Skull Mold Directions

Think Safety:

Be proactive about safety. Take classes, do research, and talk with experts. Actively work to identify, and then reduce or eliminate hazards. You are responsible for your own safety and long term health.
Always use the correct filtered glasses to protect your eyes.
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
Always work with proper ventilation. Talk with an expert about your situation.
Set up and operate your torch system safely. Take a class or get an expert to show you.
Keep your workspace clean and organized. Set up your tools and glass so you don't need to reach over or around the torch.
Be careful with water. Putting hot tools or glass in water can generate steam. Long tubes can create jets of steam.
Watch out for repetitive strain injury (RSI). Take breaks, watch your posture, and cushion your elbow rests.
Always remove and clean your beads while wet to minimize bead release dust in the air.

Cavity Mold Safety:

The mold will get VERY HOT during use. It must be on a heat proof surface and should not be touched.
Do not pick up or touch the mold after it has been used. It can take over 30 minutes to cool off after use.
Be careful pushing the glass into the mold. Don't use excessive force or your hand may slip and touch the hot mold or the glass break and cut or impale your hand.
If your glass gets stuck in the mold DO NOT wiggle, yank or attempt to pull the mold off. Wait a few more seconds for the glass to cool and shrink some more and then lift gently.
This mold is for lampworking or flameworking only, not fusing. It will melt in a kiln.

Preparation:

Place the mold with the cavity end up on a heat proof surface, preferrably graphite.

Using Your Cavity Mold to Make Beads:

Build a base bead on a mandrel.
Decide which way you want to lay the mandrel across the mold. For the skull mold, you can have the height of the face run across the mandrel or along with the mandrel.
You may want to add an extra lump of glass to the side of the bead where you want to use the mold.
Heat one side of the bead till droopy and place into the mold. Press downwards gently on the mandrel. You may want to use a paddle to press the back of the skull down.
Lift up gently. No wiggling of jerking movement is needed.
If you didn't have enough glass, add more and re-press.
You may find it helpful to use the mold on both sides of the bead to keep it symmetric and evenly weighted.

Trouble Shooting:

If you lose too much of the detail, you are getting the bead too hot after pressing.
You can also use a poker to add or sharpen details such as the mouth and eyes.