Hi everyone,
I have two bespoke beads that were made for me and I am totally in love with the colours of the glass that the artist used.
Please, could anyone tell me what they (think) it might be or is?? Its a gorgeous neon/electric pinky purple, that is really light reactive. I would dearly love to be able to make some of my own beads using this colour!
Many thanks if anyone can help me! Picture below!
Rach
:)
(http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii90/Fruddster/IMGP6077.jpg)
silver glass, if you spend some time having a good look around on here you will find lots of this valuable info for yourself ;)
I was just going to say the same thing - it looks like Double Helix of some sort, why not get those rods out and have a good play? :)
Yes, have a play. I bet you come up with some wonderful colour combinations :)
You might also want to have a look at some of the silver glass technique threads. There are also loads of tutorials out there. It can take a while to get some of these to happen for you, so don't be afraid to PPP.
You might want to spend some time perfecting shaping, working with your flame, learning some surface decoration technques etc with some slightly cheaper glasses first though.
Quote from: Tan on September 16, 2010, 12:31:21 PM
silver glass, if you spend some time having a good look around on here you will find lots of this valuable info for yourself ;)
Thanks Tan - I thought that it might be one of the silver glasses - I have yet to see a rod of something less expensive in this sort of a colour!
I have some Double Helix coming on order at the weekend, so will have a bit of a mess about and see if I can come up with something like!
Fruddy, you do realise that it won't be this colour in the rod don't you?
For a cheaper alternative with pleasing results why not try Dark multi first (Rich).
Quote from: Fruddy on September 16, 2010, 01:06:42 PM
I have some Double Helix coming on order at the weekend, so will have a bit of a mess about and see if I can come up with something like!
Just posted this in another thread, but you might find this useful as well, if you're having a play over the weekend. And, to use your glass sparingly, make a core bead with really cheap glass, like effetre clear, then encase thinly with your silver glass ;)
http://www.doublehelixglassworks.com/DH_guides_striking.pdf
You could ask the person who made the beads what she used :)
Actually that is a very good point Julie
Quote from: mizgeorge on September 16, 2010, 01:07:37 PM
Fruddy, you do realise that it won't be this colour in the rod don't you?
Oh yeah I do.... that's what made me think that it was one of the silver glasses - I have never seen a rod of glass that colour! :D
Quote from: Lush! on September 16, 2010, 01:43:03 PM
You could ask the person who made the beads what she used :)
I don't like to, to be honest! I have already picked her brains as much as I feel comfortable with - she has been so patient and I don't want to make a nuisance of myself - or on here!
I will do as you have all advised and have a little play with the stuff when it arrives - I have only bought a rod of each, so will do some experimenting. My problem at the moment is that although I grasp the basics of striking and reducing, I don't seem to be getting the effects that I see with other beads - I'm not sure whether that is because I am trying too hard, or because I am turning up my propane too much, or because I am not keeping the bead in the flame long enough, or for too long..... what I need to do is just calm down and keep trying until I find my own level of how to do things, and stop pestering you lovely lot for a quick fix!!!
Thanks to all who have given advice - it is, as usual, very much appreciated!
;D
It may be because you are trying to do everything too quickly ;D
Kazx
Fruddy, rather than posting lots of questions, take a good amount of time to really trawl this forum, all the answers are already on here to the questions you have posed already as well as a whole wealth of tips, tricks, techniques not to mention some really great tutorials for a new beginner like yourself.
Have you purchased any books or dvd's yet? These too are very good sources of information and I believe we have a section here.....ahem..somewhere....where people have posted reviews on books and I can see many people have vouched for the quality of sal's dvds already.
Quote from: Kaz on September 16, 2010, 05:47:43 PM
It may be because you are trying to do everything too quickly ;D
Kazx
That is exactly what I'm doing. Far far too quickly. I'm just so excited about everything - I want to do it all NOW!
I am the least patient person on the planet. Its one of my many failings. But, having experimented with all that I have in my possession glass-wise now, I will be going back to total basics and will do most of my experimenting in the studio.
Um, looks like Aurae to me. I get these colours out of it. Lightly reduce. Don't over reduce or you'll get murk.....
