Difference between revisions of "Make Your Own Glass Beads from Scratch"
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This article explains how a beginner can make glass beads from scratch, using a method called "lampworking". | This article explains how a beginner can make glass beads from scratch, using a method called "lampworking". | ||
[[Category:Glass and Stained Glass Projects]] | [[Category:Glass and Stained Glass Projects]] | ||
| − | [[Category:Making Beads]] | + | [[Category: Making Beads]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
#Set up your area. Good work always starts with having a good workspace. | #Set up your area. Good work always starts with having a good workspace. | ||
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*Make your beads sides at least as thick as your mandrel, thinner beads may crack. | *Make your beads sides at least as thick as your mandrel, thinner beads may crack. | ||
*104 COE glasses such as Effetre (previously and sometimes still called Moretti) are recommended for lampworking. | *104 COE glasses such as Effetre (previously and sometimes still called Moretti) are recommended for lampworking. | ||
| − | *Try to keep your bead under 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) unless you have a kiln to anneal the beads in. Annealing is the process of adding strength by heating and cooling in a kiln. Without this process, glass beads risk cracking and breaking easily.<ref>Jean Power, 200 Beading tips, techniques & trade secrets, p. 10, (2009), ISBN 978-0-312-58747-5</ref> | + | *Try to keep your bead under 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) unless you have a kiln to anneal the beads in. Annealing is the process of adding strength by heating and cooling in a kiln. Without this process, glass beads risk cracking and breaking easily.<ref name="rf1">Jean Power, 200 Beading tips, techniques & trade secrets, p. 10, (2009), ISBN 978-0-312-58747-5</ref> |
*Glass comes in a range of COE (Coefficient of Expansion) values – this is the rate at which glass expands when heated, if you try to mix different COEs then the glass will probably stress and crack as it cools. | *Glass comes in a range of COE (Coefficient of Expansion) values – this is the rate at which glass expands when heated, if you try to mix different COEs then the glass will probably stress and crack as it cools. | ||
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*Set up in a well ventilated area. | *Set up in a well ventilated area. | ||
*Remove dangling jewelry. | *Remove dangling jewelry. | ||
| − | *Before attempting, do some research on ventilation, and annealing. Do not attempt to sell un-annealed beads, as they can spontaneously break, even years after they are made.<ref | + | *Before attempting, do some research on ventilation, and annealing. Do not attempt to sell un-annealed beads, as they can spontaneously break, even years after they are made.<ref name="rf1" /> |
== Things You'll Need == | == Things You'll Need == | ||
