I spent a couple of days on the torch, melting up red, white and blue glass for Universal Mama’s Freedom stocking on June 4 (click here).   I really loved how these came out:

I also found a button making technique that I really like!

Before, I was making buttons on a cabochon mandrel (a flat plate thing), and I had to grind the bead release off the back, leaving it unpolished.  But now I can make buttons with clear glass and have it not all etched on the back.  Instead of gluing on a button shank back, now I plunge a red hot loop of stainless steel into the molten glass.  Quick, easy, clean and more durable!