Looking for a sculptural flower tut
 

Hi all :)

A family friend has asked me to make a sculptural magnolia pendant for her. Her husband recently died, and the magnolia has significance to them.

I haven't the faintest idea of where to begin. Does anyone know of a good tut to get me started? I don't mind buying one, just not the $100+ one :)

Hi Traci~

I've done sculptural flowers, but not magnolias. As far as I can tell, the main differences between flowers are the shape/color of the petals and how they are attached to the base. My first plan of attack would be to do a search for pictures that show the object from several different angles:

http://garyweiss.net/images/still_li...the-season.jpg

http://www.ameliaclark.com/magnolia_duet.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/labels/3088704434/

http://www.findmeplants.co.uk/photos...aven_scent.jpg

http://www.ebsqart.com/ArtShows/cmd_...ries_7_5_G.htm

and then look at discussions or tuts on similar items (one of these is a home made petal tool), and discussions of sculptural flowers in general:

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=43634

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=52884

and especially post #2 in this thread

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=11462


I'm thinking what makes magnolias so luscious is the subtlety of the color variations, so you might think about doing a little enamel action along the edges. Here's a free introduction to enamels:

http://www.jcherrell.com/MZJCPropertiesandSafety.pdf


I know none of that is directly what you're asking for, but it may help you think about the project. Good luck!

Jo

David (houptdavid) is a newbie but great at sculptural roses. There is a free tut out there somewhere that he was kind enough to share. Maybe you could transfer some of the techniques he uses? I will see if I can find the thread/tut for ya.

Yes, Davidf's free tut is very good. You only need to adjust the petal to A MAGNOLIA SHAPE.

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=137519

Thanks you guys! All the responses have been immensely helpful :)

Yeah, David's tut is the one I was searching for and didn't find. Good luck!

WOW I guess I don't have to mention my tut :lol:

Pull your petals first, make 3 different sizes 4-5 of each size on the biggest one you may want to poke a hole or pre form a loop on one

OK try this, make an off mandrel oval white bead, add yellow dots all over it, do not melt them in!

Add your first group of 3 petals at 12, 3, 9, to almost the bottom of your base bead between the bead and the punty

Add your second group of 3, so they lay out between the first 3 petals letting them lay more open at the bottom of the bead

Add your third group of 3 the same as the first 3 at 12, 3, 9 letting them lay flat

It's going to be harder to keep this all warm because it is so open


Just remember TO FLASH IT to keep it all warm (that just sounds so dirty :badgrin: )

Make any sense???

Hey Traci! Some great info in here...someone else was just asking about glass to use for sculptural flowers. I mostly use BE for gorgeous colors (I use antique white for magnolias), plus I use their powders for "dusting" on petals, etc. The BE is a little stiffer to work with also so you retain the details thru the fire-polishing process. Give me a shout if you've got any questions!

Oooooohhhhh Lea! I was asking you about your gorgeous flowers! And they are gorgeous.

Traci, if you want to stick wit 104, CiM is nice and stiff too. I don't know if it is as stiff as BE, but it is stiffer that Effetre. I have be able to get some better results with it.

Ok the Idea was for a magnolia flower but the Effetre white is just too soft! I couldn't keep the petals round and ended up having to reshape them. But you get the idea about the center even though its to big.

Gorgeous!

Wow, David, those are beautiful!!

And kudos to working with effetre white. That stuff is a PITA. You did an awesome job!

-Amy

Would Lauscha be stiff enough? It's got a different viscosity from the Effetre for sure.

Thanks Amy
I think Bullseye would be better, but I didn't want to clean off my bench to switch.

Totally gorgeous Lea!! :love:

wondering if there are any tutorials still available for this type of work.

I only clicked on two of the lampworketc links above, but those two worked.