Frit-Happens !

Lampwork => COE 104 => Topic started by: Kalorlo on March 01, 2010, 07:52:05 PM

Title: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Kalorlo on March 01, 2010, 07:52:05 PM
Since they're going to be at the Flame Off, I was pondering getting a sample pack to pick up there. But I can find very little information about their glass (just complaints about their website!). I've got their catalogue, but as people know, no pics. I tried searching on here and found a link to this thread (http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52859) on LE, which at least has some pictures of a couple of the colours.

Questions:

1) If I were to get a sample pack, which COE? Is the 100 actually compatible with 104 glass? Or should I go for 93 as people say it's nicer to work? (I'm on a hothead).

2) Are there any colours that other ranges just don't have? What are they? The pearl white in that link looks lovely, but isn't CiM Cirrus also a milky opal white?

3) Anyone got piccies of beads they've made with it? Someone must, surely?  :D

4) Or should I just forget it and get more 104 colours?
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Lush! on March 01, 2010, 07:54:02 PM
I use their Diopal White all the time because its the best white to wrap silver wire round.
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Kalorlo on March 01, 2010, 08:27:58 PM
Thanks Julie! I assume you use it on its own with silver or SiS? I'll put that in me notes  ;D
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: garishglobes on March 01, 2010, 08:31:32 PM
Sooz sells a sample pack of both COE's on ebay - you could message her and ask for advice. I'm sure she used to sell single rods at one point so might be able to do something smaller too if you needed...
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Kalorlo on March 01, 2010, 08:46:25 PM
Aha, I have done so. I'd seen that she sold it, but hadn't thought of PMing her  ::)
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Hotglass28 on March 01, 2010, 09:01:43 PM

When I first started out I went with just 104 coe.  Then Bulleye, then Gaffer, then back to 104, then back to gaffer.  I'm all over the place but always keep em seperate.


I would go for just one coe, may I say the cheapest? as you are just starting out.  There are thousands of colours across the range, start small  ;D

There are no good or bad glass, you need to play an figure that one out for yourself.  Each plays differently.

How exciting!

Denise
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Hotglass28 on March 01, 2010, 09:03:50 PM

Also the higher the coe the better as you are on a hothead.

HTH
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: tuffnell glass on March 02, 2010, 07:46:20 AM
Hi ,

They always had some interesting pinks and violets if i remember rightly. For Hot Head use though the 104 coe is better as it melts quicker so you get more time to play .

Martin
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Lush! on March 02, 2010, 08:32:15 AM
Quote from: Kalorlo on March 01, 2010, 08:27:58 PM
Thanks Julie! I assume you use it on its own with silver or SiS? I'll put that in me notes  ;D

On its own.

It 'swallows' the SIS and prevents it spreading nicely  ;)
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: ♥♥Tan♥♥ on March 02, 2010, 10:18:17 AM
I really like P+T glass, I only really use it with itself so can;t comment much on compatability but the colours they do have are really very lovely, they do mixed kilos at a set price and ignore the huge postage that is on the website, if you speak to the lovely Denise she will set you straight on the real and much lower rates.

I use both COE's and have never had a problem, I like it because it is a little bit stiffer than effetre so it is great to play around with, if you phone up they will send you half rod sample packs in their colour to play with.

We should do a P+T show and tell on here that would get the sales going!
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: theflyingbedstead on March 02, 2010, 10:50:34 AM
QuoteWe should do a P+T show and tell on here that would get the sales going!

Great idea Tan! I have just bought some of their 93CoE and I plan to test it with Bullseye.  It is so much cheaper than Bullseye too. They also sell some coloured tubing and they were very helpful on the phone. I'll try to take some photos at the weekend...
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: ♥♥Tan♥♥ on March 02, 2010, 11:18:26 AM
I found them good to deal with too, and I was remembered which is always a nice thing. I have no idea who I spoke to the first time all those years ago but the last couple of times they have been pretty darn good.

I still want a website with piccies though, who is going to volunteer to go round and sort it for them :D
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Kalorlo on March 02, 2010, 11:33:23 AM
QuoteWe should do a P+T show and tell on here that would get the sales going!

I was hoping someone might do that!  ;)

I am getting increasingly tempted to get a sample pack, make spacers out of every colour and post pics of them all. So much mystery!
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: theflyingbedstead on March 02, 2010, 12:58:24 PM
I'd really like a guided tour round their factory too...
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Lush! on March 02, 2010, 12:59:24 PM
Quote from: theflyingbedstead on March 02, 2010, 12:58:24 PM
I'd really like a guided tour round their factory too...

Ooooh - you arrange it and I'll invite myself along!  What a fab idea  ;D
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Mand on March 02, 2010, 03:31:52 PM
Quote from: Tan on March 02, 2010, 11:18:26 AM
I still want a website with piccies though, ....:D

Me too! I have never ordered any P& T glass because I know so little about it, and the website is extremely offputting.  I like to see colours before I buy. ;)

BTW - what is "SIS"?
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Lush! on March 02, 2010, 03:38:03 PM
Silvered Ivory Stringer  ;D
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Mand on March 02, 2010, 03:45:11 PM
Oh  ::) :P doh!  Silly me  ;) :D
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Krysia@No98 on March 02, 2010, 04:51:42 PM
Quote from: Lush! on March 02, 2010, 12:59:24 PM
Quote from: theflyingbedstead on March 02, 2010, 12:58:24 PM
I'd really like a guided tour round their factory too...

