Bead caps help you frame focal beads and provide a way to merge many seed bead strands together. You can also use your cap as a great top for tassels, or skirts for sculptural pieces. This is a wonderful tool for a creative artist!
The Bead Cap Mandrels are available in 4 sizes:
- 3/8" (9mm)
- 7/16" (11mm)
- 1/2" (12.5mm)
- 5/8" (16mm)
All sizes are welded to a 3/32nd mandrel, which sticks out 1" out of the end of the cone. This gives you something to rest on your rod rest in the kiln and creates the hole at the narrow end. They are fully constructed from high quality stainless steel.
You dip the whole cone into the bead release, and when you remove, you can tap gently on the edge of the release jar to remove any excess, or use centrifugal force by spinning the mandrel in the bead release jar, but not in the release itself. This spins any excess release off the mandrel.
Tip: Be sure not to let the glass go over the large end of the cap, or you will not be able to remove the glass cap when you are done!
Credit: The adorable Easter Pig was made by Angele "Gelly" Davis.