Marquis Tutorial

For proper alignment, make sure that your bottom tray is loaded into the base with the X on the left side. When pressing, also make sure that the X on the top of the tool is towards the left.

	Lay down your initial footprint and check the size by either bringing the mandrel down to the base of the tool for reference, or the handle portion of the tool up under your mandrel. It is better estimate smaller at first because you can always add more to the footprint. Once it's on, you cannot take it off.

	If you have followed our tip about determining how much glass you need for the cavity, you will know how much glass to wind onto your mandrel. The beads should be a slim bicone with narrow ends and plump center.

	Do not press when soupy and fully molten. Wait for your glass to start to slightly 'form a skin' (don't wait too long or you won't be able to press) and then let it start to settle into the bottom of the tool so it doesn't slide around when pressing. While centered over the cavity, press straight down while steadying the tool against the back wall and left pole of the mold.

	Fire polish away any chill marks on the surface. If you like crisper edges, be sure to keep your flame on the faces of the bead, not the edges. If you like more rounded edges, shoot them with some heat and they'll start to round for you.
Bead by Gina Beardsley	Beads by Lori Greenberg