Thank you. I love the atmosphere you create in your videos. As far as the music, I'm off to buy some of his albums now after hearing it here. Keep up the excelent videos.
Encasing with clear... I actually used bright blue/ purple Effetre here. I found it easier to learn in beginning with bright transparent colors than clear. Clear seemed to be super "soft" which made difficult to control the heat. I often ended up by overheating clear and getting bubbles. I kept the bead warm straight under the flame so flower petals don`t melt and smear out. Heated up only transparent rod and winded it around the bead.
Yeah, I`ve been considering to learn to carve graphite for shapes I like, `cause plain graphite blocks are available quite cheap. But that is too much for now.. :) I like graphite better `cause it doesn`t cool the glass so fast as brass. And it seems like bead is sliding smoother on graphite surface. As a picking tools I only have the ones made from brass (you can see in video, they have colorful handles). Since I don`t know better I am very pleased with mine :)
Well, I made my videos rather for people who have no idea what is lampwork. Here in Europe it`s not widely spread occupation. In basics - I made clear small bead, added purple dots for 3 petal flowers. Melting those dots remember to apply heat from all the sides equally, cause molten glass will flow where it`s the hottest. Punch a hole in between petals for having that nice air bubble after encasing. Hole should be rather deeper and narrower than shallow and wide.
Torch I would suggest to buy hot one at once (propane-oxygen), you will want it soon anyway! But if money is not any issue, than as well you can start out by using HotHead (propane). Bead separator I use Flame Dry Fusion Bead Release. Try this, I like it. If you don`t, you can always change it later. Yeah, don`t buy much of supplies at first.Try out and see what you like. Besides with time you will see what you like to do better/ where you succeed better and than supplement your tools and glass.
Thanks! :) The cube is very handy indeed! I prefer to work with graphite tools though. They should make cube like this in graphite! Anyway, enjoy Leigh! :)
Take care about air conditioning! I started out by working at open window and I`m still alive :) but get AT LEAST air extractor (like in kitchens). Also gas detector, gloves, anti-burn creams (I still use sometimes :) ) and fire extinguisher. As from tools for very beginning you should buy torch, fiber blanket, bead release, mandrels (easier to start with thinker, I think), bead reamer for cleaning beads, tweezers, rake, graphite paddle, glasses and bead marver (shaper) if you want.
About glass. Be careful about clear and transparent glass, sometimes it can be bad quality (with scratches) and cause ugly bubbling when heated (in worst case it looks cloudy not clear). But if you get that batch, just use it up for practicing :) Kiln is the most expensive and one should have it (so finished glass pieces don`t ever brake). But when you are only beginning and training you can use Cooling Bubbles, Fiber Blankets and such stuff, check what your stores offers.
Yes, that is good one to have! :) And really cheap. I bought it from Tuffnell Glass UK, it was included in basic lampworking kit. So I am not sure if they have it as separate item. If so, just contact them! They are nice people and will help you :)
Rather overlay each layer than leave a gaps in between stripes. I used poking tool to fix and move clear glass where I needed it. And in final start to melt in clear stripes by heating only surface of the bead. When you don`t see the lines between individual clear stripes, than heat up whole bead. And it`s done. This is the way I do it. There are other techniques as well. Just try and practice! It`s all about practice! :) It took a time till I learned it. Ask if I missed to explain smtg! Enjoy!
This was tricky for me to learn as well! Just try all possible techniques and try them with different glass (transparent colored glass might not be so "soft" as clear). Try to encase different beads in different sizes. You will find your own way what works the best for you! It is traditional Latvian ring :) Got it from BaltuRotas dot lv (cannot post links here). They have this ring in their catalog of 08/09.
You mean that green poking stick with yellowish metal? That`s made out of brass. Also shaping block you see in the video is made out of brass. Both I got from TuffnelGlass
Nice to hear that some one else is hooked on this :) I don`t think it`s gainfully for you to order from Europa. Besides there is even greater choice in USA. Anyway, the best store I would advice is fritenglas (you tube don`t let to post links) For cheaper tools tuffnellglass.
