Fritipedia - User contributions [en-gb]

Clear Glass

2008-11-30T07:24:43Z

Sparrow: New page: Clear glass does not equal clear glass - they are all different, and not even from manufacturer to manufacturer, but within different ranges. Most lampworkers at some point will want to us...

Clear glass does not equal clear glass - they are all different, and not even from manufacturer to manufacturer, but within different ranges. Most lampworkers at some point will want to use clear glass to encase a bead, which may lead to the bead cracking, if their are incompatibility issues, or a mucky surface, if the clear is not used correctly. This page is looking to gather all the info we can on which clear does (and doesn't!) do what.

Mandrel

2008-11-15T21:57:00Z

Sparrow:

A mandrel is a length of stainless steel rod used to make beads. After being dipped in [[bead release]] the molten [[glass]] is wound around the mandrel to form the [[bead]]. Because of this technique Mandrels are also the way you get the hole in the bead, as the act of wrapping the [[glass]] around the mandrel makes a bead complete with ready made hole.

Mandrels can also be hollow to allow [[blowing]] techniques to be used.

==What size mandrel to use?==

There are several different sizes - in the UK, mandrels are usually sold in metric sizes (1.6 and 2.4mm being the main sizes), in the US, sizes are imperial. Mandrels such as 2mm aren't available as often in the UK, but are a common size in mainland Europe. Which size to use depends on what kind of bead you make, and on personal preference. If you intend to keep your holes as unobtrusive as possible, a smaller size will be better, but if you intend to put your mandrel under a lot of strain (through raking, pushing, etc.), a bigger size won't bend quite as quickly. Silver core beads are usually made on 4mm or 5mm mandrels - check that whatever you use to core (tubing or glue-in rivets) will fit the bead snugly, but without problems - and that this then fits the bracelt system you are aiming for.

== How to make your own mandrels ==
Mandrels can be made by cutting non-coated 316L stainless steel welding rods to the desired length. The cut ends will need to be filed or ground down, using a grinding wheel, to remove any burrs or the beads will be difficult or impossible to remove.

They are also available in many different sizes from 1.6mm diameter up to 5mm used for big hole beads such as the silver core beads.

Hollows

2008-11-14T16:09:09Z

Sparrow: New page: Hollow beads are made by making two disc-shaped beads in close proximity to one another (start out with about the thickness of a rod apart, as you get better, challenge yourself!), then me...

Hollow beads are made by making two disc-shaped beads in close proximity to one another (start out with about the thickness of a rod apart, as you get better, challenge yourself!), then melting these discs so they start leaning towards one another and, finally, close the gap and become one bead, trapping the air inside them. This air, as it heats up, will expand, making the bead larger. Remember to make your walls quite thick to start with, they will thin as the air expands and makes the bead bigger. Also, remember to keep heating the bead evenly. If you want to, you can cheat a little bit by making the two discs so they lean towards each other to start with.

Marver

2008-11-14T09:00:37Z

Sparrow:

A marver is a tool for shaping beads. Usually made from [[graphite]] and in paddle form (well, a rectangular slim block on a wooden handle), it is really helpful to shape ends, [[tubes]], [[bicones]], or to rub [[foil]] into a bead so it doesn't burn off as quickly when you put your bead back into the flame. Marvers do come in other shapes, including some fancy ones for special jobs.

Marver

2008-11-14T08:59:55Z

Sparrow: New page: A marver is a tool for shaping beads. Usually made from graphite and in paddle form (well, a rectangular slim block on a wooden handle), it is really helpful to shape ends, tubes, bicones,...

A marver is a tool for shaping beads. Usually made from graphite and in paddle form (well, a rectangular slim block on a wooden handle), it is really helpful to shape ends, tubes, bicones, or to rub foil into a bead so it doesn't burn off as quickly when you put your bead back into the flame. Marvers do come in other shapes, including some fancy ones for special jobs.

Sandpit

2008-11-12T12:58:57Z

Sparrow:

Use this page if you're not sure how to edit a wiki but want to have a play. Log into the wiki using your FHF user name and password, then come back to this page and click on 'edit' at the top to play around. Use the menu on the left to upload files (e.g. a picture), but if you think you want to do this half way through editing a page, save it first, then come back to it - I just fell into that trap!
Don't forget to click 'Save Page' at the bottom once you're done, so you can admire your handywork!

PLEASE LEAVE THE TEXT ABOVE, BUT FEEL FREE TO CHANGE ANYTHING BELOW!

== '''Wiki Editing Game'''!!! Log in (FHF username & p'word), click 'Edit' and add your name to the bottom of the list! ==

Does this mean I'm editing and why is it called a sandpit? I can't add a photo as I'm not on my own PC but I can say hello

Sarah

Or does it mean I edited in the wrong place? - whoops

There is no wrong :o) And yes, you edited! Well done you! If you want a bullet point in front of your name in the list, just go back into Edit and see what looks different regarding your name on the list and the others. That little asterisk becomes a bullet point :o) And it's a sandpit because that's where you go and play ;o) Maybe I should have called it a Fritpit?

== YES!!! I too have edited the wiki and am a wiki virgin no longer!! ==

Sarah (who will get there in the end)

*Sparrow-Sabine

*Stacy
*Lush! - Julie
*Kevie192 - Kevin
*Garish Globes - Emma (but it took some doing!)
*Yay saffie here too - Sam gotta play more i think!!!
*Miss Pixie - Lucy
*Becci Fired Silver - Hoorah!

