Has anyone tried these and if so, have you managed to get any whole ones off the mandrels. I'm wondering if it's something I'm doimg wrong or its just tha they need to go straight in the kiln rather than in to vermiculite.
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a98/Katiequiggle/P1050406.jpg)
Is that using baking soda? Could be that your working them too hot and baking them to the mandrels, have you done the usual soaking and yanking business?
This sounds like witchcraft ladies!!
What do you do with Baking Soda?
Hubble bubble.
No they're not stuck to the mandrels, came off beautifully. they are cracking whilst in the V
Got them from a tutorial from here, mind you mine don't look anything like theres ;D
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83698
bear in mind that these are bubbles and all bubbles are potential weaknesses, the bubbles will cool at a different rate to the surrounding area, definitely straight into the kiln
Have just gone back for a re-read and I think I've put too much soda on too, I was rolling them in it then encasing them, sounds like it should just be a few grains instead, and it does say they need to go straight into the kiln, which buggers that one up since I don't have a bloody kiln. Yet.
Have you tried the seeded glass that soozintheshed sells, it gives a beautiful effect and is much safer than soda
Yes, the effect is pretty similar and a bit more even - the orangey colour ones look just like Tizer they're lovely! Though you have to be super-careful with the rods as they are a bit explosive (but very reasonably priced in Sooz's shop!) I have just ordered 2 of each colour.....
Kaz
I must get onto eBay and do some ordering ! I like the look of the purple seeded rod.. ;D
i love bicarb
here is what i did
(http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o262/beads-on-toast/citrusclose.jpg)
(http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o262/beads-on-toast/citrusfocal1mini.gif)
oh blimey, i want to lick that bead Anna, I think that makes me really weird LMAO
love the limes and oranges,
i didnt have much luck with baking soda,
i got seeded glass from america (plus customs!!) 2 days before sooz got hers ::) ::)
still need the other colours tho ;)
Oh Wow Anna. I am green now. Thats fab.
Love them, Anna, really effective ;D
Katie, yours were very pretty before they cracked! You'll soon be able to get your kiln - I had to wait for mine too so I know what it's like!
Anna's are really tasty! :)
I will have to get some baking soda now ... where's my shopping list?
Another, more controlled way to introduce multiple bubbles is to press the slightly molten bead onto the pins of a brass flower-arranging frog. Then, quick like a bunny, encase. I do that a lot. Don't stay on the pins too long, or you'll end up with a big brass thingy stuck to your bead. Not good. Ask me how I know this, lol.
The citrus beads are amazing, btw!
Thanks everyone. Think I've cracked it. The method not the bead. I ordered some seeded glass but not tried it yet, did some im the shed today, and just put the smallest amount sprinkled on the metal surface I use and rolled the small bead just into it to pick up a tiny amount of soda then encased it. Voila. Well I say voila, they are still in the V but they look good and not too bubbly.
Katie
Is it baking soda or bicarbonate of soda you are using - I 'd like to try this too!
Kaz
Bicarbonate of soda Kaz
I got seeded glass too Kate, makes making bubbly beads easy peasy lol, the rods are hollow which surprised me. I had to have a go at blowing seeing they were hollow, got some ickle shards now LOL
Kay - what did you do - just melt the end and then blow down the pipe? Sounds interesting!
Kaz