The marbles have a network of shattered glass inside them.These are ordinary marbles that were heated to make the glass expand.As the outside of the glass shrinks, it collides with the hot, expanded interior to crack it.
Step 1: You can choose your marbles.
There are clear, mono-color marbles that have a cat's eye pattern.When marbles are cracked, they will just crack in half.To make sure you like the effect, start with five or six marbles.Flat marbles and other glass pieces have a higher chance of breaking than other pieces.
Step 2: The marbles can be placed in an oven.
Place the marbles on a tray with raised edges.Don't use a pan with a non-stick surface.
Step 3: It takes 20 minutes to bake at 180oC.
The temperature of your oven should be set to 350o.Some people like heating as high as 260oC (500oF).
Step 4: Put the ice water in a bowl.
To keep the bowl chilled, fill it with cold water and ice.
Step 5: The marbles should be transferred to the ice water.
Carefully remove the marbles from the oven.If you don't want to touch the hot glass, place it in the bowl of water with a spoon or other utensil.It is unlikely that the hot glass will explode on contact with the water.If you want to wear safety glasses, do not put your face over the bowl.
Step 6: Wait for the marbles to crack.
When the marbles enter the water, you should hear a hissing or crackling noise.The inside of the marbles will crack within a minute or two.
Step 7: Take a look at the marbles.
You can take them out by hand after the marbles cool.Some of the marbles may have cracked apart, but most will be smooth on the outside.If some of the marbles have small cracks, you can dry them off and repeat the process to get more cracks.
Step 8: A cracked marble necklace is possible.
Glue a bell cap onto a marble with E6000 glue or another high strength glue.Wait until it dries completely, then push a jump ring onto the ring of the bell cap.You can put a necklace chain on the jump ring.The pliers should be used for greater control.If you want to rock the jump ring back and forth, you'll need two pairs of pliers.For precise control, find a glue tube with a long nozzle.
Step 9: Paint marbles with nailpolish.
When the polish reflects through the cracks in the glass, it adds an even more colorful sparkle.Before using in rings or other jewelry, coat the flat side of the marble with nail polish and let it dry.Depending on the amount of nail polish you use, you may need two or three coats.
Step 10: Flat marbles can be turned into rings.
E6000 glue can be used to glue cracked marbles onto a ring base.Wrap two wires around a ring mandrel or object the same size as your finger to make your own ring base.Wrap them around the ring setting and spiral the rings around each other to create a flat surface for marble to rest on.Wrap the wires around the ring.
Step 11: You can make wire-wrapped jewelry.
You don't have to practice to make a wire cage.Wrap the ends of a piece of wire tightly around the three or four wire loops you made.Push the marble into the center of the cage, then use pliers and wire cutters to make adjustments and loop the wire around jump rings or other jewelry components.There are many techniques you can learn if you enjoy this look.Try this pattern.It's easy to manipulate aluminum wire.For more jewelry projects, 20- or 22-gauge wire is a good choice.