[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]

That's using the 'insert image button, but you have to upload a pic first!
(use code like this <tt><nowiki>[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]</nowiki></tt>

It is also possible to do stuff to the images... (like resizing) (note image in the centre is a smaller version of 100px)

[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]

This uses code like this <tt><nowiki>[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]</nowiki></tt>

See the following link for more details on images [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Images Help With images on MediaWiki]

<gallery>
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|Hey, I like
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg| making a gallery.
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|This is cool!
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
</gallery>

Teehee!!! :o)))))

You will also want to link to other pages... this is done by surrounding the text to link with 2 sets of square braces like this...

<tt><nowiki>[[Text to link]]</nowiki></tt>

So if I want to add a link to [[Cleaning Beads]] I just add the brackets around it... it's that simple.

== Kevin's Test ==

I hope this picture works :D

[[Image:charmbracelet.jpg|center]]

== Questions ==

Dickie, why didn't we get a wiki with WYSIWYG? :o)

Because it wouldn't have been a Wiki!! Wikis Use Wikitext !!
To be honest WYSIWYG is overrated, as it generally screws things up with no easy way to fix it, and you forever have to go back and edit the html to correct things. Wikitext is not ''that'' difficult to learn, and once you get the hang of it think how much use you will be to the '''''Wikis at large'''''...
I also thought that using the same software that runs Wikipedia would be
* More secure.
* More stable.
* Scalable.
* Easier for people to use who know about Wikis
* Not to difficult to learn
* Not something new to learn
* A known quantity.
It just seemed to make sense, sorry

Awww, okay then :o) I like the idea of 'building capacity' for the wikis at large, *gg*

[[Category:Testing]]

Sandpit

2008-11-12T12:58:29Z

Sparrow:

Use this page if you're not sure how to edit a wiki but want to have a play. Log into the wiki using your FHF user name and password, then come back to this page and click on 'edit' at the top to play around. Use the menu on the left to upload files (e.g. a picture), but if you think you want to do this half way through editing a page, save it first, then come back to it - I just fell into that trap!
Don't forget to click 'Save Page' at the bottom once you're done, so you can admire your handywork!

PLEASE LEAVE THE TEXT ABOVE, BUT FEEL FREE TO CHANGE ANYTHING BELOW!

== '''Wiki Editing Game'''!!! Log in (FHF username & p'word), click 'Edit' and add your name to the bottom of the list! ==

Does this mean I'm editing and why is it called a sandpit? I can't add a photo as I'm not on my own PC but I can say hello

Sarah

Or does it mean I edited in the wrong place? - whoops

There is no wrong :o) And yes, you edited! Well done you! If you want a bullet point in front of your name in the list, just go back into Edit and see what looks different regarding your name on the list and the others. That little asterisk becomes a bullet point :o) And it's a sandpit because that's where you go and play ;o)

== YES!!! I too have edited the wiki and am a wiki virgin no longer!! ==

Sarah (who will get there in the end)

*Sparrow-Sabine

*Stacy
*Lush! - Julie
*Kevie192 - Kevin
*Garish Globes - Emma (but it took some doing!)
*Yay saffie here too - Sam gotta play more i think!!!
*Miss Pixie - Lucy
*Becci Fired Silver - Hoorah!

[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]

That's using the 'insert image button, but you have to upload a pic first!
(use code like this <tt><nowiki>[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]</nowiki></tt>

It is also possible to do stuff to the images... (like resizing) (note image in the centre is a smaller version of 100px)

[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]

This uses code like this <tt><nowiki>[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]</nowiki></tt>

See the following link for more details on images [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Images Help With images on MediaWiki]

<gallery>
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|Hey, I like
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg| making a gallery.
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|This is cool!
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
</gallery>

Teehee!!! :o)))))

You will also want to link to other pages... this is done by surrounding the text to link with 2 sets of square braces like this...

<tt><nowiki>[[Text to link]]</nowiki></tt>

So if I want to add a link to [[Cleaning Beads]] I just add the brackets around it... it's that simple.

== Kevin's Test ==

I hope this picture works :D

[[Image:charmbracelet.jpg|center]]

== Questions ==

Dickie, why didn't we get a wiki with WYSIWYG? :o)

Because it wouldn't have been a Wiki!! Wikis Use Wikitext !!
To be honest WYSIWYG is overrated, as it generally screws things up with no easy way to fix it, and you forever have to go back and edit the html to correct things. Wikitext is not ''that'' difficult to learn, and once you get the hang of it think how much use you will be to the '''''Wikis at large'''''...
I also thought that using the same software that runs Wikipedia would be
* More secure.
* More stable.
* Scalable.
* Easier for people to use who know about Wikis
* Not to difficult to learn
* Not something new to learn
* A known quantity.
It just seemed to make sense, sorry

Awww, okay then :o) I like the idea of 'building capacity' for the wikis at large, *gg*

[[Category:Testing]]

Shards

2008-11-12T12:49:28Z

Sparrow:

== Using Shards ==

Needs text

== Blowing Shards ==

Below is a guide from Becky Fairclough of [http://www.chameleondesigns.co.uk Chameleon Designs]:

You will need -

*[[Hollow mandrel]] (stainless steel pipe will do fine) do NOT dip in release
*glass of your choice
*[[torch]] (hopefully that is obvious !!)

Gently heat the end of the pipe and start to add glass to it, building up the glass on the end of the pipe - you do not need to make a collar around the pipe you can just build the glass off the end.

Once you have a good sized gather - start small and get used to it !! A gather the size of a malteaser is good to start with - get it evenly hot in the flame, keep rotating it evenly and get it hot, the glass needs to be moving about but not in an out of control way !

This is time to blow.

