Making Soft Glass Ornaments by Jeannie cox

This is a how-to video on how to make soft glass ornaments using a blow tube (or hollow mandrel). I usually make these smaller ones as pendants but also blow them out larger for tree ornaments. Hope you enjoy!

[@megangras8284]

So pretty. They make perfect gifts n my son lives the glass ornaments

[@Babette17C]

Oh Boy! Oh Boy! I can't believe what I'm watching ....... You're such a doll for teaching us how you make these wonderful blown ornaments. I'm delighted, can you tell? How generous of you! All for FREE too. What a great Christmas present you've given us. Thank you sooo much. You've sure been working overtime for us with all your great videos. How special.

[@jeannie291]

You are too sweet, thank you! :)

[@annwilbert57]

Thanks Jeannie! This answered all of my questions and I can’t wait to try some myself.

[@TheWitchvortex]

Omg this is magical! I learner glass blowing for 3 years and I was so depressed that I couldn't keep on working in a hot shop, but this is almost exactly like glass blowing just in small! Love it

[@PennyK54]

Great tutorial! I need to purchase some of those mandrels and get practicing. Thanks again for sharing.

[@YTjndallas]

I sure do appreciate you, Jeannie! 😍

[@dianeschwenk1231]

I am just learning bead making. I came across your videos and think they are great. You give a lot of info and I really like that. Thank you for great videos to watch.

[@jeannie291]

Thank you! :)

[@ioanaandreeas7756]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@GreenEnvyDesigns]

Thnxjeannie! I always learn so much just watching your video’s :)

[@jeannie291]

You are so welcome - thanks for the nice comment! :)

[@misschel826]

Nice tutorial. You explain everything so well. Thank you

[@jeannie291]

Thanks! :)

[@isabelleleon8327]

J'adore vos video, j'apprends c'est vraiment beau.

[@adrienechapmanbuffington9669]

Thanks!

[@colorfulkreationsnet]

You do beautiful work & I can't thank you enough for your video's! I'm self taught & learned everything from you tube, I just have one question: with the thickness of the glass, are the ornaments heavy? I make ornaments for my grandchildren's tree's that they have in their bedrooms(it's a family tradition I started when my 2 were young) I worry about the weight of the ornaments! Again,thanks so much for your video's!!! It's kind people like yourself that help other's find their talent!

[@jeannie291]

They are not that heavy, but might be too heavy for tiny, whimpy branches. To solve that, just use less glass so the walls will be thinner.

[@colorfulkreationsnet]

Thanks so much! I've got so much soft glass from my early learning days & now I can use it up,I'm using 33coe now & it's nice to be able to put down a project&go back to it later without shocking the glass. Since the love of my life's now disabled,I get interrupted quite a bit! LOL

[@IMSiegfried]

@@colorfulkreationsnet I didn't even know that was possible with 33coe...hm...wheels are turning! :)

[@timcapell]

Can you use softglass with this? Or does it have to be boro?

[@k.ande.southworth9197]

Excellent video. Where do you purchase the metal blow tubes from?

[@k.ande.southworth9197]

Never mind, I see your response under another comment :-)

[@letsgofishing99]

Hi Jeannie is bead release the same thing as kiln wash? Thank you for another great video!

[@jeannie291]

No, it's not the same. It can be used, but the chances of it cracking off when you are trying to make a bead is extremely high and most likely a LOT worse trying to blow out ornaments like this since only a small portion of glass is attached to the blow tube. I would buy bead release, which isn't all that expensive, and you'll be much better off.

[@letsgofishing99]

Jeannie Cox great thank you! Is there one that's better than another?

[@jeannie291]

Everyone has their own favorites! Mine is Sludge Ultra by Arrow Springs - - the first one on this page . . . www.arrowsprings.com/html/mandrel_release.html

[@jeannie291]

The Blue Sludge is more for boro glass, but I found it's a little harder to remove from beads and the insides of these ornament toppers.

[@letsgofishing99]

Thank you! I really appreciate it. Have a good night!

[@kerialcock6910]

I cant find that marver tool you use here. Where can i get one?

[@Presleyaron1935]

She passed away several,years ago.

[@kerialcock6910]

@@Presleyaron1935 OH no! I had no idea. OMG she was so giving all of these tutorials will live on forever. I am not sure if you are a relative but, if so, I am so sorry for your loss.

[@veronicaball735]

Love 💜 where did you get your mandrel ?

[@jeannie291]

Thanks! :) I actually bought my mandrels off a friend who had dozens of them, but they are available from several lamp work/glass suppliers like Mountain Glass Arts and Arrow Springs - - search for steel (or stainless steel) blow tubes.

[@veronicaball735]

Thanks, love mountain glass will have to check them out :)

[@laurienessel]

most independent hardware stores sell stainless tubes, one foot long, various diameters. Ace, True Value. Look for the K & S display www.acehardware.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2625942&cp=2568443.2568451.2624969.2625784. Awesome video, Jeannie!

[@PurpleDog06]

Laurie Nessel would hardware stores also sell solid ss rods that could be used as a mandrel? I want to try some beadmaking (I take classes with boro and work in that shop for pendant making so I have access to a torch, kiln, and basic tools) but I'm so resistant to ordering online because it seems like it's not worth it unless I order a bunch of stuff that can't be found locally and I can't afford all of what I want right now!

[@laurienessel]

Yes, they have ss rod as well. Or you can buy ss welding rod (308 or 316), cut it down, grind the burrs and use soapy water to remove any oils.

[@Presleyaron1935]

For all those on that doesn’t know, Jeannie passed away a few years ago.