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Opal colour help

Started by Enchanted Cobwebs, August 25, 2015, 08:01:54 AM

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Enchanted Cobwebs

I love the opals, CM chalcedonay, marshmallow, cottontail and lots of others but I have the same problem with them all. I sometimes get clearish, sometimes opaqueish, then more often than not an unattractive half and half. Tried blasting with heat thinking that might make it go one way or t'other but no..tried working coolish (not sure I ever go cool enough tho) What is the secret or does each colour do what ever it likes?

Thanks everyone
Helen x
Now I can play all day as I retired from the 'proper' job....
http://www.enchantedcobwebs.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EnchantedCobwebs

Rascal

Hi,

I'm not much help but had the same problems with marshmallow and chalcedonay and remember at the time having a bit of a surf and the only thing I could come across was an old newsletter from Frantz, hopefully this link will work.

I never went back to the colours so didn't try it but maybe this will help:-

http://www.frantznewsletter.com/2010/08/06/tips-and-techniques-keeping-opal-glass-translucent/

Am sure someone will some real help will come along shortly!

Enchanted Cobwebs

Thank you, that is helpful as I was making some bell flowers with a clear core and swiping on the chalcedonay. I do like the slightly opaqueness but getting it only at the tips of my petals which led me to think more heat but last nights bath have proven that the heat in this case kept them more towards clear. Will try again to see if I can work cooler see if that makes a difference. They etched nice but take a long time, maybe the dregs of my etch all just dont have any oomph!
Now I can play all day as I retired from the 'proper' job....
http://www.enchantedcobwebs.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EnchantedCobwebs

Trudi

Have you looked on the CiM site ... There are lots of hints on there .. check out marshmallow
http://www.creationismessy.com/color.aspx?id=45

Enchanted Cobwebs

Thank you! you know I have never even been on their site, never entered my head! Very interesting read and I think I will be mooching around a while!
Now I can play all day as I retired from the 'proper' job....
http://www.enchantedcobwebs.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EnchantedCobwebs

spexy

I find with some colour's like Kryptonite if you put them back in the kiln the opaque colour will even out.

Madam Steph

Helen,

At Flame Off 2013 I did the Masterclass with Leah Fairbanks and we made beads with the Effetre opals.

I think you may be experiencing a 'kiln thing' here.

Leah told us that, (and I refer to my class notes here), beads made with opaline glass should always be 'last beads for the kiln' beads.
If you garage them for too long then they lose their opalescence, so you keep them in the kiln for the bare time.
Hope this helps 

Linda x

Enchanted Cobwebs

Thank you Linda and Linda!

Going to try all these tips at the weekend. Just made 6 little flowers working much cooler so wait and see if that makes a difference. I'm on the small kiln tonight so that might make a difference too!
Now I can play all day as I retired from the 'proper' job....
http://www.enchantedcobwebs.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EnchantedCobwebs

Trudi

I have to agree with you there Linda .... Sometimes I forget and I slap my head when I get my beads out if the kiln the next day!... Same for cim opals

Trudi

Ps ... I love drooling over the cim website ... New colours are up too!

Madam Steph

Just started a weekly fusing class, Trudi, so whilst awaiting the new CIM's I have been indulging myself with Bullseye 90 coe rods and of course lots of Tekta :D
The colours are interesting, and by sheer coincidence there is lots of info in Soda Lime Times this month.
Glad to say I have ALL of the colours they mention :P

L x

Trudi

Their aqua blue tint is my favourite  .....

Madam Steph

Mine too. Well ONE of them :P

L x