KEEP TURNING or it will just blow out of one side. Ok, now the easiest way to do this is to blow hard into the tube and cap the end of the tube with your thumb but this does take some practice ...so try blowing hard into the tube and blocking the end of the tube with your tongue ..all you you are trying to do is stop the air coming out - physics hot air expands so if you can get air in there, it heats and expands doing the work for you !! The other option is you blow hard and steadily and do the work yourself, this takes a surprising amount of puff so I would try and master the capping the end of the pipe technique !

Once you see the sides start to grow STOP blowing / uncap the end of the tube, take thumb / tounge whatever off and now BLOW GENTLY to inflate the bubble to the size you want, for shards a malteaser size bubble will go to roughly the size of a large egg and give a nice thickness, obviously everyone has their own prefs re thickness so you will need to do some experimenting here to get it how you like it !

Cool the glass round the neck of the pipe with a brass tool or other cold tool and the tap the pipe, the "egg" will drop off the pipe... best to aim to land it on some [[vermiculite]] or something heat proof !!

Let the "egg" cool a bit, and then you can smash it. I put mine inside a bowl or bag and tap them with my graphite hand [[marver]] or whatever else is to hand... I avoid squashing them with my hands as shards have very sharp edges / points when they break.

The main things to remember are the heat needs to be even to give even wall thickness, and you need to KEEP TURNING the pipe all the time !!

You can also blow perfume bottles etc this way ..all just practice !

Sandpit

2008-11-12T12:21:01Z

Sparrow:

Use this page if you're not sure how to edit a wiki but want to have a play. Log into the wiki using your FHF user name and password, then come back to this page and click on 'edit' at the top to play around. Use the menu on the left to upload files (e.g. a picture), but if you think you want to do this half way through editing a page, save it first, then come back to it - I just fell into that trap!
Don't forget to click 'Save Page' at the bottom once you're done, so you can admire your handywork!

PLEASE LEAVE THE TEXT ABOVE, BUT FEEL FREE TO CHANGE ANYTHING BELOW!

== '''Wiki Editing Game'''!!! Log in (FHF username & p'word), click 'Edit' and add your name to the bottom of the list! ==

Does this mean I'm editing and why is it called a sandpit? I can't add a photo as I'm not on my own PC but I can say hello

Sarah

Or does it mean I edited in the wrong place? - whoops

There is no wrong :o) And yes, you edited! Well done you! If you want a bullet point in front of your name in the list, just go back into Edit and see what looks different regarding your name on the list and the others. That little asterisk becomes a bullet point :o)

== YES!!! I too have edited the wiki and am a wiki virgin no longer!! ==

Sarah (who will get there in the end)

*Sparrow-Sabine

*Stacy
*Lush! - Julie
*Kevie192 - Kevin
*Garish Globes - Emma (but it took some doing!)

[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]

That's using the 'insert image button, but you have to upload a pic first!
(use code like this <tt><nowiki>[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]</nowiki></tt>

It is also possible to do stuff to the images... (like resizing) (note image in the centre is a smaller version of 100px)

[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]

This uses code like this <tt><nowiki>[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]</nowiki></tt>

See the following link for more details on images [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Images Help With images on MediaWiki]

<gallery>
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|Hey, I like
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg| making a gallery.
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|This is cool!
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
</gallery>

Teehee!!! :o)))))

You will also want to link to other pages... this is done by surrounding the text to link with 2 sets of square braces like this...

<tt><nowiki>[[Text to link]]</nowiki></tt>

So if I want to add a link to [[Cleaning Beads]] I just add the brackets around it... it's that simple.

== Kevin's Test ==

I hope this picture works :D

[[Image:charmbracelet.jpg|center]]

== Questions ==

Dickie, why didn't we get a wiki with WYSIWYG? :o)

Because it wouldn't have been a Wiki!! Wikis Use Wikitext !!
To be honest WYSIWYG is overrated, as it generally screws things up with no easy way to fix it, and you forever have to go back and edit the html to correct things. Wikitext is not ''that'' difficult to learn, and once you get the hang of it think how much use you will be to the '''''Wikis at large'''''...
I also thought that using the same software that runs Wikipedia would be
* More secure.
* More stable.
* Scalable.
* Easier for people to use who know about Wikis
* Not to difficult to learn
* Not something new to learn
* A known quantity.
It just seemed to make sense, sorry

Awww, okay then :o) I like the idea of 'building capacity' for the wikis at large, *gg*

[[Category:Testing]]

Sandpit

2008-11-12T12:19:44Z

Sparrow:

Use this page if you're not sure how to edit a wiki but want to have a play. Log into the wiki using your FHF user name and password, then come back to this page and click on 'edit' at the top to play around. Use the menu on the left to upload files (e.g. a picture), but if you think you want to do this half way through editing a page, save it first, then come back to it - I just fell into that trap!
Don't forget to click 'Save Page' at the bottom once you're done, so you can admire your handywork!

PLEASE LEAVE THE TEXT ABOVE, BUT FEEL FREE TO CHANGE ANYTHING BELOW!

== '''Wiki Editing Game'''!!! Log in (FHF username & p'word), click 'Edit' and add your name to the bottom of the list! ==

Does this mean I'm editing and why is it called a sandpit? I can't add a photo as I'm not on my own PC but I can say hello

Sarah

Or does it mean I edited in the wrong place? - whoops

There is no wrong :o) And yes, you edited! Well done you!

== YES!!! I too have edited the wiki and am a wiki virgin no longer!! ==

Sarah (who will get there in the end)

*Sparrow-Sabine

*Stacy
*Lush! - Julie
*Kevie192 - Kevin
*Garish Globes - Emma (but it took some doing!)

