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How to Bevel Eyes
Eye cutting is a skill that you will develop over time. With a few guidelines, the right tools and a little practice, you will be an expert in no time!
1. Soft fire your greenware head to cone 018.
2. Soak head for at least 5 minutes in a bucket of water.
3. Use a Diamond Perfecter* (DP) tool to gently score around the eye socket several times until the inside of the eye falls out.
4. Use a Feather Knife* (FEAKN) to remove the rough edges around the eye socket and to finish opening up the eye in the proper shape. Make sure to use a new or almost-new Feather Knife for best results.
5. Pick up a Master Eye Bevele* that is 2mm larger than the final eye size. (Your head will shrink in the bisque firing.) Insert this beveler up through the neck, or through the back of the head and gently rotate it back and forth. Keep the head and the beveler wet; the water acts as a lubricant. Rinse frequently.
6. Be sure to thin the inside of the eye evenly. As you get closer to the rim of the eye, pad the beveler with a thin cosmetic sponge covered with a smooth panty hose. Doing so reduces the chance of chipping.
7. Carefully smooth the edges of the eye opening with a Multipurpose Blender Brush* (SBR105) without changing the shape of the eye.
8. Check the fit of the eye opening with an eye that is 2mm larger than the one you will set.
9. Once you have finished your eye beveling and cleaning your seamlines, fire to the cone recommended for the porcelain color you are using.
For a complete write up on three different methods on how to bevel eyes, order back issue of DollPro April/May/June 1997* issue (PROAPR97 $3.00). The article “the eyes have it” by Sheryl Williams will give you complete illustrated instructions for eye beveling.
For Eyesetting tips, please refer to Dollmaking August 2001, page 54-56
*These products available from Seeley’s.
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