Anyone know how to make these? Please!

Annieli123 · #1 2022-10-29, 11:20pm

Hi guys! I’m new to the world of lampwork! I found these beautiful beads online a while back and they are what inspired me to start learning lampwork!

These are vintage glass beads and these beads are known as Dragons Breath! I think they are absolutely gorgeous but could not find a tutorial of anything close to them! Most of the foil techniques out there unfortunately doesn’t offer the depth these beads have. If anyone knows how to make them, please!

ESC · #2 2022-10-30, 9:32am

Hi Annieli123. I don't know how these are made, but if I were to try to replicate them, this is what I would do.

Make a base bead of your choice of transparent. Roll in silver foil pieces. Thinly encase in clear transparent. Roll in reduction glass shards or thinly encase in reduction glass. Reduce, unreduce, then reduce again until you get the translucent effect and pop in the kiln.

Annieli123 · #3 2022-10-30, 1:47pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESC

Hi Annieli123. I don't know how these are made, but if I were to try to replicate them, this is what I would do.

Make a base bead of your choice of transparent. Roll in silver foil pieces. Thinly encase in clear transparent. Roll in reduction glass shards or thinly encase in reduction glass. Reduce, unreduce, then reduce again until you get the translucent effect and pop in the kiln.

Hi ESC,

I’m a newbie, could you please explain how to unreduce and what it does? I only know reduction!

ESC · #4 2022-10-30, 2:25pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annieli123

Hi ESC,

I’m a newbie, could you please explain how to unreduce and what it does? I only know reduction!

To unreduce to is either turn the propane way down or the oxygen way up; basically the opposite of a reducing flame. It simply burns off the reduction metal on the surface of the glass. Then you reduce again, only there's not as much silver on the surface anymore, so you get a filmy surface instead of a shiny surface.

KJohn · #5 2022-10-31, 3:43pm

those look really similar to Naos's Fire Opals. There is a free tutorial in the archives here, should get you on your way!

Annieli123 · #6 2022-11-10, 9:32am

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJohn

those look really similar to Naos's Fire Opals. There is a free tutorial in the archives here, should get you on your way!

Thank you!!

Annieli123 · #7 2022-11-10, 9:34am

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJohn

those look really similar to Naos's Fire Opals. There is a free tutorial in the archives here, should get you on your way!

Hi Kristin,

I did see that gorgeous tutorial! It was the closest I could find but unfortunately the fire opals are darker and more vivid in color (probably because of the black base glass?), whereas these have a softer color; and the opals also don’t offer the same amount of depth….I thought of modifying the tutorial but have no idea how….

Three Muses Glass · #8 2022-11-10, 11:24am

Those look like they have Olympia Rain stringer squiggles under or over the encasing. Unfortunately I don't think that glass is available any longer. Someone might know of a substitute. I used to make something sorta similar but pressed.

echeveria · #9 2022-11-10, 12:02pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Three Muses Glass

Those look like they have Olympia Rain stringer squiggles under or over the encasing. Unfortunately I don't think that glass is available any longer. Someone might know of a substitute. I used to make something sorta similar but pressed.

Aion or Aion 2, somewhat like OR.