[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]

That's using the 'insert image button, but you have to upload a pic first!
(use code like this <tt><nowiki>[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]</nowiki></tt>

It is also possible to do stuff to the images... (like resizing) (note image in the centre is a smaller version of 100px)

[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]

This uses code like this <tt><nowiki>[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]</nowiki></tt>

See the following link for more details on images [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Images Help With images on MediaWiki]

<gallery>
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|Hey, I like
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg| making a gallery.
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|This is cool!
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
</gallery>

Teehee!!! :o)))))

You will also want to link to other pages... this is done by surrounding the text to link with 2 sets of square braces like this...

<tt><nowiki>[[Text to link]]</nowiki></tt>

So if I want to add a link to [[Cleaning Beads]] I just add the brackets around it... it's that simple.

== Kevin's Test ==

I hope this picture works :D

[[Image:charmbracelet.jpg|center]]

== Questions ==

Dickie, why didn't we get a wiki with WYSIWYG? :o)

Because it wouldn't have been a Wiki!! Wikis Use Wikitext !!
To be honest WYSIWYG is overrated, as it generally screws things up with no easy way to fix it, and you forever have to go back and edit the html to correct things. Wikitext is not ''that'' difficult to learn, and once you get the hang of it think how much use you will be to the '''''Wikis at large'''''...
I also thought that using the same software that runs Wikipedia would be
* More secure.
* More stable.
* Scalable.
* Easier for people to use who know about Wikis
* Not to difficult to learn
* Not something new to learn
* A known quantity.
It just seemed to make sense, sorry

Awww, okay then :o) I like the idea of 'building capacity' for the wikis at large, *gg*

[[Category:Testing]]

Sandpit

2008-11-12T09:17:13Z

Sparrow:

Use this page if you're not sure how to edit a wiki but want to have a play. Log into the wiki using your FHF user name and password, then come back to this page and click on 'edit' at the top to play around. Use the menu on the left to upload files (e.g. a picture), but if you think you want to do this half way through editing a page, save it first, then come back to it - I just fell into that trap!
Don't forget to click 'Save Page' at the bottom once you're done, so you can admire your handywork!

PLEASE LEAVE THE TEXT ABOVE, BUT FEEL FREE TO CHANGE ANYTHING BELOW!

== '''Wiki Editing Game'''!!! Log in (FHF username & p'word), click 'Edit' and add your name to the bottom of the list! ==

== YES!!! I too have edited the wiki and am a wiki virgin no longer!! ==

*Sparrow-Sabine

[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]

That's using the 'insert image button, but you have to upload a pic first!
(use code like this <tt><nowiki>[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]</nowiki></tt>

It is also possible to do stuff to the images... (like resizing) (note image in the centre is a smaller version of 100px)

[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]

This uses code like this <tt><nowiki>[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]</nowiki></tt>

See the following link for more details on images [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Images Help With images on MediaWiki]

<gallery>
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|Hey, I like
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg| making a gallery.
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|This is cool!
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
</gallery>

Teehee!!! :o)))))

You will also want to link to other pages... this is done by surrounding the text to link with 2 sets of square braces like this...

<tt><nowiki>[[Text to link]]</nowiki></tt>

So if I want to add a link to [[Cleaning Beads]] I just add the brackets around it... it's that simple.

== Questions ==

Dickie, why didn't we get a wiki with WYSIWYG? :o)

Because it wouldn't have been a Wiki!! Wikis Use Wikitext !!
To be honest WYSIWYG is overrated, as it generally screws things up with no easy way to fix it, and you forever have to go back and edit the html to correct things. Wikitext is not ''that'' difficult to learn, and once you get the hang of it think how much use you will be to the '''''Wikis at large'''''...
I also thought that using the same software that runs Wikipedia would be
* More secure.
* More stable.
* Scalable.
* Easier for people to use who know about Wikis
* Not to difficult to learn
* Not something new to learn
* A known quantity.
It just seemed to make sense, sorry

Awww, okay then :o) I like the idea of 'building capacity' for the wikis at large, *gg*

[[Category:Testing]]

Sandpit

2008-11-12T09:16:55Z

Sparrow:

Use this page if you're not sure how to edit a wiki but want to have a play. Log into the wiki using your FHF user name and password, then come back to this page and click on 'edit' at the top to play around. Use the menu on the left to upload files (e.g. a picture), but if you think you want to do this half way through editing a page, save it first, then come back to it - I just fell into that trap!
Don't forget to click 'Save Page' at the bottom once you're done, so you can admire your handywork!

PLEASE LEAVE THE TEXT ABOVE, BUT FEEL FREE TO CHANGE ANYTHING BELOW!

== Wiki Editing Game!!! Log in (FHF username & p'word), click 'Edit' and add your name to the bottom of the list! ==

== YES!!! I too have edited the wiki and am a wiki virgin no longer!! ==

*Sparrow-Sabine

[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]

That's using the 'insert image button, but you have to upload a pic first!
(use code like this <tt><nowiki>[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]</nowiki></tt>

It is also possible to do stuff to the images... (like resizing) (note image in the centre is a smaller version of 100px)

[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]

This uses code like this <tt><nowiki>[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]</nowiki></tt>

See the following link for more details on images [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Images Help With images on MediaWiki]

<gallery>
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|Hey, I like
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg| making a gallery.
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|This is cool!
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
</gallery>

Teehee!!! :o)))))

You will also want to link to other pages... this is done by surrounding the text to link with 2 sets of square braces like this...

<tt><nowiki>[[Text to link]]</nowiki></tt>

So if I want to add a link to [[Cleaning Beads]] I just add the brackets around it... it's that simple.

