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-   -   Wigwag Tutorial (http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179053)

Mustang Dawn 2010-11-09 6:02pm

Wigwag Tutorial
 
2 Attachment(s)
I posted this over in a gallery thread so I thought I would repost it here. Wigwags are fun to make and really help you practice your heat control. This is how I make my wigwags.

1. Using the clear rod of glass wind a ½ inch long barrel shape on the bare end of 3/32 mandrel. Using clear for your base will give you a nice stiff glass to work with and will make pulling your wigwag much easier.

2. Next spiral encase with your base color rod that you want to use and melt smooth. Shape back into a barrel again using your graphite paddle. Make sure to cover your end of the barrel with your base color as well.

3. Now place stripes down your barrel with the different colors of glass. I use 3 to 4 different colors. You can use stringers and full size rods for your stripes to give you different looks.

4. Melt your stripes smooth and roll it into a barrel again.

5. Heat the end of the boro punty and your barrel end. Once they are glowing attach the boro punty to the end of the barrel.

6. Heat the barrel until glowing making sure your have a nice even heat throughout the barrel. This is what gives you a nice smooth wigwag. If you have uneven heat you will have ridges in your wigwags.

7. Next take the barrel out of the flame and let a skin form over the barrel. This is where you have to read the heat. The barrel can not be soft or too firm. Pull out about an inch from the front of the barrel and let it rest a few seconds, then twist one way 4 to 5 turns. Next keeping the flame toward the rear of your barrel pull out another inch of glass and twist the opposite direction 4 to 5 turns. Keep repeating this step until your barrel is too small to pull off any more glass. Your wigwag is now made.

Tip: When using wigwags I like to press them into my bead to keep the wigwag from spreading out.

Have Fun!

beadmama 2010-11-09 6:07pm

Thanks Dawn for sharing this with us!! Looks like fun!!!

Meow Meow Beads 2010-11-09 8:43pm

WOW this is easier then the one i read along time ago! THANKS!:waving:

Torched Art 2010-11-09 9:05pm

Cool, thanks for posting. I want to make some now.

PattyK 2010-11-10 2:35am

Dawn, this is wonderful! Excellent instructions and your photos are gorgeous!

Kalera 2010-11-10 3:07am

Love it!

skippystretch 2010-11-10 3:25am

Thanks Dawn, can't wait for the weekend.

Leigh-in-AK 2010-11-12 8:46am

Well, isn't that cool!
Thanks for sharing Dawn.

snazzydoodle 2010-11-12 9:15am

Those are so neat!! And make your beads look really fun.

artwhim 2010-11-12 11:08am

Thanks for posting directions Dawn! Very cool!

glassjones 2010-11-12 12:07pm

Thanks Dawn. Your wigwags rock.

Anne Ricketts 2010-11-12 12:32pm

I love making wigwags! They are a lot of fun to use for decorations!

LeahBeads 2010-11-12 12:43pm

Love the tutorial! I have a question which I think I know the obvious answer, but do you lay down the wig-wag twistie without twisting it, like a normal twistie?

Thanks,
Leah

Mustang Dawn 2010-11-12 1:17pm

Leah no twisting necessary just lay it down straight. If I'm going straight around a bead I let gravity lay down the stringer. This makes a really straight line :)

tweeky clothespin 2010-11-12 2:24pm

Ok, way too cool! Thanks for posting this with pics. I wasn't sure what you did with them, but the picture of your beads answers my question. And might I just say, "WOW!"

LeahBeads 2010-11-12 4:03pm

Thanks, Dawn, for being so generous!

Leah

squeek-a-mouse 2010-11-12 11:52pm

What a great tutorial! Thank you so so so much! I spent all night last night making these and had an absolute blast :-) I have a feeling I'll have a mountain of these by the time my new thermocouple shows up next week. I'm okay with that ;-)

Anne Ricketts 2010-11-13 8:02am

Think I'm gonna make some today! Glad this tut came back up! :grin:

Janetlee 2010-11-13 8:43am

Thank you Dawn for sharing!!! Love the tut.
Janet C.

Mustang Dawn 2010-11-13 11:02am

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeek-a-mouse (Post 3283364)
What a great tutorial! Thank you so so so much! I spent all night last night making these and had an absolute blast :-) I have a feeling I'll have a mountain of these by the time my new thermocouple shows up next week. I'm okay with that ;-)

Once I start making them I don't want to stop. Since your waiting on your thermocouple I would be making murrini as well :)

Thanks everyone!

Dawn

ukiacat 2010-11-13 12:24pm

Thanks very much for this tutorial. Just this morning I was thinking about how to get myself to use bright opaque colors. I think this will be a really fun way to do that!

Diane Woodall 2010-11-13 3:36pm

Thanks so much Dawn. I love making twisties and can't wait to give these a try!

indyglassman 2010-11-13 7:40pm

2 Attachment(s)
Here is an example of a few wig wag pendants made using a very similar method. Great tutorial Dawn!

SilverRiverJewelry 2010-11-14 5:21am

Thank you so much for sharing!

Anne Ricketts 2010-11-14 6:01am

1 Attachment(s)
Here's the set I made yesterday using the wigwags I made. :grin:

Mustang Dawn 2010-11-14 2:36pm

Anne I love them! I think I will be making some wigwags this week :)

Chris I might even try using wigways the boro way too....very nice focals!

tenor_ringer 2010-11-27 8:25am

Dawn, thanks for posting the tutorial. Can't wait to try it out.

Donna T. 2010-11-27 2:48pm

Dawn, thanks for posting this. I'm going to try this tomorrow. I think it's going to take some getting used to not to twist too much but I can't wait to try it.

jonibird 2010-11-27 5:07pm

Awesome! Very nice of you to share! Thank you!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!! :c)

houptdavid 2010-11-27 5:52pm

1 Attachment(s)
OK I tried :lol:


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