How to Make Glass Pendants for Jewelry

Glass pendants can be used in a variety of compositions, such as necklaces or bracelets. Using the lampwork process, a method of shaping glass in the flame of a torch, you can make your own pieces and design them for jewelry by simply adding a hook. To achieve this, two of the most common methods are to add a loop during the actual creation of the pendant or glue on a necklace bail once the piece is finished.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Torch kit with propane or MAPP gas
• Pressurized oxygen (not required for Hot Head torches)
• Didymium safety lenses
• Ventilation system
• Clear or colored glass rods for making your pendant
• Clear glass rod: 6 mm
• Clear or colored glass rod: 8 mm (optional)
• Graphite reamer (optional)
• Tweezers
• Vermiculite or kiln
• Necklace bail (optional)
• Glue, such as Pascofix Instant Adhesive (optional)

Add a Glass Hook

1. Set up your lampworking station, if you have not already done so. Your work space includes a torch kit, pressurized oxygen and ventilation system. Be sure to wear didymium safety lenses whenever you are working with glass. (If you need information about how to set up your studio, refer to the first link in Resources).

2. Create your pendant by rotating your rod in the flame of the torch and shaping it as desired. Apply the decoration of your choice.

3. Attach the 6 mm rod (punty) as a cold seal to the bottom of your pendant. Do this by holding your 6 mm rod in one hand, your pendant in the other hand and lightly heat the edges of both in the flame. When the pendant has more of a heat glow than the rod, pull both glass pieces out of the flame and touch the two together. This makes the connection tacky enough to stick, but not so hot that they are permanently welded together.

4. Use one hand to heat the top of the pendant and use your other hand to rotate the 8 mm rod in the flame. When the 8 mm rod is molten, attach it to the pendant and pull it out of the flame. Hesitate for a second and pull the glass up and around so that it forms a loop. Go back in the flame, touch the loop to the pendant and remove the remaining 8 mm rod by melting it off. Continue heating the loop's connection point so that it is smooth, with no obvious ridges. If needed, insert the graphite reamer into the loop hole to clean up the shaping.

5. Grasp the loop with your tweezers and, holding the punty with the other hand, tap the punty on top of your torch so that it breaks off. Gently heat the bottom of the pendant on the side of the torch flame to remove any marks.

6. Bury your pendant in vermiculite or place it in a kiln to anneal.

Glue on a Hook

7. Remove your finished pendant from the vermiculite or kiln. Acquire a necklace bail from a craft store or Internet vendor, such as Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.

8. Use a glue, such as Pascofix Instant Adhesive, to attach the bail to the pendant.

9. Follow the instructions on the bottle for drying time.

Tips & Warnings

• Lightly warm your tweezers in the back of the flame before grasping the pendant hook so as not to shock the glass.
• Never begin lampworking until you understand all the health and safety considerations and are set up with a proper ventilation system.

References

• Glass Blowing: An Introduction to Solid and Blown Glass Sculpturing; Homer L. Hoyt; 1989

Resources

• An Introduction to the Lampworkers Studio
• Fire Mountain Gems and Beads
• Lampwork Etc.