== Questions ==

Dickie, why didn't we get a wiki with WYSIWYG? :o)

Because it wouldn't have been a Wiki!! Wikis Use Wikitext !!
To be honest WYSIWYG is overrated, as it generally screws things up with no easy way to fix it, and you forever have to go back and edit the html to correct things. Wikitext is not ''that'' difficult to learn, and once you get the hang of it think how much use you will be to the '''''Wikis at large'''''...
I also thought that using the same software that runs Wikipedia would be
* More secure.
* More stable.
* Scalable.
* Easier for people to use who know about Wikis
* Not to difficult to learn
* Not something new to learn
* A known quantity.
It just seemed to make sense, sorry

Awww, okay then :o) I like the idea of 'building capacity' for the wikis at large, *gg*

[[Category:Testing]]

Sandpit

2008-11-12T09:14:32Z

Sparrow:

Use this page if you're not sure how to edit a wiki but want to have a play. Log into the wiki using your FHF user name and password, then come back to this page and click on 'edit' at the top to play around. Use the menu on the left to upload files (e.g. a picture), but if you think you want to do this half way through editing a page, save it first, then come back to it - I just fell into that trap!
Don't forget to click 'Save Page' at the bottom once you're done, so you can admire your handywork!

PLEASE LEAVE THE TEXT ABOVE, BUT FEEL FREE TO CHANGE ANYTHING BELOW!

== This is what happens when you click the button with the big 'A' in it ==

== Wiki Editing Game!!! Log in (FHF username & p'word), click 'Edit' and add your name to the bottom of the list! ==

== YES!!! I too have edited the wiki and am a wiki virgin no longer!! ==

*Sparrow-Sabine

[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]

That's using the 'insert image button, but you have to upload a pic first!
(use code like this <tt><nowiki>[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]</nowiki></tt>

It is also possible to do stuff to the images... (like resizing) (note image in the centre is a smaller version of 100px)

[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]

This uses code like this <tt><nowiki>[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]</nowiki></tt>

See the following link for more details on images [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Images Help With images on MediaWiki]

<gallery>
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|Hey, I like
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg| making a gallery.
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|This is cool!
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
</gallery>

Teehee!!! :o)))))

You will also want to link to other pages... this is done by surrounding the text to link with 2 sets of square braces like this...

<tt><nowiki>[[Text to link]]</nowiki></tt>

So if I want to add a link to [[Cleaning Beads]] I just add the brackets around it... it's that simple.

== Questions ==

Dickie, why didn't we get a wiki with WYSIWYG? :o)

Because it wouldn't have been a Wiki!! Wikis Use Wikitext !!
To be honest WYSIWYG is overrated, as it generally screws things up with no easy way to fix it, and you forever have to go back and edit the html to correct things. Wikitext is not ''that'' difficult to learn, and once you get the hang of it think how much use you will be to the '''''Wikis at large'''''...
I also thought that using the same software that runs Wikipedia would be
* More secure.
* More stable.
* Scalable.
* Easier for people to use who know about Wikis
* Not to difficult to learn
* Not something new to learn
* A known quantity.
It just seemed to make sense, sorry

Awww, okay then :o) I like the idea of 'building capacity' for the wikis at large, *gg*

[[Category:Testing]]

Sandpit

2008-11-12T09:04:18Z

Sparrow:

Use this page if you're not sure how to edit a wiki but want to have a play. Log into the wiki using your FHF user name and password, then come back to this page and click on 'edit' at the top to play around. Use the menu on the left to upload files (e.g. a picture), but if you think you want to do this half way through editing a page, save it first, then come back to it - I just fell into that trap!
Don't forget to click 'Save Page' at the bottom once you're done, so you can admire your handywork!

PLEASE LEAVE THE TEXT ABOVE, BUT FEEL FREE TO CHANGE ANYTHING BELOW!

== This is what happens when you click the button with the big 'A' in it ==

== Wiki Editing Tag!!! ==

== MESSAGE FOR LUSH JULIE - log in, click Edit, and change the name to somebody else, then PM that somebody to tell them to change it to somebody else, etc. Add your name to the bottom of the list. (Don't forget to hit save at the bottom!)==

== YES!!! I too have edited the wiki and am a wiki virgin no longer!! ==

*Sparrow-Sabine

[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]

That's using the 'insert image button, but you have to upload a pic first!
(use code like this <tt><nowiki>[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]</nowiki></tt>

It is also possible to do stuff to the images... (like resizing) (note image in the centre is a smaller version of 100px)

[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]

This uses code like this <tt><nowiki>[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]</nowiki></tt>

See the following link for more details on images [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Images Help With images on MediaWiki]

<gallery>
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|Hey, I like
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg| making a gallery.
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|This is cool!
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
</gallery>

Teehee!!! :o)))))

You will also want to link to other pages... this is done by surrounding the text to link with 2 sets of square braces like this...

<tt><nowiki>[[Text to link]]</nowiki></tt>

So if I want to add a link to [[Cleaning Beads]] I just add the brackets around it... it's that simple.

