I've been working this past week at getting my "disk mojo" back.  As I said before, some days I can make a spiral disk and some days I can't.  I've been practicing this technique for over a year, and still, making nice, round spiral disks is extremely challenging.  
I was pleased this week to get a little mojo back and also see my skills improve.  I made some large metallic Triton disks, one particularly large at 23mm.  The other two in front are 20mm and 19mm: I was able to make the large disks because I figured out how to continuously melt and apply more glass to the disk as I'm making it. Previously, I would melt a blob of glass on the end of a rod and hold it to the side of the flame as I applied it to the mandrel to make a disk. Doing it that way, my disk could only contain as much glass as the molten blob I started with.  I couldn't figure out how to heat more glass mid-stream and still keep a decent disk shape.  I will try to repeat this next time I'm at the torch, because I had a customer ask me for a 28mm disk last week and I had to turn her down because I didn't have the skill.  Maybe I'm finally working up to it now.  Making large, perfect disks has been a goal of mine for a long time!
I was able to make the large disks because I figured out how to continuously melt and apply more glass to the disk as I'm making it. Previously, I would melt a blob of glass on the end of a rod and hold it to the side of the flame as I applied it to the mandrel to make a disk. Doing it that way, my disk could only contain as much glass as the molten blob I started with.  I couldn't figure out how to heat more glass mid-stream and still keep a decent disk shape.  I will try to repeat this next time I'm at the torch, because I had a customer ask me for a 28mm disk last week and I had to turn her down because I didn't have the skill.  Maybe I'm finally working up to it now.  Making large, perfect disks has been a goal of mine for a long time!
I also have some of my regular-sized disks up in my Etsy shop right now.  I have a set of 8 and a set of 10, all sized about 15-18mm:
 Have a peaceful weekend folks :-)
Have a peaceful weekend folks :-)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Large Triton Disks
Labels:
challenge,
disk beads,
Triton
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2 comments:
Those are beautiful discs! You really did get your mojo back!
Thanks Mallory! :-)
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