Tree topper

[BORO]

I know I can't be the only one who gets the request for the top of the Christmas tree.

They are a little bigger , and more complicated with lights and what not....

Can I get some pics of your best attempts ? I'm drawing a blank.

My number one contender, is a snow man in a big clear snow globe looking bubble, with white frit on top/inside... Lights? , of course .

I need this gift to go over well. ( in laws )

[istandalone24/7]

damn that's quite the project! must poast pics when it's done!!!

[aREa541]

Could do a networked star or snowflake looking shape? Sandblast for extra points, maybe make a light holder on it so it shines bright like a diamond.

[Jed]

I was thinking of an angel,with a bell shaped dress that would fit over the tree spike.

[BORO]

Thanks so far... You guys make me laugh. "Shine like diamonds"

This is a old tiny hurricane for (real) tea candles. It has no top on the hat, to let air out. 5 small holes on tho bottom to let fresh in. I was always amazed that
1. The thing doesent crack from heat.
2. Even cheap wax candles never left any soot on the inner glass.

I have made small ornaments with the hollow snow man , just wield the bottom lip to the hole on a bubble bottom. You can put lights up inside with the tree top. ( or in the ornament ) I just received some China white tube, should be perfect.

I'm prepping as we speak. I will snap a hot shot before I leave at the end of the night.

[PyroChixRock]

That's cool

[CrassGlass]

How about a big spiky in-the-round star? If you etch or sandblast it, you could put LEDs inside and have a nice diffuse glow.

[BORO]

Ok. So here is the first round that feels as big as I figure I need.

The others in the past were smaller ornament size.

Love the bubble blowing power of the 40mm, vs. The cc. I used 16ish inches of 38 x heavy for the bubble. I can't say how big it is, but it felt giant making it. It's feels 3mm or so thick. Like a heavy goblet top.

Size reference , The nub of glass on the top is 12mm. The handle connected to the bubble 14mm. The snow man is hollow , open on the bottom. Blow tube on the outer bubble , right next to the snowman base.

Only got a quick pic , I was getting chased out of the shop as they closed. I got it sealed in the bubble. Still need to push the snow man further in, and make the bubble more squat. Lots of room for the tree top and lights inside the snowman. Put the first layer of frit on the bottom. I will add more white frit to the top and bottom of the bubble still. I cut the snowman's hat hobo style, put a bird in a nest inside. Had to tuck the stick arms in some to clear the bubble lip. I don't know why I forgot about the gloves instead of stick arms, would have been less of a chore.

[BORO]

I figured I needed a cap under the snowman bottom. A centered handle would make it easier and safer to finish. So I put some sarindipity tube on the bottom. Struk it out purple between the dots, but it looks like a ice cream cone color when back lit.

The bubble is a little wonky for my liking. So is the bottom connection. However I never intended to sell it. Speed was more important than perfection this time. In the past ,I put a packed Sherlock pipe in his mouth. I thought it a good idea to spare the mother in law, and myself. Took 90 mins the first night. Less than a hour actual flame time to finish it yesterday. All in all not bad for a first round prototype.

I tagged the snow man to the bubble. Ouch! I then cut away the bubble, melted in the quarter size clear tag to the side of the snowman, and coil potted the new hole closed with 4mm . I got it puffed out relatively even. The extra glass helped to make the bottom connection crooked? Was the only real issue during assembly.

Here is the accidental tag , on the bottom right.



Here is the finished product.





Size reference.




And a shot of the bird in the hat.

[aREa541]

Love it, I am sure she will too!

[SethBickis]

Awesome!

[istandalone24/7]

Drew, that is BADASS!! love it

[Yeef]

sweet!

[dplaza]

wow 16" of 38 heavy i'm surprised it doesn't tip the tree over. looks awesome!

[gypsea]

What a great glow!