== Questions ==

Dickie, why didn't we get a wiki with WYSIWYG? :o)

Because it wouldn't have been a Wiki!! Wikis Use Wikitext !!
To be honest WYSIWYG is overrated, as it generally screws things up with no easy way to fix it, and you forever have to go back and edit the html to correct things. Wikitext is not ''that'' difficult to learn, and once you get the hang of it think how much use you will be to the '''''Wikis at large'''''...
I also thought that using the same software that runs Wikipedia would be
* More secure.
* More stable.
* Scalable.
* Easier for people to use who know about Wikis
* Not to difficult to learn
* Not something new to learn
* A known quantity.
It just seemed to make sense, sorry

Awww, okay then :o) I like the idea of 'building capacity' for the wikis at large, *gg*

[[Category:Testing]]

Sandpit

2008-11-12T09:02:58Z

Sparrow:

Use this page if you're not sure how to edit a wiki but want to have a play. Log into the wiki using your FHF user name and password, then come back to this page and click on 'edit' at the top to play around. Use the menu on the left to upload files (e.g. a picture), but if you think you want to do this half way through editing a page, save it first, then come back to it - I just fell into that trap!
Don't forget to click 'Save Page' at the bottom once you're done, so you can admire your handywork!

PLEASE LEAVE THE TEXT ABOVE, BUT FEEL FREE TO CHANGE ANYTHING BELOW!

== This is what happens when you click the button with the big 'A' in it ==

== Wiki Editing Tag!!! ==

== MESSAGE FOR LUSH JULIE - log in, click Edit, and change the name to somebody else, then PM that somebody to tell them to change it to somebody else, etc. Add your name to the bottom of the list. (Don't forget to hit save at the bottom!)==

== YES!!! I too have edited the wiki and am a wiki virgin no longer!! ==

Sparrow-Sabine

[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]

That's using the 'insert image button, but you have to upload a pic first!
(use code like this <tt><nowiki>[[Image:NZ-blog5.jpg]]</nowiki></tt>

It is also possible to do stuff to the images... (like resizing) (note image in the centre is a smaller version of 100px)

[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]

This uses code like this <tt><nowiki>[[image:NZ-blog5.jpg|center|thumb|100px|Shells]]</nowiki></tt>

See the following link for more details on images [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Images Help With images on MediaWiki]

<gallery>
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|Hey, I like
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg| making a gallery.
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg|This is cool!
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
Image:NZ-blog5.jpg
</gallery>

Teehee!!! :o)))))

You will also want to link to other pages... this is done by surrounding the text to link with 2 sets of square braces like this...

<tt><nowiki>[[Text to link]]</nowiki></tt>

So if I want to add a link to [[Cleaning Beads]] I just add the brackets around it... it's that simple.

== Questions ==

Dickie, why didn't we get a wiki with WYSIWYG? :o)

Because it wouldn't have been a Wiki!! Wikis Use Wikitext !!
To be honest WYSIWYG is overrated, as it generally screws things up with no easy way to fix it, and you forever have to go back and edit the html to correct things. Wikitext is not ''that'' difficult to learn, and once you get the hang of it think how much use you will be to the '''''Wikis at large'''''...
I also thought that using the same software that runs Wikipedia would be
* More secure.
* More stable.
* Scalable.
* Easier for people to use who know about Wikis
* Not to difficult to learn
* Not something new to learn
* A known quantity.
It just seemed to make sense, sorry

Awww, okay then :o) I like the idea of 'building capacity' for the wikis at large, *gg*

[[Category:Testing]]

Fritipedia

2008-11-11T11:05:32Z

Sparrow:

Click here to return back to [http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/ Frit Happens! Forum]

== Introduction ==
Welcome to the Frit Happens! wiki... Otherwise known as '''{{SITENAME}}'''.
We hope you find it useful informative and fun.

== Frit Happens! ==
...Does it? We hope not, and with the help of {{SITENAME}} you will hopefully be better informed

== More Information and Getting Started==
Consult the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_edit How to Edit] for information on how to edit pages.

== Sandpit ==

There's a [[Sandpit]] for those not sure how to play with/edit a wiki. Go there and have a go if you want to have a play, but are scared you might mess up the wiki ;o) (you can't, anything can be undone!)

Cleaning beads

2008-11-11T10:57:01Z

Sparrow:

Once you get your beads out of the kiln begins the tedious process of cleaning - nobody enjoys it. Remember the bead release can be dangerous for your lungs (because of the tiny particles), so remove your beads from mandrels under water (the beads, not you!), outside, etc.

== Stuck on the mandrel? ==

If your beads are stuck on the mandrel, don't panic. Put them in a glass of water (or a fizzy drink) to soak them, and try not to get too impatient with them. Leave them overnight. What type of bead release you have will influence how good a grip your bead has on the mandrel. You can also try using a pair of pliers to hold the mandrel, slowly twisting the bead off.

== What tools to clean with? ==

Some people use a rotary tool (e.g. a Dremel or similar) to clean beads, others use a simple hand-held bead reamer. Whatever your choice, check that the tip of your tool fits the purpose, i.e. is thin enough to reach through the bead, and thick enough to withstand a good bit of scraping on your part. Just like when removing your beads, check for proper ventilation and safety.

== Special cases ==

Some beads are more difficult to clean than others - hollows are one such example. Several suggestions for cleaning these include:

*clean dry by poking out the bead release, then use a reamer on the ends;
*fill with water to soften bead release, then poke out bead release, clean bead, and blow water out;
*plonk them in the dishwasher.

== They won't come off!!! ==

If your beads really, really won't come off, think of alternative uses - colourful flowerpot-sticks, anybody? :o)

[[Category:Techniques]]

Cleaning beads

2008-11-11T10:56:41Z

Sparrow:

Once you get your beads out of the kiln begins the tedious process of cleaning - nobody enjoys it. Remember the bead release can be dangerous for your lungs (because of the tiny particles), so remove your beads from mandrels under water (the beads, not you!), outside, etc.

