Making the most of the sale, I'll be logging an order with GlassWorks.
This is my first ever purchase. I have never, ever lampworked before. Yes I am insane. Still, I have to start my stash somewhere right?
So... over to you guys ;D
I'd go for one of the mix packs - the effetre one that has 3 rods of every colour is a very good place to start. I then purchased more of my favourites, which were dark purple, dark topaz and light ivory.
After that I just went mad and bought all sorts of glass, and still am ;D
Erm....well, the sale is for Vetrofond Odds & Effetre hand pulled.....I have to admit I wouldn't necessarily start with vetrofond odd lots, they're among the shockier glasses (meaning you'll end up with glowing tiny shards embedded in your clothes and body if not careful). Sale or not, I'd make sure you order some bog standard Effetre as well........by all means order a huge stash of the odds and put them away for the first few days/hours/minutes/until your patience runs out ;)
Lots of clear, lots of black, white and ivory.
Stick to one brand to start with, or two with the same coe (Effetre and Vetrofond usually go well together). And I'd make sure you have black, white, ivory and clear. After that, it's whatever colours you like! Don't go too mad with specials and expensive ones, you'll be wasting a lot of glass to start with.
I remember seeing threads about people buying the latest colours, and couldn't imagine ever getting bored of the standard range! I'm waaay past that now, lol!
I'm still bemused, to be honest.
::)
Okay, I think I have it.
I'm ordering 'basic' colours - Effetre Black Transparent, Effetre Pastel White & Vetrofond Crystal Clear.
Then as extras - Effetre Dark Silver Plum, Effetre EDP & Vetrofond Seashell Swirl.
Does that sound reasonable? Does anyone have any other suggestions?
You might not want to use EDP at first. It is well named Evil Devitrifying Purple, it is temperamental!
If you want to make any sort of organic style beads then ivory is a must. Otherwise why not go for colours you like?
Welcome to the fetish.... see glass, buy it syndrome.... most girls buy shoes or handbags, we buy glass! It's something that my hubby often wonders at, why I'm not a girlie girl, but then he comes into my studio and sees the rack of pretty, shinny, shinny, glass!!! (straight jacket is hanging on the door as you go out!!) ;D ;D ;D
You can never have enough glass..... that's my motto... and frit!! Don't' get me started on frit, I love the stuff ask Beady Sam, I'm always buying!!
I'd advise you to go for black, white, clear and a multi pack of mixed glass rods. Find out what you like and how it works with other colours. Best way.
Enjoy!!
Ooooo and forgot.... some double helix!!!! Oh yes.... shinny, shinny, shinny.... ;D
I was going to order double helix, but I wasn't sure about it. There's a small multi-pack of CiM rods I might add to the list as well.
I'm trying not to go too mad as I do have to buy the whole set up yet - that's everything from a desk up to a torch.
:-\
I would recommend the mixed effetre packs, although not in the sale. They have a great range of colours that on the whole behave themselves. We all make a lot of wonky beads to start with and you don't feel like you are burning £5 notes. But some special glass while its on offer is hard to resist, and I admit I couldn't ;D
I'd avoid the EDP to begin with - it is hard to work even for experienced lampys.
Seashell swirl - well to be honest, I think its pretty boring.
Silver Plum, lovely glass, but expensive for a beginner. It can be difficult to get all the oil slick colours unless you know what you are doing.
If I were you, I'd get a good assortment of the cheapest colours in both transparents and opaques and avoid anything fancy like Rubino Oro, EDP and the like. If you want to go for something a bit spendy but effective, try Opal Yellow and Copper Green. Don't forget to use clear or a cheapy colour you don't like and encase it with one of the more expensive ones to make your glass go further. Some of the classic combo's are stunning, like Ivory and turquoise. Buy yourself some silver leaf and play with silver effects and Silvered Ivory Stringer.
You will make some crappy beads, and you will be disappointed and frustrated - thats just the way you learn your craft. By using cheaper glass you feel less guilty, are under less pressure and have much more fun. ;)
Hm. I think I'll follow that advice Sam. Although I might have to splash out on something a little sparkly ;D
I fully expect to make crappy beads. I currently make beads from Fimo and they're quite often total rubbish, but it's all good fun.
I just started back in Feb this year. I went for some mixed packs of coe 104 glass, efetra, cim, riechenbach and A.S.K. but everytime I used a rod I thought "oh! I like this one" and put it on a list to order more, which I have done.
The ones I have used most of have been ivory, clear, turquise and coral.
Do get the basic colours like everyone else says but do get one or two "I love that colour" rods as well, depending how much you can afford of course because you will enjoy playing with them the most.
Have fun! and dont forget to post the pics!
Quote from: Pandanimal on April 25, 2008, 08:36:39 PM
...Do get the basic colours like everyone else says but do get one or two "I love that colour" rods as well, depending how much you can afford of course because you will enjoy playing with them the most.
