Media - Books
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Cool Beads on a
Hot Head by Cindy Jenkins
Look for some of my
work in Cindy's newest book (due out later this year) which focuses exclusively on beads made
on the Hot Head torch. The Delphian Vessel (shown below), which is one of my
favorite pieces ever, was made on on Hot Head torch and has
since become my logo piece used on my business cards. The book is expected
to include my tutorial on "On-mandrel Transparent Hollow Vessels".
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Delphian Vessel & Sample Text
from Tutorial:
On-Mandrel Transparent Hollow Vessels:
I derived this technique because I wanted to
translate the refractive beauty seen in the larger, transparent blown vessels to
a smaller, on-mandrel form. Most on-mandrel hollow vessels are made over a steel
core; unfortunately, that technique calls for the use of opaque colors in order
to hide the excessive bead separator. This technique has minimal contact with
the separator which allows easier finishing and clean-out, and doesn’t require
any knowledge of glass-blowing.
Making the Base:
- [FIG 1] Dip a ¼” hollow
mandrel in bead separator and blow through the other end to expel the excess
from the center. The idea is to have very little separator near the end as it
could potentially become part of your vessel. Let the separator dry
completely.
- [FIG 2] Using a pen or
pencil carefully mark your mandrel. This will determine the finished size of
your piece. I generally mark mine 1” from the end. This will result in a 1 ¼” flat-bottom
vessel or 1 ½” tapered vessel.
- [FIG 3] Apply a small
round of glass touching the inside of your mark (‘inside’ means the area
between the mark and the end of the mandrel).