== Stuck on the mandrel? ==

If your beads are stuck on the mandrel, don't panic. Put them in a glass of water (or a fizzy drink) to soak them, and try not to get too impatient with them. Leave them overnight. What type of bead release you have will influence how good a grip your bead has on the mandrel. You can also try using a pair of pliers to hold the mandrel, slowly twisting the bead off.

== What tools to clean with? ==

Some people use a rotary tool (e.g. a Dremel or similar) to clean beads, others use a simple hand-held bead reamer. Whatever your choice, check that the tip of your tool fits the purpose, i.e. is thin enough to reach through the bead, and thick enough to withstand a good bit of scraping on your part. Just like when removing your beads, check for proper ventilation and safety.

== Special cases ==

Some beads are more difficult to clean than others - hollows are one such example. Several suggestions for cleaning these include:

**clean dry by poking out the bead release, then use a reamer on the ends;
**fill with water to soften bead release, then poke out bead release, clean bead, and blow water out;
**plonk them in the dishwasher.

== They won't come off!!! ==

If your beads really, really won't come off, think of alternative uses - colourful flowerpot-sticks, anybody? :o)

[[Category:Techniques]]

Sandpit

2008-11-11T10:25:26Z

Sparrow:

Sandpit

2008-11-11T10:24:27Z

Sparrow:

Sandpit

2008-11-11T10:24:10Z

Sparrow:

Sandpit

2008-11-11T10:23:05Z

Sparrow:

Sandpit

2008-11-11T10:22:37Z

Sparrow:

Sandpit

2008-11-11T10:16:38Z

Sparrow:

Sandpit

2008-11-11T09:13:34Z

Sparrow:

Sandpit

2008-11-11T08:53:09Z

Sparrow:

File:NZ-blog5.jpg

2008-11-11T08:52:36Z

Sparrow:

Sandpit

2008-11-11T08:50:11Z

Sparrow:

Fritipedia

2008-11-11T08:47:56Z

Sparrow:

Sandpit

2008-11-11T08:46:58Z

Sparrow: New page: Use this page if you're not sure how to edit a wiki but want to have a play. Log into the wiki using your FHF user name and password, then come back to this page and click on 'edit' at the...

File:Racquel.jpg

2008-11-11T08:42:58Z

Sparrow:

Shards

2008-11-11T08:28:43Z

Sparrow:

== Using Shards ==

Needs text

== Blowing Shards ==

Below is a guide from Becky Fairclough of [http://www.chameleondesigns.co.uk Chameleon Designs]:

You will need -

- Hollow mandrel (stainless steel pipe will do fine) do NOT dip in release
- glass of your choice
- torch (hopefully that is obvious !!)

Gently heat the end of the pipe and start to add glass to it, building up the glass on the end of the pipe - you do not need to make a collar around the pipe you can just build the glass off the end.

Once you have a good sized gather - start small and get used to it !! A gather the size of a malteaser is good to start with - get it evenly hot in the flame, keep rotating it evenly and get it hot, the glass needs to be moving about but not in an out of control way !

This is time to blow.

KEEP TURNING or it will just blow out of one side. Ok, now the easiest way to do this is to blow hard into the tube and cap the end of the tube with your thumb but this does take some practice ...so try blowing hard into the tube and blocking the end of the tube with your tongue ..all you you are trying to do is stop the air coming out - physics hot air expands so if you can get air in there, it heats and expands doing the work for you !! The other option is you blow hard and steadily and do the work yourself, this takes a surprising amount of puff so I would try and master the capping the end of the pipe technique !

Once you see the sides start to grow STOP blowing / uncap the end of the tube, take thumb / tounge whatever off and now BLOW GENTLY to inflate the bubble to the size you want, for shards a malteaser size bubble will go to roughly the size of a large egg and give a nice thickness, obviously everyone has their own prefs re thickness so you will need to do some experimenting here to get it how you like it !

Cool the glass round the neck of the pipe with a brass tool or other cold tool and the tap the pipe, the "egg" will drop off the pipe... best to aim to land it on some vermiculite or something heat proof !!

Let the "egg" cool a bit, and then you can smash it. I put mine inside a bowl or bag and tap them with my graphite hand marver or whatever else is to hand... i avoid squashing them with my hands as shards have very sharp edges / points when they break.

The main things to remember are the heat needs to be even to give even wall thickness, and you need to KEEP TURNING the pipe all the time !!

You can also blow perfume bottles etc this way ..all just practice !

Shards

2008-11-11T08:24:11Z

Sparrow:

== Using Shards ==

Needs text

== Blowing Shards ==

Below is a guide from Becky Fairclough of [http://www.chameleondesigns.co.uk Chameleon Designs]:

You will need -

- Hollow mandrel (stainless steel pipe will do fine) do NOT dip in release
- glass of your choice
- torch (hopefully that is obvious !!)

Gently heat the end of the pipe and start to add glass to it, building up the glass on the end of the pipe - you do not need to make a collar around the pipe you can just build the glass off the end.

Once you have a good sized gather - start small and get used to it !! a gather the size of a malteaser is good to start with - get it evenly hot in the flame, keep rotating it evenly and get it hot, the glass needs to be moving about but not in an out of control way !

This is time to blow.

KEEP TURNING or it will just blow out of one side. ok now the easiest way to do this is to blow hard into the tube and cap the end of the tube with your thumb but this does take some practise ...so try blowing hard into the tube and blocking the end of the tube with your tonge ..all you you are trying to do is stop the air coming out - physics hot air expands so if you can get air in there, it heats and expands doing the work for you !! the other option is you blow hard and steadily and do the work yourself, this takes a surprising amount of puff so i would try and master the capping the end of the pipe technique !

