Sometimes the best tools come from other media. Since Dale is a lampworker, I'm familiar with this tool. It is used to shape hot glass into leaves. When my supplier just added them to their inventory, I just HAD to get some for YOU!
Essentially you put some clay between the jaws and squeeze!
Tool details:
- leaf size of the jaw is 1.5" x 7/8", finished size is up to how you cut the leaf
- comfortable rubber coated handles
- tool hardened steel jaws, welded parts
- tool length 6"
TIPS:
What I have discovered is that you must use a sheet of clay rolled to the thickest setting on your pasta machine. It really needs a release agent so I found water spritzed on the jaws is the best.
I found the best thickness is THICK! But experiment and see what you get.
Cutting the shape was easiest for me if I held the clay up off the table. It's up to you, but the two sides won't exactly match on the edge, so decide on a side and cut that outline.
Smoothing the cut edge will probably be necessary, so I used the Glass Clay Burnisher. The burnisher can also be used to deepen the ridges on the surface of the leaf. Shape and reshape the leaf to your desire!
LOOK for the blog post that shows more of the details of my experiments.
