Glass loops, lace work or loop stitching
 

There are many names for this technique; spun glass, lace work, loop stitching, crocheting, glass loops or knitting (knitting or loop stitching usually refer to a wool knitted look)

I have tried to do loop stitches but am very slow & my quality sucks.
So developed my own style – glass loops.

2 x 4mm clear rods (I’m using boro, you could use soft glass)
Any colour stringer
Marble mould, 32mm diameter for this demo.
Graphite push (8mm dia smaller than marble mould)

Make a small maria 7-10 mm
Using a very small flame, keep the maria hot (not melty) - very close to the flame, but not in the flame. Melt tip of second rod, keeping it in the flame. Move the melted tip to touch the side of maria, pull back into the flame, rotate maria a little & repeat. Note, don’t move the maria from next to flame, just rotate it.

After 2-3 rotations around the maria, check the curve against the graphite push.
If curve is too small, heat the loops to a soft red colour (don’t melt!!!) & push onto graphite to enlarge curve.

If curve is too large, heat the loops, press the loops against side of marble mould, using the graphite push to form a nice curve.


Add more loops (repeat above) until you have half a sphere.

Evenly heat half sphere (don’t melt).
Melt tip of stringer, touch it to inside of sphere to make small dots – you may need to flame cut thin strings.
When you have enough dots, melt back the stringy bits.


If using soft glass, keep returning what is made to cold part of flame, so it does not crack.
Add more clear loops (so their curve is a little bigger than the curve of the ball).
Add more colour dots.

Heat open end of ball & use marble mould to push it into sphere shape.

Repeat above, until ball is closed


Evenly heat the whole ball to a dull red (don’t melt).
Grab ball with claw grabbers & make a bail.

If soft glass, place in a hot kiln & anneal.
With boro, I put under a thermal blanket to cool & batch anneal latter.

I make 4 sizes, 20, 25, 32 & 50 mm.
Small ones are good for earrings, larger for necklaces & Christmas tree decorations, they really sparkle when light hits them.
Then I though other uses & shapes.

Peter

These are very cool! I could see a large glass bowl filled with them on my coffee table. Maybe with some fiber optic cords running around them. It would be a very elegant centerpiece.

What a cool process!

Maria, had not thought of a bowl centre piece, I will make some without the bail or stem.

A dozen tiny battery powered fairy lights at the bottom of the bowl would add a flavor of what ever holiday is next.

I think they sell LED strings like that at the dollar stores.

I've just made about 50, here they are in a bowl, but need to get better lights.

Peter

Peter, those are just about the coolest thing I've seen in a while!

Made a hot air balloon, using same technique as above, finished about 5 inches high. My first attempt was OK, but think I can do better, I now have orders for 8. Have just ordered some graphite to make 3 inch marble mold (& maybe a 4-5 inch one) to make bigger balloons.

Peter

How clever ! They look like lace.

Very interesting! Thank you for sharing your technique!

Wow, that is cool.
Debby

What a beautiful bowl of baubles! Love it!

I got the idea for an umbrella (or parasol) from John Peters of Nighthawk Creations, I haven’t seen any other umbrellas like his – so I want to acknowledge him.



This is a good opportunity to give my views on copyright (I know it’s been covered many times). All lampworkers copy when we are learning – if it is a unique design or article by one artist, we need to acknowledge that person & we should not sell it commercially.

I would be flattered if others copied any of my original work (like my lace ball balls with coloured dots on the inside) but if you publish my methods or pictures of your work (copied from mine) then please acknowledge me. Also I have no problem with a few amateur sells of copies of my work, but commercial sales is another thing!!

Another subject, I deliberately put this thread in Free Tutorials not Boro Tuts, because I believe soft glass workers can get useful ideas from boro techniques, just as I (a boro worker) regularly visit soft glass tuts for ideas (I even watch mandril techniques – even through I don’t own any mandrils).

Peter

This is a technique I am trying to master.
I have been fascinated by this art form since watching the glass workers at the fair as a child!
Your tips really help. Never thought to use a graphite push for the roundness!
Thanks!!
Robin

Hi Robin
I like using any aids or tools which makes my lampworking easier. I'm starting to have hand-eye coordination & steadiness in my hands - I'm 70 this year.

I would like to see your attempts.
Is there anyone doing proper loop stitching? or similar to my method?

Peter

I love this technique

Peter

Спасибо, очень воздушная техника! Подарок к Рождеству!

these are making me happy!

very cool technique - thanks for sharing