Once you see the sides start to grow STOP blowing / uncap the end of the tube, take thumb / tounge whatever off and now BLOW GENTLY to inflate the bubble to the size you want, for shards a malteaser size bubble will go to roughly the size of a large egg and give a nice thickness, obviously everyone has their own prefs re thickness so you will need to do some experimenting here to get it how you like it !

Cool the glass round the neck of the pipe with a brass tool or other cold tool and the tap the pipe, the "egg" will drop off the pipe... best to aim to land it on some vermiculite or something heat proof !!

Let the "egg" cool a bit, and then you can smash it. I put mine inside a bowl or bag and tap them with my graphite hand marver or whatever else is to hand... i avoid squashing them with my hands as shards have very sharp edges / points when they break.

The main things to remember are the heat needs to be even to give even wall thickness, and you need to KEEP TURNING the pipe all the time !!

You can also blow perfume bottles etc this way ..all just practice !

Shards

2008-11-11T08:22:51Z

Sparrow: New page: == Using Shards == Needs text == Blowing Shards == Below is a guide from Becky Fairclough of Chameleon Designs: You will need - - Hollow mandrel (stainless steel pipe will do fine) ...

== Using Shards ==

Needs text

== Blowing Shards ==

Below is a guide from Becky Fairclough of Chameleon Designs:

You will need -

- Hollow mandrel (stainless steel pipe will do fine) do NOT dip in release
- glass of your choice
- torch (hopefully that is obvious !!)

Gently heat the end of the pipe and start to add glass to it, building up the glass on the end of the pipe - you do not need to make a collar around the pipe you can just build the glass off the end.

Once you have a good sized gather - start small and get used to it !! a gather the size of a malteaser is good to start with - get it evenly hot in the flame, keep rotating it evenly and get it hot, the glass needs to be moving about but not in an out of control way !

This is time to blow.

KEEP TURNING or it will just blow out of one side. ok now the easiest way to do this is to blow hard into the tube and cap the end of the tube with your thumb but this does take some practise ...so try blowing hard into the tube and blocking the end of the tube with your tonge ..all you you are trying to do is stop the air coming out - physics hot air expands so if you can get air in there, it heats and expands doing the work for you !! the other option is you blow hard and steadily and do the work yourself, this takes a surprising amount of puff so i would try and master the capping the end of the pipe technique !

Once you see the sides start to grow STOP blowing / uncap the end of the tube, take thumb / tounge whatever off and now BLOW GENTLY to inflate the bubble to the size you want, for shards a malteaser size bubble will go to roughly the size of a large egg and give a nice thickness, obviously everyone has their own prefs re thickness so you will need to do some experimenting here to get it how you like it !

Cool the glass round the neck of the pipe with a brass tool or other cold tool and the tap the pipe, the "egg" will drop off the pipe... best to aim to land it on some vermiculite or something heat proof !!

Let the "egg" cool a bit, and then you can smash it. I put mine inside a bowl or bag and tap them with my graphite hand marver or whatever else is to hand... i avoid squashing them with my hands as shards have very sharp edges / points when they break.

The main things to remember are the heat needs to be even to give even wall thickness, and you need to KEEP TURNING the pipe all the time !!

You can also blow perfume bottles etc this way ..all just practice !

Talk:Cleaning beads

2008-11-11T08:15:59Z

Sparrow: New page: This page could do with a link to a new page on bead release, explaining the different types and what they're good for?

This page could do with a link to a new page on bead release, explaining the different types and what they're good for?

Cleaning beads

2008-11-11T08:13:08Z

Sparrow: New page: Once you get your beads out of the kiln begins the tedious process of cleaning - nobody enjoys it. Remember the bead release can be dangerous for your lungs (because of the tiny particles)...

Once you get your beads out of the kiln begins the tedious process of cleaning - nobody enjoys it. Remember the bead release can be dangerous for your lungs (because of the tiny particles), so remove your beads from mandrels under water (the beads, not you!), outside, etc.

== Stuck on the mandrel? ==

If your beads are stuck on the mandrel, don't panic. Put them in a glass of water (or a fizzy drink) to soak them, and try not to get too impatient with them. Leave them overnight. What type of bead release you have will influence how good a grip your bead has on the mandrel. You can also try using a pair of pliers to hold the mandrel, slowly twisting the bead off.

== What tools to clean with? ==

Some people use a rotary tool (e.g. a Dremel or similar) to clean beads, others use a simple hand-held bead reamer. Whatever your choice, check that the tip of your tool fits the purpose, i.e. is thin enough to reach through the bead, and thick enough to withstand a good bit of scraping on your part. Just like when removing your beads, check for proper ventilation and safety.

== Special cases ==

Some beads are more difficult to clean than others - hollows are one such example. Several suggestions for cleaning these include:

- clean dry by poking out the bead release, then use a reamer on the ends;
- fill with water to soften bead release, then poke out bead release, clean bead, and blow water out;
- plonk them in the dishwasher.

== They won't come off!!! ==

If your beads really, really won't come off, think of alternative uses - colourful flowerpot-sticks, anybody? :o)

Talk:Annealing

2008-11-11T07:28:03Z

Sparrow:

Great stuff - I'm not an annealing guru, but whoever tackles this, as part of a quickie FAQ at the bottom or something: just *when* is it safe to snatch beads out of the kiln when it's cooling down - for us impatient ones? :o) (Sabine)

Talk:Annealing

2008-11-11T07:27:48Z

Sparrow: New page: Great stuff - I'm not an annealing guru, but whoever tackles this, as part of a quickie FAQ at the bottom or something: just *when* is it safe to snatch beads out of the kiln when it's coo...