More fun with Wine Bottle Stoppers

[redhotbeads]

Here's a pic of two stoppers I did for a friend of mine. She chose the colors and I was happy with the end result ... Now I am trying to figure out how to make them rounder on the top. Any suggestions? MAGS??? Are ya out there??

Kelly

[Ann*S]

Kelly,
VERY nice. Which method did you use ..on or off the screw insert?
Great job.
Ann

[redhotbeads]

I used the epoxy method. So far, so good!

[craftylady]

Thats really cool How would one go about making those? Would you use a manderal? Then proxy it on? If so what manderal?
Laurie

[ValorieCox]

Beautiful Kelly! I especially like the one on the right with the fancy swirls! Nice colors too. Thanks for showing us, and keep those photos coming.

Best, Valorie:cat:

[wildfirelauri]

Kelly, they look great! If ya want really round, try using a marble mold to shape them.

[Anne Londez]

I love those twists, it's something that escapes me so far...
Anne

[margaretz]

Great wine stoppers. I like the one on the right best- the detailed swirls are so delicate. Would go perfect with a nice bottle of red wine!

[redhotbeads]

Those twists on the right - do dots (one row around the middle, and then a dot staggered in between each dot on the row below, on subsequent rows), and melt them in. In between each group of three dots, super heat that area. Take a clear stringer, and twist. I did it all the way around, and that's how it turned out. Does that make sense? I have a hard time explaining!
Kelly:)

[ValorieCox]

Kelly,
Yes you expained that 'dot swirl' technique perfectly...I'm going to give it a try today!

Thanks, Valorie:cat:

[redhotbeads]

No problem, Valorie - glad they made sense. It is a cool technique. On that stopper, I did white dots with smaller pink dots melted in on top. Kind of a cool effect.
Kelly

[margaretz]

Made lots of sense, actually. well explained, thanks!

[macbeth7]

Great stoppers, Kelly! :clap:

Beth

[b2beads]

Woo hoo, Kelly - those look awesome! It sounds like you built them right on the screw. Did you have to "super heat" it before starting (as someone said, or they would crack)? I'm planning on trying that method using hemostats - how did you "hold" the screw?

Lauri mentioned my suggestion - marble mold would make nice round ends.

B2

[mistymade]

Hi Kelly,
The wine stoppers are beautiful! You did a great job on them and on explaining the technique! That just might be my next project!
Misty:)

[redhotbeads]

Thanks, guys!!! I'm enjoying making them. I'm not doing them right on the screw, though - I'm using the epoxy method that was described on the (gasp, dare I say!) ISGB board awhile back. My Ohio bud Lydia told me how to do them and it's working out great.

[paintfool]

Kelly, these are exquisite! I would love to have one of these. You did a great job explaining the technique. Even I understood it and the only thing i know about glass art is what i'm learning from all of the wonderful posts here! :D
Cheryl

[BlackDotMags]

(waving frantically)
Hey, Kelly! Yup, I'm here now! :)

Sorry if I've been missing any shout out's to me, but I've been up to my eyeballs in mucky-muck these past few days. Haven't even touched the torch in 5 whole days, either! :( But that's about to change in about 30 minutes when I go fire it up.

Your stopper tops are great! I love the bright, swirly look! :clap:

For rounding mine, I used graphite marble molds. I used several sizes from 3/4" to 1 1/4" because I kept adding layer upon layer of glass, and smoothing in between each layer with the mold. For me, this was the easiest way to keep the glass from distorting.

Mags :)

[redhotbeads]

Thanks, Cheryl! :-) They are a lot of fun to make.

And thanks to you too, Mags ... I like the marble mold idea. I've got to get a bigger one. I've got a small one, and it's *too* small for the stoppers. So I'll take your recommendation on size and order one from Frantz today. I'm doing OK with the tapered styles, but I'd like to try some round ones too!!:D

[redhotbeads]

OK, one more - this one I delivered on Friday:

[Kathy Champion]

Those are beautiful! I bought some of the stoppers but haven't used them yet. But keep posting...I'm getting inspired!!!

Kathy

[TheCharmedLife]

:clap: Those are so cool! OK Yall either need to figure out a way to block me from these boards or one of you needs to adopt me for a week and teach me how to work with hot glass. :-)

[macbeth7]

Kelly, another great stopper! :clap: I love the swirly thingies...not the "official name", I know! :p

Charmed, a week would turn into a lifetime obsession with hot glass! :D

Beth

[Laura Brito]

Wow Kelly, how impressive, they are very neat! You are doing such a nice job!

Laura

[lvideki]

Kel, you are awesome!! I love those stoppers! Can't wait to make some of my own....

Promise to teach me when I get my stoppers!

Les

[Mori]

Kelly, your stoppers are great. I'd like to try making them someday myself.
Can you tell me where to get these stoppers?

Thanks a bunch!
Mori

[redhotbeads]

Penn State Industries sells the stopper blanks themselves, and so does Lee Valley, although they differ slightly in construction. Both work fine, though.