Cabs - how do I stop this happening?

[Lyn G]

When I start making a cab, I put a little blob of glass on the end of the mandrel to cover it and then start making the cab very slightly to the left of this blob and then try and cover it.  When I use opaque glass I don't seem to be able to avoid getting a mark in the centre of the cab, which is obviously to do with the initial blob I made on the end of the mandrel.  Is there a way to avoid this?



Turquoise Dotty Cab by Twirlybeads (Lyn Gutteridge), on Flickr

[MangoBeads]

Its very difficult Lyn .. the heat will always draw the glass to the center of the cab causing a mark, some colours are worse than others. There is also alot of heat in a small amount of glass .Try applying the glass all at once you can always remove some. Also you can remove the mark before you decorate .

Any use?

PS the tutorial I am writing will cover this .. it will be a week or so

[Lyn G]

Thanks Manda.  When you say apply the glass all at once, do you mean don't bother applying a blob on the end of the mandrel first?

Looking forward to your new tutorial.   

[BeeBeads]

I'm really looking forward to the new tutorial too 

[MangoBeads]

Thanks Manda.  When you say apply the glass all at once, do you mean don't bother applying a blob on the end of the mandrel first?

Looking forward to your new tutorial.   

Yes just go for it do it all at once don't blob !! I use the sticky out bit of the mandrel as a guide to vaguely wrap the glass ( as much as i think i need ) around before easing it back against the surface of the cab .

[Lyn G]

I'll have another go tomorrow and just go for it!   

I have made dozens so far that I am not really happy with....and probably three that I quite like! 

[MangoBeads]

I'll have another go tomorrow and just go for it!   

I have made dozens so far that I am not really happy with....and probably three that I quite like! 

Persevere Lyn what you are describing one of the biggest problems wheat comes to decoration .it will always pull towards the Center . Work cooler and slower and you will get there

[Kaz]

Am I odd in quite liking that effect?

[★★Terri★★]

Am I odd in quite liking that effect?

No - I like it as well.   

But I suppose if it's not what you wanted it's a disappointment.

[kerensky]

Well - if you hadn't just pointed that out, it would have been missed by me.

I quite like it too.

[Cecilia]

I like it too, I always seem to get lines but thought it was down to glass choice, I always find turquoise quite steaky but I like that.
I made some commando ones the other day for cuff links and thay are streaky too, just wish I could get the streaks to match!
X

[Lyn G]

Am I odd in quite liking that effect?

No - I like it as well.   

But I suppose if it's not what you wanted it's a disappointment.

Thanks, Kaz....and Terri (& Kerensky too).

I think I always have in mind what I would like the finished bead to look like, and then if it doesn't come out like that....for instance, with swirly streaks when I wanted it plain, I feel disappointed with it, and so I don't like it.  I am quite critical of my own work, which is why I often don't like what I make.....and why I have thousands of 'rejects' taking over my whole house!   

[June]

That sounds familiar, Lyn, I'm just the same  . I, too, liked the cab, btw 

[Lyn G]

Thanks June.