This afternoon Chris filmed me making a stringer bead. I should point out that this movie isn't a tutorial as such. It's more of a demonstration thing so you can see how I apply stringer. Of course, you get a load of my waffle which you may find useful. Maybe. Chris played around with various camera angles but we went with this one as you get an almost Laura's Eye View of the beadmaking action. It's important that you see not just the bead but the positioning of it in the flame and also where my hands are. At the start you also get some Laura-swinging-around-and-fidgeting-on-her-chair action too! Sorry about that. We hope you like the movie. There is no step-by-step version of this one as there really are no steps to stringer application. It'd go something like "Step 1 - Make bead. Step 2 - Apply stringer." See? Doesn't really work. So I may well write some hints and tips for stringer application instead.
Great little demo video Laura-thank you. It's almost as good as seeing it for real!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for creating this video. It was extremely helpful!!!
ReplyDeleteThese videos are really brilliant and super helpful to me. The parts that helped: how you get the globby bit off when you are finished applying the stringer and breaking off the stringer in cold water to have a crisp stringer. Thx again!!!
ReplyDeleteThis demonstration is very helpful. Working above the flame, particularly. I couldn't apply stringers before I started turning my torch down and it has been a secret I've felt guilty about for months! I agree with Jenn about the jug of water tip - how sensible; I have been breaking it off by bouncing the stringer against the table; once the hot end jumped into my hair and sizzled it's way through - not a good look (or smell!) Thanks again, Laura.
ReplyDeleteGood good. Glad it's helpful. As I say, it's not a tutorial, it's more advice and a how-I-do-it kind of thing.
ReplyDeletePleased that you've got something out of it. :o)
Thank you Laura this video is great!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vid Laura, you make it look so easy......
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura, this was very generous of you. Looks like I have to turn my flame down even more.
ReplyDeleteThat's fab Laura, thanks for that! It was really interesting to see how you work, and so very different to what books and other people say (and what I do) - I think I am going to have to try your way I think!
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic Laura!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you ever so much for sharing.
just one question...sorry lol
how do you get the same stringer thickness? i usually end up with a thin one and a thicker one, i find it hard to keep the same thickness for a bead set espeacially.
keep up the fab work xx
Thanks Claire! Glad you found it interesting. :o)
ReplyDeleteAngie - glad you like it. To get consistent sized stringer is just that boring old thing - practice. I just kind of judge the thickness by eye. I tend to pull a whole load of stringer for a set before I start work so I'm bound to have enough of the same thickness. Sorry there isn't a more definitive answer to your question!
Laura x
I would love to be able to do that!
ReplyDeleteThank you Laura, that was very generous of you and very interesting. I will have to pluck up courage when I get a bit of free time and try it though without any chance of getting them neat like yours.
ReplyDeleteExcellent video Laura - thank you.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I've been lampworking for almost 2 years I've never actually seen someone IRL do stringer work, only read about it.. Your video was so helpful - Im a watching learner rathe than a reading learner.. OK, so its midnight - but I've just to go and pull a white stringer and try your method :)
Oh! I love you! hehe Wonderfully helpful video. Thank you VERY much :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge fan of your work as well BTW. Lovely!