Encasing

I use this method mostly for  casing stripes but it works over other stuff too.Use a  strip of clear compatible glass. I like to use Spectrum  & I like Spectrum's Artique  clear for  casing

Warm up the end of your strip until it starts to sag. Center and lay it gently over your  bead and keep slowly rotating your bead away from the strip until about a third is covered. Keep the strip melting in the flame as you  go.

At this point I like to flip the whole  mess over and continue rolling my mandrel until the bead is entirely covered, with a slight overlap of  clear.

Take a pair of nippers and just cut right  across the strip. It should cut easily, with rest of the  clear strip falling to your work surface. (Surprisingly  it never seems to break.)

You will end up with a seam. Just melt it into the glass.

I like to press it gently against my  marver to fuse the casing to the bead. Of course you can also use your mashers for this.

Melt.

Mash.

Rotate

Thanks Mr. Smircich!

Just keep it rotating in the flame until  the casing has melted onto the base bead and the shape is as round as can be.

 You should end up with something like  this.

I hope this was somewhat helpful. If you have any suggestions on how to improve this tutorial, please email me.

....and flame on!