In making a bead the REAL first steps are to have the proper equipment, tools, and safety material. Always wear protective glasses and clothing. Have a fire extinguisher available at all times and cool water for any burns. Have your work area properly ventilated and covered with the appropriate non flammable surfaces. |
1. After heating a nice amount of your glass tip to a molten ball, start by winding a very narrow bead onto your mandrel in the color of your choice. I am using Moretti medium amber here. |
2. Continue building a winding layer of glass over your narrow base bead. You are now forming a disc. You will need to keep re-heating your glass as you move along, and let the glass do the work and slide onto the mandrel, try not to push it on too hard. |
3. When you have the desired amount of glass built up for your disc use some mashers to straighten and flatten your disc shape. |
4. Once you have your disc completely flat and even spot heat one section at the top of the disc bead. |
5. Using your tweezers grab the edge of the area that was just spot heated and twist or tweek your tweezers to the left one quarter turn. This should create a small "S" shape on the edge of your disc. |
6. Again you will need to spot heat the area you are working on. Now place your tweezers in the bottom curve of your previously made "S" shape. This time twist or tweek the tweezers one quarter turn to the right. This will make another "S" shape. |
7. Continue with this "S" pattern all the way around the edge of your disc bead. Remeber to use the bottom half of your previous "S" shape to make the next twist and always alternate the direction you are twisting the tweezers. |
These ruffle beads add just the right touch and sparkle to a bead set!! |