FREE - Swirled Whirled Beads
 

I have a thing for glass shorts - fun little bits of glass that were partially used
and left... I adopt them from others, beautiful bunches of color.

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_6002.jpg

Now the problem is... What to do with them? I collected some transparent colors
and white stringer, and melted them together into fun, swirled wispy beads. Here's
how!

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_6012.jpg

Heat the end of the short (I used the scummy, cut end, since not all the glass will
go on the bead) and attach it to the heated end of a punty mandrel.

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_6013.jpg

Wrap an opaque color around it. I used white for contrast with the deep cobalt
blue.


http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_6014.jpg
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_6015.jpg

Fold it in half, or let it fall on itself, or just wad it all up. Neatness does
not count - the messier the hot mess is, the wispier the result. For what's shown
above, I folded it half then gave it a few twists with pliers.

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_6016.jpg

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_6017.jpg

Wind it on a mandrel - remember a narrow footprint so it's nicely dimpled - and
melt it down.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...90145432_n.jpg

The results can be very fun - remember a small amount of opaque color goes a long
way!

If the bead is smaller than you'd like, encasing in clear or another color will
magnify the swirls and add depth.

LOVE this idea! Thank you so much Nikki! What a great use for shorts. Now if I could only get Mark to make them... :D

Nikki these are very cool... Thanks for tutorial for using up shorts. :love:

This is always fun to do ! :) I've done it with regular rods of glass too.

This is so cool! I cannot wait to give it a try. Thanks so much for sharing.

I'm glad everyone likes. :)
No secret technique, nothing I'm claiming as mine, just thought I'd share for anyone who hadn't thought of it.

Oh Nikki, what fun!! I have bags, boxes and a few coffee cans full. I never throw anything away it seems....LOL I'm definitely going to give this a try! Have you etched any? wonder how that would look. hmmmmm
thank you!!
sue

Thanks Nikki!! I love it that the final bead has a kind of veiled cane look.

Pretty pretty and fun... and a really great way to relax at the torch on those days when you just don't feel inspired. Playing with the pretty glass often starts bringing inspiration to the forefront!

Gretchen - Me, too. :) They're fun for bonus beads with packages - they're easy but still look great!
Kalera - it's totally, "Hmm, I don't know what to make next, I'll make one of these while my mind wanders" bead. :)

The tone's a bit more informal since I used it in my newsletter and liked enough to copy it here.

Thank you Nikki! My oldest granddaughter started making beads today. She has been watching since she was little and loves it. This is something she will love to make!

Thanks Nikki!! What a great way to use up shorts.

Cute idea. Thanks.

Great idea, Nikki! Thanks! I think I might add a stripe of adventurine to it too.

looks fun! Thanks Nikki. :flirt:

What a fun and easy technique Nikki - thank so much for sharing!

Thanks for the comments. :) I hope everyone has fun with it - I love the results, it's so easy anda good way to let your mind wander while figuring out what to make next!

I just found this, thanks to a ref. in today's Gallery. Great! I have really cut down on my short lengths, since I got my greedy grabber from Arrow Springs. I have both sized, but absolutely love the smaller one.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Nikki! I've also been challenged by discs.
Happy creating,
ginger

Very nice. Thank you for sharing. I was looking for something fun and random to do today. :)

I forgot to post mine in here! I made disks with the mix.
They are such fun, thank you Nikki!!!
Sue

What a great idea! Thank you for the tutorial, I love it!

Love the discs! Thanks for the fun words, I'm glad it's being used and enjoyed. I made a handful more last night, too. ;)

Very cool! With my favorite walk-in glass store selling shorts for 10 cents an oz., I see many swirled whirled beads in my future! Yes, I "make" my own shorts too ;), but I still have to dig through their shorts when I go... Rubino shorts for 10 cents an oz.? Yes, please!

Thanks for sharing!

Sweet deal, I'd take advantage, too! :)

Nikki, thanks so much for jogging my brain, sometimes the simplest things are so cool. I have tubs of shorts. Can't wait to go down and play around. Think I will go down now and sort out the transparent stuff.

Thanks

Thanks for this Nikki as it looks like amazing fun and a good way for a newbie like me to play :)

:) I'm glad you both found it and like the idea - enjoy! Please share pics, I love seeing results.

Great idea! Thanks for sharing :)

Blast from the past. :) Hope you enjoy!

I've been filling up my old coffee cans with shorts for a few years now this is a great idea. Thank you!