Channel bead molds are great for making larger kiln formed beads. The outer two channels are slightly narrower for making smaller square beads, the center two channels slightly larger for making focal beads, or beads with two holes for more complex designs.
Materials needed:
bottle glass of various colors
kiln wash
Step 1
Kiln was the bead mold and prepare the mandrels.
Step 2
Cut bottle glass into strips. I’m using 1/2″ wide strips for the outer two channels and 3/4″ wide strips for the inner two channels. I’m cutting each strip into 3/4″ lengths. Keep the glass from each bottle together and don’t mix them!
Place rectangles of bottle glass in the channel.
Step 2
Add mandrel
Step 3
Add top piece of glass
Step 4
Repeat until mold is full
Step 5
Fire to a full fuse for 1/4″ glass.
Step 6, remove mandrels from beads, and do any cold work necessary.
