How to Make Glass Beads of Various Shapes

Once you've learned to make simple spherical glass beads, you can go on to making beads of various other shapes. Here's how to make three of the easiest. These instructions start when you've completed step 13 of the Related eHow "How to Make Glass Beads."

Things You'll Need

• Work Boots
• Clean Rags
• Exhaust Fans
• Torch Kits
• Vermiculite
• Pipe Cleaners
• Fire Extinguishers
• Lighter Or Matches
• Emery Cloths
• Mandrels
• Pliers
• Safety Goggles
• Workbenches
• Pipe cleaners

Instructions

Making a Cylindrical Bead

1. Start with a basic molten bead on a mandrel. Remove the molten bead from the flame.

2. Press the bead lightly against the marver. Hold the mandrel parallel to the surface of the marver. Avoid pressing too hard, or you'll make a flat spot on the bead.

3. Roll the bead once or twice back and forth against the marver.

4. Return the bead to the flame until the glass glows slightly and evenly.

5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 until the bead has taken on a regular cylindrical shape.

6. Keep rotating the mandrel until just before it stops glowing - you'll know when, because you'll have to press more to shape the bead.

7. Cool the bead slowly in a fiber blanket or heated vermiculite.

Making a Bicone

1. Start with a basic molten bead on a mandrel. Remove the molten bead from the flame.

2. Press the bead lightly against the marver. Hold the mandrel at an angle to the surface of the marver to shape the bottom half of the bead into a cone. Avoid pressing too hard, or you'll make a flat spot on the bead.

3. Continue to shape this end of the bead until it has taken on the shape you want.

4. Return the bead to the flame to heat the other end for shaping.

5. Press the bead lightly against the marver. Hold the mandrel at an angle to the surface of the marver to shape the top half of the bead into a cone. Avoid pressing too hard, or you'll make a flat spot on the bead.

6. Notice when the bead becomes harder to shape and stops glowing. If you're happy with the shape, cool the bead slowly in a fiber blanket or heated vermiculite.

Making a Pressed Bead

1. Start with a basic molten bead on a mandrel. Remove the molten bead from the flame.

2. Press the bead lightly against the marver. Don't roll it. Hold the mandrel parallel to the surface of the marver when pressing the bead so that you get flat sides.

3. Return the bead to the flame to take the chill marks out (see Tips).

4. Press the bead against the marver on two opposite sides to form a disk, on four sides to form a cube, or any other combination of angles you can think of.

5. Return the bead to the flame after pressing each side to remove the chill marks.

6. Notice when the bead becomes harder to shape and stops glowing. If you're happy with the shape, cool the bead slowly in a fiber blanket or heated vermiculite.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that when glass is heated to its fluid state, it wants to draw itself into a sphere as you rotate the mandrel. That's what you'll be working against as you mold the bead into other shapes.

• Remember that pressing hot glass onto a cool shaping tool produces small ripples called chill marks. After achieving the desired shape, you must heat the bead just enough to remove these marks.

• Using a torch will create a lot of heat and carbon monoxide. Prevent a buildup of both of these by working outside or ventilating your work area with an exhaust fan.

• Always keep your heatproof work surface clear of all flammable material.

• Molten glass exceeds 1,000 degrees F and can cause severe burns on contact. Even glass that doesn't look hot can still be hundreds of degrees.

• Always remember which end of your glass rod is hot.

• Bead release can create hazardous dust when dry. Keep your work area clean and wipe up any dry bead release with a damp cloth.

• Tie back any long hair and avoid wearing loose-fitting sleeves.

• Improperly heated or cooled glass can pop and shatter, sending glass pieces flying. Always wear safety glasses and shoes in your work area.