I'd second that - and the advice about Black, white, clear and dark ivory - and I'd add in some ink blue as well, and a bit of silver foil to play with (as Sam suggests) . As you're paying flat rate postage it makes sense to stock up on a few good basic colours as well as some of the sale specials. ;D
As a beginner (just on my third can of gas), I'd say def. clear, white, black and a selection pack (it's nice if it's some of every colour from a range rather than a random selection because then you know what to choose from when you place your next order). BUT ALSO, I just got a frit "play-tray" from Sam (thanks Sam!) which I'm having great fun with and it was so reasonably priced, for loads of effects. And So Dinky. (Are we allowed to recommend suppliers? sorry if not).
I'm not sure you should take my advice though... in two hours today I managed to make a penguin that looks totally drunk (and then cracked), an elephant that morphed into a three legged pig, and a cow that looks like she's got a bad coke habit. Oh dear.
Have fun when you do decide...
LOL...
please note that with our mixed packs EVERY colour has a label - just so you can be absolutely sure what it is you're playing with.. as a tip, keep the one with the label for last, or at least keep the little stub at the end!!...
;) ;D
Quote from: TiaraHelen on April 25, 2008, 11:50:31 PM
in two hours today I managed to make a penguin that looks totally drunk (and then cracked), an elephant that morphed into a three legged pig, and a cow that looks like she's got a bad coke habit. Oh dear.
I say only one word: PICS!!! ;D ;D ;D
Indeed!
Okay, my list has black, white, ivory and clear, and then blue, bluey-green and purple. And the Seashell Swirl, which I simply can't resist.
I think I'll have one more browse (I want a red) and then I'm done.
Possibly... ;D
OK, You Asked For It, Sabine
Children, don't try this at home.
Helenxx
PS Aoturoa, I hope this won't put you off!!!! Make sure you get some pretty pale pink cos I tried to mix my own and look what happened.
PPS Haven't attached a piccie before, hope it works...
Quote from: Shirley on April 25, 2008, 05:43:21 PM
I'd go for one of the mix packs - the effetre one that has 3 rods of every colour is a very good place to start.
This sounds like a great idea, which company does this, Shirley?
Glassworks - Q and Griet www.glassworks.be
Oh No, I just found them. Quick, hold me back, no, I mustn't, I can't, it's too much, please please don't make me.........
Uh oh... *giggles*
I keep adding things and then taking them off again ::)
I'm torn between "Oo! Sale!" and the sensible part of my brain that tells me it's more important to buy a basic starter set so I can afford other things.
Like a torch and a Creation Station. You know, the small, unimportant things... ;D
Blimey Helen, for first attempts those are really cool!! I love the cow the best ;D It's taken me months to work up to trying anything sculptural....well done! :)
Buy Vetrofond clear.. not Effetre !!!
lol... this is one of "those" questions...
we prefer vetro clear over all the others due to our experience with it being really good, clean and stable.. others prefer effetre, and yet others prefer the more expensive lauscha or R4 clear rods!.. we stock all of the above, and use vetrofond for our own stuff and our recent classes etc.. the sad truth is that all glass makers have issues witht he odd batch, and currently we have a really good batch of vetro - but there was a dodgy batch out there before, which we hope we have seen the back of!..
;) ;D
Quote from: TiaraHelen on April 26, 2008, 09:15:58 AM
OK, You Asked For It, Sabine
Children, don't try this at home.
Helenxx
PS Aoturoa, I hope this won't put you off!!!! Make sure you get some pretty pale pink cos I tried to mix my own and look what happened.
PPS Haven't attached a piccie before, hope it works...
Woohoo!!!!!!! Wow Helen, they're fab - that pig is brilliant Keep them close-by. I think Verena (Afina on here) somewhere on her website has a picture of her pigs two years ago and her pigs now, but I can't find it at the moment. Keep hold of them so you can look back on them with pride!!
Quote from: ThermalShock on April 29, 2008, 12:44:47 PM
Quote from: fionaess on April 29, 2008, 12:01:29 PM
Buy Vetrofond clear.. not Effetre !!!
Why?
Jude
Because In my newbie experience Effetre clear is very hard to melt, very easy to burn and altogether nasty... whereas Vetrofond clear is easy to melt, hard to burn and nice..... :D
Okay, now I'm confused :-[
Maybe I should wait until I have enough money for a beginner's course.
I'd also suggest getting a few rods of dark or light turquoise (effetre)... it gives really groovy results when mixed with ivory... lots of effect without really having to work at it.... perfect for a beginner I think ;)
xxx
What I did first was to buy a kilo of opaque and clear mixed coloured Effetre rods, and I would also have bought 1/4 kilo of Vetrofond clear...If you do this you get a bunch of glass to play with... and while you play, you learn how each different glass behaves, which colours go together and most importantly which colours you like :D
Quote from: fionaess on April 29, 2008, 02:13:22 PM
Quote from: ThermalShock on April 29, 2008, 12:44:47 PM
Quote from: fionaess on April 29, 2008, 12:01:29 PM
Buy Vetrofond clear.. not Effetre !!!
Why?
Jude
Because In my newbie experience Effetre clear is very hard to melt, very easy to burn and altogether nasty... whereas Vetrofond clear is easy to melt, hard to burn and nice..... :D
All extremely good reasons, I only ask as I am having horrendous trouble with the clear glass I am using at the moment (which I think is Effetre!! :() - therefore I will be buying some Vetrofond very soon.
Thanks ::)