(http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adam.carver1/spine.jpg)
Quote from: Tan on September 16, 2010, 05:53:15 PM
Fruddy, rather than posting lots of questions, take a good amount of time to really trawl this forum, all the answers are already on here to the questions you have posed already as well as a whole wealth of tips, tricks, techniques not to mention some really great tutorials for a new beginner like yourself.
Have you purchased any books or dvd's yet? These too are very good sources of information and I believe we have a section here.....ahem..somewhere....where people have posted reviews on books and I can see many people have vouched for the quality of sal's dvds already.
Tan,I'm really sorry. I honestly don't want to be a pain and before I bought my lampworking kit I did spend a lot of time trawling FHF to get as much info under my belt as I could - I have read all the silver glass information and the tutorials and have gained some really invaluable knowledge -in fact -had it not been for this forum, I would have probably started with a hothead - not that there is anything wrong with that at all, but I absorbed all the knowledge of all the torch and setup options, decided what I could afford and what I wanted to do on the budget that I had available and went straight to that.
I have read Passing the Flame from cover to cover, Sabine very kindly lent me her copy for a month and I also have Cindy Jenkinsons How to make glass beads. I read everything I can.
I haven;t got any dvd's - can you recommend some?
I honestly didn't know where to look to find the electric purple colour of this silver glass - I thought that by posting it, I would get a quick answer - again my fault - what I should be doing is experimenting with the Double Helix set that I am hopefully going to get tomorrow, but I am an impatient person and should be concentrating on more of the basics at this time in beadmaking.
I am really sorry with all the questions.
I will do my very best to search the archives in future if I have a query and only post a question if I can't find the answer.
The last thing that I want to do is irritate anyone-I have the utmost respect for you all and do not want to make a nuisance of myself.
Rach
Quote from: Redhotsal on September 16, 2010, 09:31:30 PM
Um, looks like Aurae to me. I get these colours out of it. Lightly reduce. Don't over reduce or you'll get murk.....
(http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adam.carver1/spine.jpg)
See, that's the thing Sal.
You have said "lightly" reduce. I thought reducing was just turning my propane up - no matter how high or low. Is it just basically trial and error? What is classed as a "lightly reducing flame" and a "strongly reducing flame?"
with the silver colours everyone will get different results as there are so many factors to consider
torch environment
base glass
batch of silver glass
how long you reduce or strike
if you encase how hot you work
there really are so many variables - I've known people post exactly how they work a glass and still we all end up with something different!!! It really is PPP!
Silver glass is expensive - but for a newbie I'd say aurea, triton and perhaps clio are good ones to start with.
But there's nothing more satisfying when you find out what works for you.
Good luck!
Its not your flame Rach, its how much time you have it in the reduction flame for, just wafting it quickly once or twice through the top of the reduction flame would be "light" reduction and more wafts/holding it in the flame for a "heavy" reduction! i find most of them prefer "light" reduction, although i work on a hot head which is more naturally reducing anyway
Fruddy, I think you might benefit from getting a set of Sal's DVD's - http://www.lampworkbeads.co.uk/userimages/procart3.htm. There are also some great ebooks and tutes on etsy about silver glasses.
Then spend some time really getting to know your torch and play with glasses and reactions. It takes time to get a feel for all of this, and one of the reasons so many people do well starting with a hot head is that it slows you down and makes you think more about the basics before trying to run.
Really, don't waste your double helix yet. Play with some cheap stuff first - it's hugely disappointing when you spend that much on a rod of glass and turn it into poo on a stick when you try to use it.
Seriously - slow down. It will happen, but it won't happen all at once.
I have to agree - I do understand you want to do it all now, but there's no substitute for practice.
Sal is a great teacher and I think you'd benefit greatly from her DVD's - and you can watch them over and over.
Also google you tube to see videos!
Quote from: mizgeorge on September 16, 2010, 09:45:20 PM
Fruddy, I think you might benefit from getting a set of Sal's DVD's - http://www.lampworkbeads.co.uk/userimages/procart3.htm. There are also some great ebooks and tutes on etsy about silver glasses.