I just got introduced to making lampwork beads about a little over a week ago and I am hooked already. Can you offer any advice on where to get glass supplies (ie the glass rods and mandrels), also any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really enjoyed watching you work.
Hi :) I cannot post links but the store is in the UK TuffnellGlass. They maybe don`t have it on sale but I`m pretty sure they still have it included in basic kits. Contact them, they are nice people.
ok - so great vid! i have watched it several times when i have reached that wth?? moment and cant get my glass to do what i want. lol very inspiring and a great reminder of proper tech! Now i have to ask - where did you get the ring showing on the middle finger of your left hand??? i am in love with it and would love to have one like it. thanks!!
Where did you get the brass marver/mold that you are using? I love the look of it! (I have an assortment of flat ones, but just like the look of the cube.)
I got it like 7 years ago from Tuffnell Glass UK. Check if they still have it or ask for it. It was very inexpensive and I used it a lot, really handy!
I think than you are good to go. Rest of things you will find out in the process. I hope this helps a little :) I can tell my opinion in details about every stuff, just ask! :) Or email me (glassbeads@inbox.lv)
Thank you. I love the atmosphere you create in your videos. As far as the music, I'm off to buy some of his albums now after hearing it here. Keep up the excelent videos.
Thank you :) All the best wishes for you and enjoy creation! :)
i love this bead it is so pretty encased florals is my first favorite type of bead to make
loved that very clear and helpful..... beautiful!
Encasing with clear... I actually used bright blue/ purple Effetre here. I found it easier to learn in beginning with bright transparent colors than clear. Clear seemed to be super "soft" which made difficult to control the heat. I often ended up by overheating clear and getting bubbles.
I kept the bead warm straight under the flame so flower petals don`t melt and smear out. Heated up only transparent rod and winded it around the bead.
Yeah, I`ve been considering to learn to carve graphite for shapes I like, `cause plain graphite blocks are available quite cheap. But that is too much for now.. :)
I like graphite better `cause it doesn`t cool the glass so fast as brass. And it seems like bead is sliding smoother on graphite surface.
As a picking tools I only have the ones made from brass (you can see in video, they have colorful handles). Since I don`t know better I am very pleased with mine :)
Well, I made my videos rather for people who have no idea what is lampwork. Here in Europe it`s not widely spread occupation.
In basics - I made clear small bead, added purple dots for 3 petal flowers. Melting those dots remember to apply heat from all the sides equally, cause molten glass will flow where it`s the hottest. Punch a hole in between petals for having that nice air bubble after encasing. Hole should be rather deeper and narrower than shallow and wide.
sure, that`s a great torch!
enjoy creation! :)
Torch I would suggest to buy hot one at once (propane-oxygen), you will want it soon anyway! But if money is not any issue, than as well you can start out by using HotHead (propane).
Bead separator I use Flame Dry Fusion Bead Release. Try this, I like it. If you don`t, you can always change it later.
Yeah, don`t buy much of supplies at first.Try out and see what you like. Besides with time you will see what you like to do better/ where you succeed better and than supplement your tools and glass.
Thanks! :)
The cube is very handy indeed! I prefer to work with graphite tools though. They should make cube like this in graphite!
Anyway, enjoy Leigh! :)
Take care about air conditioning! I started out by working at open window and I`m still alive :) but get AT LEAST air extractor (like in kitchens). Also gas detector, gloves, anti-burn creams (I still use sometimes :) ) and fire extinguisher.
