Everytime i use clear glass, weather it is to encase or make a bead, it cracks >:(. I don't know what i am doing wrong ???, I'm cooling it down slowly in the flame and flame annealling it but just can't seem to stop them cracking both in the flame and in vermiculite.
what does the crack look like? does it run from hole to hole ore does it look like crackle glaze...
because it's clear, you can't see the 'glow' for as long as some others/ I suspect you're letting it cool far too much. Plus, flame annealing is a bit - uurm - hit and miss?
f not that - is it a compatability issue?
What kind of glass are you using - 'clear' and 'not clear'?
Kirsty
It definately sounds as though you are cooling too much :(
Thanks everyone, sorry not replied sooner i'm away at the minute and can only get a conection on my laptop now and again ::).
The crack runs from hole to hole, i'm not sure about the 'clear' and 'not clear' thing. I'm a newbie ;D all i know is i ordered clear from tuffnells if thats any help??
I'll try keep it hot when i get home and see if it works ;D, thanks again
Jo
Yep - sounds like a thermal crack, try not letting it get quite so cold!
I agree with Trudi.
Personally when I have that problem it's because I've spent too much time waving it about and not kept warm in the flame. (or as with some of my chickens I spent too much time on the detail and didn't keep the bodies warm.) They were saying at the flame off that there is a 15 second rule. ie it should be in the flame at least once every 15 seconds. I used to put my beads in a blanket before I got the kiln and to try and get less cracking I used to cool the bead for a bit in the very tip of the flame before tucking them in.
HTH
clear is tricky because you can't see the glow
Take the warm glass out of the flame and move it below the bench you are working on and the contrast of darkness/shadow against the glass will highlight the "glow". Should all be one colour like an orangey type.
Ian