An Evening with
Ali VandeGrift
Crash Course in Coring
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Hello Dragons! I am very excited for another opportunity to hang out with my favorite ISGB chapter! My presentation will involve the process I use to core and cap lampworked beads with metal tubing and handmade caps.
I will go over all of the equipment and materials required to perform this technique, which will also be summarized in a handy document with links and explanations.
During the demonstration, I will share how to measure, cut, and fit tubing into a lampworked bead’s core with the assistance of the Jim Moore Arbor Press. I will also demonstrate how to texture and cut a bead cap out of a sheet of sterling silver and form it into a cap.
Adding metal cores and caps to your beads can bring the presentation of your work to a new level. It is helpful in designing jewelry and creating a finished look on glass. I have been working with this technique for about 12 years, I love what sterling silver/copper/brass can add to glass.
Join me for a fun evening in cutting, hammering, and chatting! Most likely, you will also be subjected to a visit from my family… Brennan and our funny, almost 2 year old daughter Diddy!
You can see more about Ali and her work on her website.
After the Demo Update!
(If you missed it, remember that members can watch the recorded demo on the Facebook Members’ Page, check it out! And if you aren’t a member but would like to be, visit the Membership page)
We had a great lesson in how to cap and core beads tonight. Ali showed us how to core a bead from start to finish, and then how to make bead caps and added those to the process. For any of us who have been hesitant to try to core, or cap and core a bead, we were given a dose of confidence tonight!
Ali generously created a document that lists the tools and supplies she uses as well as where to find them. Kelly has posted this information on the Facebook Members Group page for anyone who would like to try their hand at this method of finishing their beads.
To begin, Ali showed us how she measures her tubing to the correct length for each bead. She used a small cut-off saw to cut the tubing, a fine file to smooth the cut edge to ensure the edges were flat, and then finished with a deburring tool to clean any burs on the inside.
Once the tubing was ready, Ali moved to the Jim Moore press she uses to flare the tubing edges. She told us that she uses slight increments of pressure on one side, then the other – repeated several times, to get a nice even finish.
Once the bead was cored, she moved on to capping. Ali demonstrated cutting her desired size caps from a sheet of sterling silver after first punching holes into them to match the tubing size. Once Ali had the caps ready, she showed us how she used a dapping block to dome them to the degree that would match well with the bead to be cored.
Ali prefers to match the caps to the beads in a visually pleasing combination, depending on the bead shape and design. Two of the caps she made were then hammered to give the texture that she desired prior to putting them on the bead.
Once that was done, she cut a piece of tubing, assembled the caps and bead on the tubing, and used the press to secure them and flare the tubing.
In order to make the rounded edge she prefers for that application, out came a plastic hammer to finish off the project to perfection.
We were happy to receive a visit from Brennan and Diddy at one point. Diddy gave her mom’s bead a heartfelt “Wow!” which delighted us all!
Thank you Ali, for sharing your time and expertise with us!
Visit Ali’s website to see more of her beautiful work.
If you would like to show some appreciation for her generosity in sharing her skills with us, you can send Ali a little something for her tip jar (any amount, large or small is welcome.)
If you prefer, you can use her Venmo @ali-vandegrift
Dragon members have access to this recorded presentation, found on our Facebook Members Group .