Then spend some time really getting to know your torch and play with glasses and reactions. It takes time to get a feel for all of this, and one of the reasons so many people do well starting with a hot head is that it slows you down and makes you think more about the basics before trying to run.
Really, don't waste your double helix yet. Play with some cheap stuff first - it's hugely disappointing when you spend that much on a rod of glass and turn it into poo on a stick when you try to use it.
Seriously - slow down. It will happen, but it won't happen all at once.
I think it's fair to say that even some of us that have been doing this for a while still get poop on a stick with double helix at times - and it's expensive stuff to want to waste too much, too!
I spent a year on a Hothead and it was at least a couple of months, if not more, before I dared touch the silver glasses. I don't regret a moment of it, glass does take time to get to grips with and a "zen" attitude that allows plenty of room for experimentation without immediately magnificent result will definitely benefit you in the longer run. Enjoy the journey, don't rush to the goal :)
Hehe - she's just too keen! ::) Can't slow won't slow!
Well, bead making is a bit like cooking. Reducing is like toasting bread - by the time you've overreduced it it's gone damn ugly (or black in the case of toast).
If you get lots of lustry shiny stuff - you've lightly reduced it. If you get cloudy blotchy (and generally) snot green patches you've over reduced it. While you can often reverse light reduction (by adding lots of oxygen) you can't generally get rid of the snot green.
Have to sort of echo what the others have said though - DH can be quite expensive glass as compared to the standard stuff so use it in small amounts - pull stringer rather than using it to make a whole bead. And, yeah, just take your time with it. Actually, take your time with it all. It's more fun that way.
I've done loads of DVDs - which cover pretty much everything I'd teach on beginners and intermediate course (all together) - you can get all four for the bargain price of £63 - but you'd have to put up with me droning on for hours. It might benefit you to save up some dosh and go and have a lesson. While it certainly is possible to teach yourself many techniques - and there are a lot of great bead makers on here who are self taught, and never had a lesson - taking a lesson with an experienced teacher will certainly get you to a point in your beadmaking quicker - without you making lots of common "mistakes". After that - it's just practise.
I can highly recommend Sal as a teacher, she is patient, intuitive and has a sense of humour too! Di East is also a wonderful option, and if you are lucky you may manage a joint lesson with both of them. Its all very well knowing the theory from reading everything you can lay your hands on, but nothing beats a good intro lesson to give you a sound grounding in lampworking and safety. Its truely an investment in your future and you will benefit more from a day with a good teacher than you will from a handfull of DH glass and a big bag of frit...
In the meantime, Sals DVDs will be something you can come back to again and again, and if, like me recently, you need to take a break from the torch they are great reminders of the skills you once had... ;)
Quote from: beadysam on September 16, 2010, 10:36:13 PM
In the meantime, Sals DVDs will be something you can come back to again and again, and if, like me recently, you need to take a break from the torch they are great reminders of the skills you once had... ;)
heh - what nice people you all are!
Sam - opened a randomn box the other day and yet again was startled to see your boobies staring out at me! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Redhotsal on September 16, 2010, 10:39:50 PM
Quote from: beadysam on September 16, 2010, 10:36:13 PM
In the meantime, Sals DVDs will be something you can come back to again and again, and if, like me recently, you need to take a break from the torch they are great reminders of the skills you once had... ;)
heh - what nice people you all are!
Sam - opened a randomn box the other day and yet again was startled to see your boobies staring out at me! ;D ;D ;D ;D
They turn up all over the place... ;)
They get around. Actually your boobs deserve to be in a more "public" arena than kept in a box next to me undies drawer. So tomorrow I am promoting them to the "display shelf" (sounds glamorous, but it ain't) in the shed!
Quote from: Redhotsal on September 16, 2010, 10:02:06 PM
....
I've done loads of DVDs - which cover pretty much everything I'd teach on beginners and intermediate course (all together) - you can get all four for the bargain price of £63 - but you'd have to put up with me droning on for hours. It might benefit you to save up some dosh and go and have a lesson. While it certainly is possible to teach yourself many techniques - and there are a lot of great bead makers on here who are self taught, and never had a lesson - taking a lesson with an experienced teacher will certainly get you to a point in your beadmaking quicker - without you making lots of common "mistakes". After that - it's just practise.
