I
used 104 coe glass in transparent colours
STEP 1 STEP 2
together with silvered glass which requires
a reduction flame to ‘activate’ the colours.
The bead itself is not difficult to achieve but
does require good heat control and the ability to
layer even dots of glass. Practice melting regular
amounts of glass to build up your points equally.
MATERIALS

One rod each of the following colours:
Effetre ink blue
Effetre transparent pale amethyst
Effetre transparent dark turquoise
Double helix psyche
Double helix triton
GT Glassworks black nebula STEP 1 STEP 2

Dual or single fuel torch Start by making a small core bead in your chosen Taking a rod of silvered glass (I started with

1 pre-dipped 1.6mm stainless steel mandrel colour (I used the ink blue). The bead should psyche), melt a large dot and apply to the outer

Stainless steel pick (or thick glass stringer) be about 12mm by 8mm but you can make this edge of the bead. Repeat this all around the

Stainless steel ‘mashers’ (optional) larger if you wish. (If necessary, use a pair of bead to make 6 in total, although 5 dots looks

Hand held marver (optional) stainless steel ‘mashers’ to gently straighten the just as effective if you prefer. At this point

Kiln to anneal bead bead so it is more doughnut shaped than round). I create a reduction flame (achieve this by
either increasing your propane or reducing
your oxygen) and bathe the bead in the reduced
flame to activate the silver in the glass.
(You may need to do this a few times to get the
colour you want). Return the flame to a neutral
one before progressing to Step 3.
STEP 3
STEP 4 STEP 5
STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5
Next apply a large dot to the top of each point Continue by adding more layers to your points, Melt in the triton layer and reduce the flame. It is
using the pale amethyst rod and melt in. here I’ve used triton glass and have reduced the important that you keep all of your points warm
flame to activate the glass. As your dots grow as you are working so that you don’t allow the
you might like to flatten the tops off a little using bead to cool and potentially crack.
a marver to allow you to build up more layers.
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