As from tools for very beginning you should buy torch, fiber blanket, bead release, mandrels (easier to start with thinker, I think), bead reamer for cleaning beads, tweezers, rake, graphite paddle, glasses and bead marver (shaper) if you want.
absolutly beutiful! thanks for sharing
About glass. Be careful about clear and transparent glass, sometimes it can be bad quality (with scratches) and cause ugly bubbling when heated (in worst case it looks cloudy not clear). But if you get that batch, just use it up for practicing :)
Kiln is the most expensive and one should have it (so finished glass pieces don`t ever brake). But when you are only beginning and training you can use Cooling Bubbles, Fiber Blankets and such stuff, check what your stores offers.
Yes, that is good one to have! :) And really cheap. I bought it from Tuffnell Glass UK, it was included in basic lampworking kit. So I am not sure if they have it as separate item. If so, just contact them! They are nice people and will help you :)
Rather overlay each layer than leave a gaps in between stripes. I used poking tool to fix and move clear glass where I needed it. And in final start to melt in clear stripes by heating only surface of the bead. When you don`t see the lines between individual clear stripes, than heat up whole bead. And it`s done.
This is the way I do it. There are other techniques as well. Just try and practice! It`s all about practice! :) It took a time till I learned it.
Ask if I missed to explain smtg!
Enjoy!
This was tricky for me to learn as well! Just try all possible techniques and try them with different glass (transparent colored glass might not be so "soft" as clear). Try to encase different beads in different sizes. You will find your own way what works the best for you!
It is traditional Latvian ring :) Got it from BaltuRotas dot lv (cannot post links here). They have this ring in their catalog of 08/09.
You mean that green poking stick with yellowish metal? That`s made out of brass. Also shaping block you see in the video is made out of brass.
Both I got from TuffnelGlass
Nice to hear that some one else is hooked on this :)
I don`t think it`s gainfully for you to order from Europa. Besides there is even greater choice in USA. Anyway, the best store I would advice is fritenglas (you tube don`t let to post links)
For cheaper tools tuffnellglass.
I just got introduced to making lampwork beads about a little over a week ago and I am hooked already. Can you offer any advice on where to get glass supplies (ie the glass rods and mandrels), also any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really enjoyed watching you work.
my nortel mid-range plus should work fine for this right im still learning thanx 4 great vids
im only working on a propane "hothead" torch riht now and i hate using clear, it ALWAYS scums up and gets black/dirty streaks in it
Hi :) I cannot post links but the store is in the UK TuffnellGlass. They maybe don`t have it on sale but I`m pretty sure they still have it included in basic kits. Contact them, they are nice people.
ok - so great vid! i have watched it several times when i have reached that wth?? moment and cant get my glass to do what i want. lol very inspiring and a great reminder of proper tech! Now i have to ask - where did you get the ring showing on the middle finger of your left hand??? i am in love with it and would love to have one like it. thanks!!
Hi great videos, good quality, thank you. I love the chill out tracks, who are they performed by?
Thank you for your appreciation Richard! :) All the music is from Mike Oldfield, please don`t report me :p
Where did you get the brass marver/mold that you are using? I love the look of it! (I have an assortment of flat ones, but just like the look of the cube.)
I got it like 7 years ago from Tuffnell Glass UK. Check if they still have it or ask for it. It was very inexpensive and I used it a lot, really handy!
No, here I use Bobcat from Glass Torch Technologies.
I LOVE your shaping cube! Where did you find that?!! I've got to have one :)
Tuffnel Glass, uk, has the shaping cube
is this the fireworks torch head?
Hi, where did you get your square bead marver that is in the video with the different sizes?
Can you please tell me what material is that stick made of?
im curious about the first song that plays. does anyone know it? it really adds atmosphere to the video
All songs are from Mike Oldfield and first one is "Weightless"
what colors did you use
this is a borosilicate glass? or soft glass?
This is soft glass. I have used soft in all my videos, so far.
I think than you are good to go. Rest of things you will find out in the process.
I hope this helps a little :)
I can tell my opinion in details about every stuff, just ask! :) Or email me (glassbeads@inbox.lv)
the music has to go.
why on earth would you make the flowers the same color as the base? boring bead. poor technique