When making these glass beads, I like to visualize the overlaying of transparent colors in watercolor painting. The general concept is similar though they are different mediums. This project will demonstrate the technique used to achieve this effect in beads using a specific design and palette of colors that I know work well. Once you have had some practice, you can branch out and create your own designs using your own color choices.

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• Safety glasses • Tweezers • Prepared mandrels • Tungsten poker • Stainless steel chopsticks • Curved-nose pliers • Mashers • Small bowl of water • Graphite marble mold • Torch • Rubbing alcohol for cleaning glass • Annealing oven • Millefiori cane	• A variety of Moretti/Effetre soda lime glass:   T-004, 12mm diameter clear   T-008, very pale amber   T-012, light amber   T-014, medium amber   T-016, dark amber   T-068, pale pink   T-072, orange   P-264, ivory   0-536, carnelian   F-228, green in clear   (T=translucent, P=pastel, O=opalino, F=filigrana)
For information on supplies, please see the Annual Buyers' Directory.

Editor's note: To read more about this author's beads, see “Drawing with Glass,” page 56 in the October 1998 issue of Lapidary Journal.