This is a quick tutorial I wrote in 2008 for an Australian magazine. Since the magazine have limited coverage I thought I'll share on a broader media. If you enjoyed it and want to show your appreciation, please use the PayPal button below.

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To make this bead, you will need, Double Helix Psyche glass, clear, and some gold stone stringers.

Method

1. make a 2 centimetre long barrel using Psyche

2. twirl in the reducing flame for a couple of second to bring out the metallic shimmer.

3. spiral on clear from end to end leaving a space between each loop so it will push out the colour to form the ridged design.

4. melt the clear in carefully. Make sure the barrel is even in thickness.

5. use the gold stone stringer to high light the ridges not covered by clear.

6. melt in the gold stone and check the final shape. TIP - if the barrel is not even and balanced, the final squeezed bead will be off centred.

7. use a masher or squeeze tool and flatten the bead to the final shape

8. flame polish the chill marks and anneal. TIP - annealing is very important for this type of beads, as the thin profile is particularly susceptible to thermo shock cracking.