Frit-Happens !

Lampwork => COE 104 => Topic started by: Fruddy on September 03, 2011, 10:55:01 AM

Title: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: Fruddy on September 03, 2011, 10:55:01 AM
Morning everyone,

I have bought some 3mm CZ, as I want to try encasing them in some of my BHB, but they are so TINY!

I have a pair of very fine tweezers, but I think that I would probably struggle to pick them up even with these.

Does anyone have any tips on how to apply them?

Thanks v. much.
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: MadelineBunyan on September 03, 2011, 11:41:57 AM
3mm? I use 1.5s!

I think I read that over 2mm and you might have trouble with compatibility.

I have a pair of tweezers that have a kind of groove in them (came from tuffnells but dont ask me which ones, got them at a FO)
this means I can kind of grip them sideways in the groove and just pop them into an indent in the bead. then add a drop of clear and it magnifies it.

I also put a few on my torchtop marver so I dont have to travel very far to the bead!
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: Kaz on September 03, 2011, 11:44:36 AM
I haven't tried it but heard that superglue on the end of a mandrel might work as the flame burns the glue off.
I also think there may be compatibility issues with 3mm but could be wrong as I have never used them!
Kazx
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: MadelineBunyan on September 03, 2011, 11:56:21 AM
yes, think it was on Kim Miles' site ages ago, but I cant find it now, think she used just pva glue and glued the face of the cz to the end of a mandrel, dry it and then plant it into the bead.

http://www.southernflames.org/Tips%20and%20Techniques/Tips%20and%20Techniques%20Setting%20CZ%27s.htm

I found this though in a related search.
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: MadelineBunyan on September 03, 2011, 11:59:37 AM
also, I'll add that I sit them face down on my torchtop marver, then they dont wobble about as Im trying to pick them up!
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: sarah t on September 03, 2011, 12:08:40 PM
i have a load an never really used them ...but i would be wary of burning super glue and fumes  ??? ...i used tweezers but they are very small fiddly beggers that's for sure

Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: DragonflyLynne on September 03, 2011, 12:24:05 PM
I found this:

http://www.longwayhomeblog.com/p/how-tos.html

Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: Fruddy on September 03, 2011, 12:36:15 PM
Thanks folks - I may have bought the wrong size then :-[ .... but I'm sure I'll find out!

I'll only make one bead with them and see if it survives the process!
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: Madam Steph on September 03, 2011, 02:00:07 PM
I have a free tutorial where the artiste tells us that cz's and glass around it may both crack if applied to transparent glass, and that cz's do great if applied on silvered ivory.
She also uses 2 - 2.5 cz's
If you want, I can email it to you
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: Sarah on September 03, 2011, 10:47:33 PM
Hi Rachel

If I need precise placement I attach the cz to a mandrel using watered down glue - I use elmers because I use it in fusing so its to hand but I think you can use any craft glue.

If I'm not too worried about precision I place it on my marver flat side down, spot heat the bead where I want the cz to be and then attach by placing the bead over the cz on the marver.

I've used 1.5mm and 2mm but not bigger. And I haven't had a problem using them with transparent glass; in fact I think I've only used them with transparent glass  :)

Sarah
xxx
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: Redhotsal on September 03, 2011, 11:06:50 PM
Blimey! I only use 1mm!
Be warned - there are CZs and there are Czs, - so to speak.
I got some CZs from a PMC website and some of them were pretty big - they all cracked the glass immediately surrounding them.
The ones I have bought from Beady Sam have always been absolutely problem free. Some CZs are "high heat"  whereas some are pretty rubbish and will crack the surrounding glass.
I use 1mm because a coating of clear glass will magnify them anyway.
To be honest I position mine pointy side upwards and roll the hot glass onto them but I used to spend time sticking them to the end of clear stringers with PVA glue. Both methods work but the former is more "spontaneous". !
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: Trudi on September 03, 2011, 11:24:01 PM
I attach mine to some 2mm mandrels (pointy side up) with elmers glue too!

Super heat and push in, be warned, if you encase then encase them well because if you encase too thin they will crack. But you can also leave them un-encased too!

Have fun (I use 1.5 or 1.75mm)
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: Fruddy on September 04, 2011, 08:53:28 AM
Well, I'm shocked and surprised this morning - after reading all your helpful posts yesterday I realised that I had bought the wrong size at 3mm and thought that they wouldn't be any good - but made a couple of beads with them regardless.....

Just peered into the kiln and they have survived!!   They look quite good as well - if a little "blingy" for my taste!!

;D
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: Trudi on September 04, 2011, 11:10:34 AM
Glad that they worked for you! Pictures please x x x
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: Shirl on September 04, 2011, 11:17:01 AM
I glue mine with craft glue to the end of a mandrel for precise positioning!

I found also to give it a gentle thorough heating after applying it to bring it up to the temperature of the surrounding glass to prevent any thermal shocking
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: julieHB on September 04, 2011, 11:40:22 AM
Well done, Rachel!  :) I advise to hang onto the beads for a while, though - sometimes cracks can develop quite a long time afterwards.
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: awrylemming on September 04, 2011, 12:52:20 PM
I've tried the cz thing, but after pinging about 10 of them across the floor (and never finding the little beggars again!) I gave up on them.  I may give the glue thing a try now  ;D
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: MangoBeads on September 04, 2011, 07:29:16 PM
Quote from: julieHB on September 04, 2011, 11:40:22 AM
Well done, Rachel!  :) I advise to hang onto the beads for a while, though - sometimes cracks can develop quite a long time afterwards.

Just posted the exact same advise on another thread :)
Title: Re: Applying Cubic Zirconia
Post by: Rainbow on November 28, 2011, 10:15:54 PM
Can certainly vouch for that one, they can definately crack much later on  :'(