Does anyone have the CBS lollipop?

Yeah, send it to me and let me try it out for you.

Sorry, I haven't tried one, but I sure like the lollipop beads.

I think Lori's the reigning queen on the lollipop press. I have the Saturn, and I don't know it the process would be the same for both, but here goes. If I wind two little beads somewhere between 1/2" and 3/4" apart and then keep filling the middle until the whole molten thing looks like a large marble, I can then press and the bead turns out perfectly round.

I have it. Loooooove it! (If you hadn't noticed).

The main thing I do is wind a footprint that is the same width as the mold to start with. I'm pretty good at it now but still hold it over the mold sometimes to make sure it's the right length. After that, I basically just add glass until I get the right amount on there. I'll give you a hint on that in a minute.

As for the smooshing part...I'm finding that if you let it start to form a slight skin (i.e., not soupy molten) then put it down into the bottom of the mold and gently press down to fill it up, then bring your top part straight down onto it, you get the best results. I also find that sometimes one side is more round than the other. I therefore wiggle mandrel back and forth (side to side) while still in the mold and the glass can still move. It somehow helps.

Ok, how much glass? Get a piece of silly putty, polymer clay, play dough, whatever and find the right amount that fits in there and makes a perfect shape, no ridges. Then when you have it, roll it into a lemon shape and keep it in front of you for reference when you're getting your glass onto the mandrel. That is the shape I use before I smoosh....plump lemon. Don't worry if your ends are pointy before smooshing...it all works out. And don't worry if it's not a perfect, plump lemon...just so the footprintis the right length.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Hee hee. Very funny, Fran. :o)

It's pretty much the same thing for the two, whatever your method is. Just use more glass for the saturn because it has a deeper hole to fill.

Thank you Lori. I think I'm just having a bad lampworking night. You know when nothing goes right? After the fifth bead in the water jar I give up. And I wouldn't have dunked them if the bead release hadn't of gotten all over the place.

I'll give it a go in the morning. :-)

These instructions are fantastic,Lori - thanks!! They work for lentils, too, I believe. :)

That's exactly how I do my lentils. And yes they are fantastic instructions Lori. I think I was having a bad, bad day.