I can also highly recommend Sal's DVDs. I had been beadmaking for quite a while when I bought them and I learned loads from them. I return to them every now and then too. But you do need to put lots of torching hours/days/months or even years in too, as some things you can only learn by doing and feeling. Lessons are fab if you can afford them - if I could sell my soul on ebay for a few lessons I think I would!
xx
I wish I could afford the odd lesson here and there .... meh.... lol
Er Les, I think you should be giving lessons, not taking them ???
Quote from: Kaz on September 17, 2010, 09:34:09 PM
Er Les, I think you should be giving lessons, not taking them ???
I was going to say that ;D ;D
nah, lol
Quote from: lampworklover on September 17, 2010, 11:20:21 PM
Quote from: Kaz on September 17, 2010, 09:34:09 PM
Er Les, I think you should be giving lessons, not taking them ???
I was going to say that ;D ;D
my thoughts too ;D
I did once think about teaching ... but as time has gone on, I have gone off the idea... I'd be a crap teacher, lol ... and my 'studio' is a sh*t hole ;D
Quote from: Lesley Jane on September 18, 2010, 10:26:41 AM
I did once think about teaching ... but as time has gone on, I have gone off the idea... I'd be a crap teacher, lol ... and my 'studio' is a sh*t hole ;D
;D ;D
Quote from: Fruddy on September 16, 2010, 12:26:16 PM
Hi everyone,
I have two bespoke beads that were made for me and I am totally in love with the colours of the glass that the artist used.
Please, could anyone tell me what they (think) it might be or is?? Its a gorgeous neon/electric pinky purple, that is really light reactive. I would dearly love to be able to make some of my own beads using this colour!
Many thanks if anyone can help me! Picture below!
Rach
:)
(http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii90/Fruddster/IMGP6077.jpg)
You could have just asked me... sometimes it`s fun experimenting...
Quote from: Clare Scott on October 23, 2010, 05:05:12 PM
Quote from: Fruddy on September 16, 2010, 12:26:16 PM
Hi everyone,
I have two bespoke beads that were made for me and I am totally in love with the colours of the glass that the artist used.
Please, could anyone tell me what they (think) it might be or is?? Its a gorgeous neon/electric pinky purple, that is really light reactive. I would dearly love to be able to make some of my own beads using this colour!
Many thanks if anyone can help me! Picture below!
Rach
:)
(http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii90/Fruddster/IMGP6077.jpg)
You could have just asked me... sometimes it`s fun experimenting...
Didnt like to Clare, as I said in my earlier post - I had picked your brains enough and you had been more than helpful. Didn't want to be a nuisance. Experimenting is absolutely the way to go as you and others have said, and I have now managed to get the colour that I wanted by this method.
Thanks anyways.
Oooh great.... let`s see 'em!
I wondered if everything was ok your end, you went quiet all of a sudden.
Hope you`re still enjoying making your beads.
:)
Hi Fruddy - I know the feeling when you want to do it all and the beads you have shown you obviously have a talent for this - but there's nowt like a bit of experimenting - can be a bit expensive :( However - through experimenting I have got something like that colour using Reichenbach dark multi - I think it was on black, lightly reduced and capped with clear/very pale blue transparent. Bit of a surprise I must admit as its usually quite a dark purple.
Shelia
When I started I bought Sals DVDs and I watched them so much that I almost know them off by heart.
But what I did was watch them slowly and try out each project bead, it was so helpfull and even my husband started watching them until he realised that "Red Hot Sal" was not a saucy DVD :)
Quote from: beadysam on September 16, 2010, 10:36:13 PM
In the meantime, Sals DVDs will be something you can come back to again and again, and if, like me recently, you need to take a break from the torch they are great reminders of the skills you once had... ;)
I've just had a look at these after reading this post and now my Christmas list has got significantly bigger, don't think I can ask for 'Passing the flame' and all these DVD's (I couldn't possibly choose which ones so best have them all!), might be a bit greedy!!!!! Think some saving up will be needed, that is after spending current savings on torch, bead cube etc! Can I win the lottery please ::) :)