I have just made my first beads that I really like! :D :D The ivory base, then translucent stringers over silver leaf type thingies. Too scared to try to get them off the mandrels yet!
The colours I've used are the aqua/ teal types & they look lovely at the mo... I'd love to try & make some more with pinky purples, but not sure what glass to try ... am I right in thinking those colours are trickier to use over silver?
Would really welcome any suggestions of glass to try/avoid! Thanks
I've used pale amethyst over silver and its lovely. When working with silver, try and keep the bead higher in the flame than the rod or stringer you are adding once you've got the silver on the bead. If the bead is lower in the flame than the stringer you're applying then the fumes from the silver will go on your bead. Sometimes the fuming is lovely but it depends on what look you are after. :)
Thanks for that Gaysie may. I've just got them all off the mandrel with none broken so far. Slightly nervous of even breathing on them! I'm using a hothead if that makes any difference to the type of glass to use. I don't have a kiln so they'll have to wait a bit to be annealled. Is there any amber/gold type glass you'd recommend? (on a roll here, and a whole bank holiday weekend ahead!)
I would say to try the standard Effetre transparents. Perhaps just make a test bead in each colour first.
Hotheads and silver work very well indeed. You can get some really fun reactions just trying out different combinations.
I agree on the pale amythyst, I use it all the time over silvered ivory (either bead or stringer) and have had no problems. Have tried a pink and didn't get any problems but it didn't show up very well (too pale I think).
If you use pink you need to keep it away from the silver. Pinks and silver go orange. A thin layer of clear between them works wonders and keeps the pinks looking pink. And don't forget to share photos when you've played.
Thanks everyone. Going to enjoy the Cornish sunshine now & get stuck in later!