Easy Heart Bead Tutorial

A simple method for making a hand-shaped heart bead - no press required!

Start with a round bead - I've used Effetre ivory as its soft and easy to shape.

Roll at an angle on a graphite marver to taper one end and create a cone shape.

Make the first shoulder by swiping glass from left to right on one side, don't touch the mandrel.

Make the other shoulder in the same way.

Gently heat the shoulders to round them out, keep the mandrel turning to avoid either shoulder slumping against the mandrel.  

Use the marver on the edges shown by arrows to straighten the sides.

Flatten gently against a marver to define the shape.  

You could use the rounded end of a knife to mark creases.  Decorate!