hey - A little over a week ago my Northstar boro pack arrived - havent a clue what to do with it and am just searching through all forums and trying to find enough info to get started.
One thing I wnated to ask is how many different types of Boro glass are there. For those Who use it what kind do you use? Am I going to find myself needing to try out every different starter pack :o Is there a good book - I have seen Contemporary Lampworking recommended but its another pricey one! Rather than learning anything I feel like I am becoming aware of how little I know lol!
Help :)
Contemporary Lampworking is indeed superb - well worth the money, in my opinion.
There are lots of different makes: Northstar, Glass Alchemy, Momkas, TAG, various generic colours from Asia. Have a look around some of the US sites on lampwork, as opposed to beadmaking, for tips on working it. Check out www.northstarglass.com (http://www.northstarglass.com), under 'Working Our Colour', or the Glass Alchemy info section at www.glassalchemyarts.com (http://www.glassalchemyarts.com) for a torrent of info to boggle the mind.
Also, the Boro Newbies thread at WC is worth a comprehensive read. www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=440681 (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=440681)
'How little I know' is right. I started playing with boro about three months ago, and I'm still standing looking up at a Big, Steep, Learning Curve...
...but, it will be worth it. One day. I hope... ::)
Sean
By joining the BSSG ( British Society of Scientific Glassblowers) see http://www.bssg.co.uk/index.htm
one can borrow any titles in the library which has several titles for borosilicate working, some out of print and specifically for beginners. £22 to join see http://www.bssg.co.uk/newmember.htm
well worth it in my opinion.
Ian
Thanks for replying, I'm dying to just turn on my torch and have a go - but the coloured glass is soooo expensive. I am reading my user manual that came with my northstar pack. and will continue reading everything I can tonight - and sod it I'll have a go tomorrow.
If anyone has any tips I'd be very grateful. I have read as much as I can bear without getting to it!
Hi. So I had a go - and melted a mandrel and made a horrible few beads - but I suppose its a start. I didnt go blind, didnt find it too bright at all really (wonder if that means I was doing something wrong)
I spent a long time looking for an annealing schedule and in the end just had a play and bunged them in the kiln before I made some beads from my usual glass. What I would really like is some help programming my kiln to a schedule that will allow me to play with some borro and then go on to make some beads with soft glass. I dont get enough torch time at the moment to spend all of it in any one session playing with borro. Its the kiln programming I am struggling with - if anyone will help me I will gladly send you a couple of borro Northstar shorts. I have a SC2.
Emma x
Hi Emma
i've been playing with northstar, momka and GA boro, it is expensive but i've bought a load of shorts and just had a play, i got my annealling schedule off Helen P, i'll see if i can find it for you. The boro section on LE is fantastic, well worth a read, other than that i've just been teaching myself by playing with it.
Thanks Caroline - I have been reading everything I can about it and in the end got dizzy lol! So I just thought Id have a go. I'm happy to play - and have found annealing schedules (though I'd love to see what you use) but I really want to program my kiln so after striking I can play with soft glass. I have temps written down - they are not here with me right now - its in my studio ::) and I tried to program my kiln but I was never that good at it and need a dummies guide for what to actually put into my SC2.
I'll pick up my notes next time I'm in my studio and bring them home. That would help I guess :) Caroline - where did you get all your boro from? And thanks for the reply!
Emma x
Hi Emma,
If you just want to see how to program your annealing schedule on the sc2 check out the paragon site for their video tuts:
http://www.cooltools.us/Video-Clips-from-Cool-Tools-s/126.htm
Lots of luck!!
Thanks Julie - I can program my kiln - its just that all the target temps and hold time and ramping ups and downs that I had confused me - I'm trying to figure out how to put essentially two annealing schedules in one.
Great little tut - And its given me an idea lol! :)
Quote from: ebj on June 14, 2008, 11:58:01 AM
Caroline - where did you get all your boro from? And thanks for the reply!
Emma x
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