LindPW Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 My father and one of his friends are very talented lamp workers. They make beautiful glass beads and other decorations. I thought why not marbles. Here are some that I made yesterday. Only my second time attempting marbles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindPW Posted March 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 A couple more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvrons Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 Looks like you had a good day. I really like that last one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock Marbles Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 Sweet! I still remember my first hand-made marbles (and still have them). Don't give them away. Mark them in sequence (1801, 1802, 1803, etc.). I kept my first 100 marbles before I sold one. Pick a number for you. Might be 10, 25 or 50. I like looking at the progression of my skills and the techniques I tried. Thanks for sharing and keep up the enthusiasm! John P.S. Get a copy of Drew Fritts' book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumblebee Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 Great start! I was asking a local glass maker what a basic setup would require to start making marbles. He was estimating around $2k (used prices?) plus the cost of oxygen. Does that sound about right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 How satisfying that must be. The Halloween colors jump out at me. Nice spiral. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindPW Posted March 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 20 hours ago, wvrons said: Looks like you had a good day. I really like that last one. I had a blast! Thank you! I was trying to find a color close to oxblood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan3087 Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 Those are sweet I like the blue orange one. Funny I was just watching how they're made and thinking about trying it. No idea what the start up cost is though. I will be building my blacksmith forge finally so maby after I get that figured out lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindPW Posted March 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 11 hours ago, Shamrock Marbles said: Sweet! I still remember my first hand-made marbles (and still have them). Don't give them away. Mark them in sequence (1801, 1802, 1803, etc.). I kept my first 100 marbles before I sold one. Pick a number for you. Might be 10, 25 or 50. I like looking at the progression of my skills and the techniques I tried. Thanks for sharing and keep up the enthusiasm! John P.S. Get a copy of Drew Fritts' book. Thanks for the advice! 17 is my lucky number. Maybe I’ll start at 1700. Just made 5 more marbles tonight. I can’t wait to see them tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindPW Posted March 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 8 hours ago, bumblebee said: Great start! I was asking a local glass maker what a basic setup would require to start making marbles. He was estimating around $2k (used prices?) plus the cost of oxygen. Does that sound about right? Thank you! All the gear is my Fathers, but I did ask him and he said under $2000 is feasible, with a beginner setup. He recommended the company Arrow Springs for equipment and glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindPW Posted March 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 7 hours ago, Steph said: How satisfying that must be. The Halloween colors jump out at me. Nice spiral. It is a wonderful feeling and gives my father and I something to do together. The orange and black is my favorite, so far. The black also contains dichroic glass, to add some sparkle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock Marbles Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 22 hours ago, bumblebee said: Great start! I was asking a local glass maker what a basic setup would require to start making marbles. He was estimating around $2k (used prices?) plus the cost of oxygen. Does that sound about right? About that. Focus on a quality torch and kiln. For 17 years I've used a GTT Lynx torch and a Jen-Ken kiln (11" dia x 6" tall chamber). Both bought as new. I use dual Airsep concentrators. Picked up as used rebuilds. Check Craigslist for low hour units. The best tool to start is a 5-in-1 Infinite Rim Graphite Mold from Dan Grumbling. Stainless steel punties cut from welding rod. Last but not least, get proper eye protection!! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindPW Posted March 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2018 Two of my favorites from my last batch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted March 31, 2018 Report Share Posted March 31, 2018 Like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindPW Posted April 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2018 Really starting to enjoy making opaque marbles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManofKent Posted April 10, 2018 Report Share Posted April 10, 2018 They're looking good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikie_T Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 WOW.... those are real beauties! I like swirls and those are GREAT!! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindPW Posted April 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2018 Thank you everyone! Hoping to get behind the torch again soon. This is me and my father turning some mibs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted April 20, 2018 Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindPW Posted April 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2018 New marbles!!! Now this first one, I can’t take credit for. My very talented father spun this beauty. Just under 15/16” Eventually I’ll get to that level(I hope) But until then here are a few of my newest mibs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted April 30, 2018 Report Share Posted April 30, 2018 Tell your dad that one is smoooooth. You have kind of a ribbon core going on in one of yours. I like the slaggy one too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindPW Posted May 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 I will be sure to tell him! The amber “slag” is my favorite out of this group. I think I see more colored transparent bases in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenb Posted July 26, 2018 Report Share Posted July 26, 2018 These are amazing Linda ! I think orange is your color . Your wide swirling style is so couture and cool ! Do you sell your handmades ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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