm sure there are things wrong with them as I don't really know anything about making cuff bracelets, but i'm thrilled so far. Anyone that might have some hints for myself and everyone else that might be bracelet noobs feel free to enlighten. The hardest "unclean" part for me seemed to be the points at the ends. I also have no idea how big around they should be, can they be too big and bulky for real use? I've thought about cold working the ends after they are done to make them nice. Is this something people do or I suppose I might figure that out at the flame once I've made X amount of them. I've never posted pics here on LE because i'm sorta picture stupid but i'll try for this and anyone else please post some up. This is a long posting for me so i'll wrap it up for another time, just thought i'd share my new addiction with you all!

Over the Moon · #2 2008-01-06, 5:30am

Look forward to seeing some pics!

Terreverte · #3 2008-01-06, 7:28am

I have always wanted to do this. I would love to see some pictures.

playingwithfirebeads · #4 2008-01-06, 8:45am

I took a class from Lance McRorie at Flametree Glass on flameworking bracelets. He can show you anything you want to know. I highly recommend him as a teacher and they have a great teaching studio. They really showed me a lot and made me feel at home.

Bonny

Tobias · #5 2008-01-06, 9:10am

Wow another Texas person! Flametree glass is that around here someplace?

Cosmo · #6 2008-01-06, 9:18am

Lewis Wilson has a video that shows making bracelets (it's actually Kevin O'Grady in the video, but it's Lewis's video). He has a really good technique for cleaning up the ends. It's easier shown than typed, but basically he gets the end hot and pulls it with tweezers to thin it out, then breaks off the thin part. Works really well. I haven't made any in a while but I use his technique and it works well for me.

Renee · #7 2008-01-06, 11:50am

Rocio also has a book. I have it, but haven't gotten the tools, etc. to make any, but it's very informative. She suggests cold-working the ends before it goes in the kiln, and talks about sizing.

LeahBeads · #8 2008-01-06, 2:17pm

Tobias,
Flametree is in Roswell, GA. Their website is http://www.flametreeglass.com/

Leah

Over the Moon · #9 2008-01-06, 4:26pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmo

Lewis Wilson has a video that shows making bracelets (it's actually Kevin O'Grady in the video, but it's Lewis's video). He has a really good technique for cleaning up the ends. It's easier shown than typed, but basically he gets the end hot and pulls it with tweezers to thin it out, then breaks off the thin part. Works really well. I haven't made any in a while but I use his technique and it works well for me.

Which DVD is it Chad?...and WHO is Wiiiiiilson?!?!?

Cosmo · #10 2008-01-07, 6:26am

The video is Lampworking - Advanced Beads, Bracelets, and Marbles by Lewis Wilson/Crystal Myths.

This is the other Wilson - http://youtube.com/watch?v=wRv_9l-m9Js

Tobias · #11 2008-01-08, 4:27am

Well i've got about 9 of them made now and slowly they are cleaning up...I have a few laying on the table angry with me as well

I do see it eventually working out. It seems to me you need to stretch and pull it around the mandrel really carefully with the right heat or you will trash it if this isn't just about perfect...whats new about that right? I've found so far that i'm shaping it and cutting the ends off wider than they need to be and then go back and heat the middle and squeeze a bit to get the right space. The tweezer deal to clean the ends up hasn't worked out so well, right now I pull off real pointed in the flame and go back with a little carbon marver deal and heat so I can manually shape it....so far this is getting the best results. I havn't tried to coldwork any of it as I don't have everything needed for that yet. I'll try to get some pics tomorrow so you all can see my mess. Anyone else trying?

Cosmo · #12 2008-01-08, 6:15am

A friend of mine makes really nice bracelets (he's the one that showed me how). You may want to talk to him and see if he has any tips. His website is www.tiemeyerglass.com.

earlbacher · #13 2008-01-08, 7:10am

gotta save up and get me a mandrel, but i want to make some

playingwithfirebeads · #14 2008-01-08, 12:53pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobias

Well i've got about 9 of them made now and slowly they are cleaning up...I have a few laying on the table angry with me as well

I do see it eventually working out. It seems to me you need to stretch and pull it around the mandrel really carefully with the right heat or you will trash it if this isn't just about perfect...whats new about that right? I've found so far that i'm shaping it and cutting the ends off wider than they need to be and then go back and heat the middle and squeeze a bit to get the right space. The tweezer deal to clean the ends up hasn't worked out so well, right now I pull off real pointed in the flame and go back with a little carbon marver deal and heat so I can manually shape it....so far this is getting the best results. I havn't tried to coldwork any of it as I don't have everything needed for that yet. I'll try to get some pics tomorrow so you all can see my mess. Anyone else trying?

Tobias,

You can use full sized needle-nosed pliers to shape the ends. Get the end hot enough to pull and pull towards the other side of your body against the mandrel then get it back in the flame. You can also offset the ends a little so they are easier to slip on.

Bonny

Tobias · #15 2008-01-08, 9:36pm

Wow Cosmo he makes awesome stuff...I feel kinda odd just asking someone out of the blue glass tech...but he shows measurements, that has helped or will on tonights tests...seems my gap and hieght are the same as his but im a little short on the width....so it seems only the itty bitty girls can wear what i've done so far. My sister and mother couldn't fit them today just a touch small and they are just average size females....soooooo we will see what happens tonight. Still no pics, I havn't charged the camera battery yet...slacker.

Cosmo · #16 2008-01-09, 8:21am

Kenan's a good guy. I believe he'd probably be glad to help.