Bead tool 4 tutorial how to#

If the mandrel is not glowing your glass won't stick. The mandrel should be glowing when you are ready to apply and wrap your glass. The slow heating and glowing releases gases that form and would become air bubbles in your bead. You must do it each time you start a bead. This slow heating and glowing along it's length is very important. Watch for gas escaping as you bring the mandrel to a glow all along it's length. Then go back the other way just as slowly. You are going to slowly roll the mandrel from one end to the other in the flame, watching the color change.

Then bring your mandrel down into the working area of the flame to heat it to a glow. If your Bead Release says it can be flame dried, then you can wave and roll the mandrel high in the flame until the bead release is dry from end to end. Next stand your mandrel straight up in a rack or can of rice, or whatever you use to hold your mandrels upright as they dry. I like to gently roll or tap the very end/tip of my mandrel against the side of the jar after I have pulled the mandrel out of the Bead Release - to remove the large dot of release that usually ends up on the end. Add Distilled water if needed to thin it to a thin pudding thickness. If you have gunk or chunks in your Bead Release it needs to be stirred and remixed well. If that happens put the mandrel back in and roll against the side and pull out slowly again. You do not want any bumps or swirls, or a ridge running up one side. Then lift and slowly pull straight up for an even coating. Put your mandrel in and press/roll it against the side, letting it grate in your Bead Release against the side for a few turns. To coat your mandrel with Bead Release, shake your bottle of Bead Release very well and then open it and tilt it to the side. You can also burn them in the flame before use. If your mandrels are new, clean them to remove any residue. PREPARING YOUR MANDREL BHB mandrels are thick and hefty to handle, but once you get used to them your fingers don't notice as you turn them in the flame. If you are relatively new to lampworking I would encourage you to read through that Tutorial too. I have another Tutorial that offers basic information and tips for beginners and those with less time on the torch. Before we get started I want to acknowledge that people with all levels of beadmaking experience will be using this Tutorial. Any torch can be used with this Tutorial, but if you are on a different torch please realize that your torch will be significantly hotter than the Hothead Torch and you must work to the side or make heat adjustment where needed.

Bead tool 4 tutorial how to#

This Tutorial will show you how to make a surface decorated Big Hole Bead (BHB) with COE 104 glass using a Hothead Torch or it's generic equivalent.

Whatever you call them they are addicting to make. These beads have many names вЂ“ Pandora beads, Biagi and Troll beads, European Charm Beads, and lastly Big Hole Beads. European Charm Beads, Pandora, Biagi & Troll Beads