Ooooh - you arrange it and I'll invite myself along!  What a fab idea  ;D

me too, me too, I'll be more then happy to help make up the numbers
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: bluefairy on March 02, 2010, 05:04:33 PM
Quote from: Krysia on March 02, 2010, 04:51:42 PM
Quote from: Lush! on March 02, 2010, 12:59:24 PM
Quote from: theflyingbedstead on March 02, 2010, 12:58:24 PM
I'd really like a guided tour round their factory too...

Ooooh - you arrange it and I'll invite myself along!  What a fab idea  ;D

me too, me too, I'll be more then happy to help make up the numbers

I'll bring the picnic hamper  ;D
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: ♥♥Tan♥♥ on March 02, 2010, 05:05:12 PM
I'll help you empty it ;)
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: theflyingbedstead on March 02, 2010, 06:04:46 PM
A picnic hamper full of glass...mmmmmmmmmm...
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: ♥♥Tan♥♥ on March 02, 2010, 06:13:13 PM
Oh, now THAT I would be happy with
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Krysia@No98 on March 02, 2010, 09:04:15 PM
I'm hoping to get a loverly big box like that in the next few days :)
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Kalorlo on March 18, 2010, 12:56:12 PM
Finally got round to emailing them about asking for a sample pack - yup, they'll bring one to the Flame Off for me to buy.  ;D

Barbara also says that she will be bringing some shorts and some of their own glass. Heads-up, anyone curious!
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Flyingcheesetoastie on March 18, 2010, 09:40:19 PM
I visited P & T today and got a lovely bundle of tubing to play with!  Had a bit of a tour round the warehouse too, kinda!  I love the smell of furnace glass batching!

I learnt beadmaking there 6 years ago so it was great to go back and check it out again.
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: theflyingbedstead on March 18, 2010, 09:58:39 PM

Glad you had a good day Rachel - I do envy you the guided tour!

Tubing.....mmmmm...P&T  very kindly sent me samples of their coloured soda tubing....I am hoping to pick up a few pointers at the Flame Off so I know what to do with it!
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Flyingcheesetoastie on March 18, 2010, 10:02:40 PM
You heat it up and do stufff to it!  i dunno what I'm gonna do with it either really but I know I can play with it with my HH so am gonna have a go!

It wasn't really a guided tour as much as a me now knowing what I wanted so asking to see what they had!
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: jazzylily on March 19, 2010, 11:51:29 AM
Hi

I use their glass all the time the 93 coe and it fits perfectly with Bullseye.  I teach using the P& T glass
and all my students love it.

My two cents worth!

Pauline
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Studio Girl on March 19, 2010, 01:44:48 PM
I use this glass from time to time and I love it the colours are superb
You have got me thinking now must go and have a play with it
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: theflyingbedstead on March 19, 2010, 03:04:27 PM
QuoteI use their glass all the time the 93 coe and it fits perfectly with Bullseye.  I teach using the P& T glass
and all my students love it.

That is reassuring to know Pauline. Is it SOOOO much cheaper than Bullseye too. I bought a kilo of clear rods for under a fiver plus VAT, so that is even cheaper than Vetrofond or Effetre.

I really must get some pics of the rods I have and uploaded to the wiki so that everyone can see the lovely colours.
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: ejralph on March 19, 2010, 04:46:29 PM
I must admit, I find it just bizarre that they still don't have their own colour chart up online on their website. ::)

I guess business must be very good for them  :D

Emma
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Soozintheshed on March 21, 2010, 03:18:07 PM
I taught at Higham Hall last weekend (Fab place - http://www.highamhall.com/)  and used 100 coe P&T, it's a great glass, holds the colour well. 

The Banana Yellow was boiling a bit, was fine for stringers though, the clear is lovely though.  The Caramel is gorgeous.

Here are a few beads I made with it at the class as samples/demos.

The blue is the neon blue, gorgeous colbalty colour..

(http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs016.snc3/12418_368931011999_39920306999_4180642_3580912_n.jpg)
(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs016.snc3/12418_368931021999_39920306999_4180643_1527957_n.jpg)
(http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs036.snc3/12418_368931046999_39920306999_4180644_7754971_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: ♥♥Tan♥♥ on March 21, 2010, 04:38:13 PM
Lush colours and you do good sample packs of Plowden glass as well don't you SOoz?
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Soozintheshed on March 21, 2010, 05:32:05 PM
I do indeed   ;D
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Kalorlo on March 21, 2010, 06:17:42 PM
Ooh, thanks for posting pics, Sooz!
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Hels4444 on March 21, 2010, 06:41:09 PM
Great pics Sooz and I did not realise you had sample packs will put it on my shopping list xx
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Flyingcheesetoastie on March 21, 2010, 07:01:48 PM
Ooooh a sample pack!  I swear if I get another sample pack my rod shelf will collapse!  i have to actually use some glass up first...
Title: Re: Plowden & Thompson glass?
Post by: Soozintheshed on March 21, 2010, 08:16:07 PM
Quote from: Flyingcheesetoastie on March 21, 2010, 07:01:48 PM
Ooooh a sample pack!  I swear if I get another sample pack my rod shelf will collapse!  i have to actually use some glass up first...

I keep saying that   ;D