The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/all/20060828114045/http://www.kikibead.com:80/techniques/casing.htm

Kiki Beads Lampwork
Home Beads Kiki's Attic FAQ Techniques Order Info About Me Contact Me Auctions

 

Back
Up
Next

Cased Beads

Question: How do you case a bead? (cover it with transparent glass)

Answer:  Applying a transparent  color over another color isn't too difficult if you start small and don't try to case a difficult color.

Lets start easy.  For your first bead pick a dark transparent color that you like.  Anything is fine.  You will also need a clear rod of glass for the casing layer.

I'm going to tell you how I do it for small beads.  I find this the easiest method for me.

Make a tiny bead on your mandrel with the dark transparent color.  Keep this SMALL!  Keep this little bead warm by passing it in and out of the flame while you do the next step.

 

Using a slightly oxidizing flame (more oxygen then you normally work with) begin to heat the end of your clear rod.  More oxygen means less scum and bubbles in your casing layer.  Melt a ball of glass on the end of your rod which is about 1 1/2 to 2 times the size of your core bead (see why you need a tiny core bead).  To do this and not loose control of your glass ball gently turn your rod back and forth to keep the ball at the top.  If you get it too hot it will fold over on itself and possibly trap some air bubbles.

This is the tricky step.....you have kept your little bead warm but not to hot.  Now is the time to put the ball of glass onto it.  Get the ball of glass very hot but don't burn it.  Then turn your rod over so that your hand is above the hot end and the ball of glass looks like it will drip right off.  Keep the ball of glass in the flame and just as it is ready to drip off the rod touch it to the top of your bead gently, use the rod to push it around your bead and turn the bead at the same time so that the clear wraps around the equator of your bead completely. This is done very quickly, basically get the blob hot, twirl it onto the bead quickly and that is it. This is a step you will need to practice so be patient and try a few beads.

The final step is simple.  Once the clear glass has been wrapped around your core bead heat each end by the mandrel gently and watch the clear pull down towards the mandrel.  Do both sides and then heat the center to round out your bead.

 

When you master this with a transparent colored core bead then try an opaque core.  Avoid the greens, dark Ivory and the new purple color we lovingly refer to as "Evil Devitrifying Purple".  They are really tough and you need more practice before attempting them.

Possible problems and how to fix them

The casing layer isn't even around my base bead.....You didn't get the hot glass ball wrapped completely around while it was still hot.  This is a very quick step, don't be afraid of it.  Before you begin to melt the clear onto your base just apply a bit of clear to the thinner areas.  Then melt it down.  This will usually fix that.

The base color is creeping up over my clear casing.....This is greatly effected by your core bead color (that is why you need to avoid the tough colors for a while).  Once it happens you can't fix it.  But you can avoid it in the first place.  Just be sure to heat around the mandrel ends first.  If you heat around the equator the glass will flow to the hottest part first and bring the core bead up with it.

The core color isn't through the entire bead, I can see some of the mandrel through the clear casing.....This is because the clear glass fell off the core bead and onto the mandrel either when you were wrapping the clear glass or while you were melting your bead smooth.  Be more careful when you first apply the casing glass to keep it only on the core bead.  Also watch as you melt your bead smooth so that it centers properly.  If it falls one way or the other you will see this problem.  Use your tweezers or your marver to straighten up your bead if you need to before this happens.  Again, once it happens you can't fix it.

Yeup,  I make mistakes once in a while too!