NorthStar vs Double Helix

[ebj]

I wasnt sure where to put this  - suppose this is the right place?

I havent tried the new Northstar glass yet. I have tried some of the Double Helix with limited success. . . .

There seems to be a bit of a price difference between the two glasses. I was wondering how all you Double Helix fans have found Northstar. How does it compare? Fancy showing some pics    ?    Am I missing something that explains the price difference?

Cheers

Emma x 

[turnedlight]

I have tried some of my northstar, with mixed results.. I like the rocio, but I didn't affect the colour much! I'm on a hothead at the mo, and determined to get some colours, I have found it easiest to get colours over ivory, so I will try the northstar over it next.
I was surprised how many of the northstar selection are very dark colours, and wonder if they are meant to go pretty colours? I think it was good value for a trial pack, though. My latest hopeful purchase was some psyche frit, which has stubbornly stayed pinky coloured!
Hang in there for a reply from an expert with a better torch than me!

[ebj]

Thanks for the reply - I keep asking questions that nobody seems to have the answer to

I guess I will just have to buy a sample pack and try it out. Shame Shame lol!     

[Kaz]

Emma - I think that's the only answer as most of us are at the same stage of trying them out and seeing what can be achieved!
Kaz

[Pam]

Emma I have been playing with the Northstar glass and I love them, particularly Van Gough Rocio, Picasso and Sashas. I have managed to coax various shades of blue, green and purples, however saying that I am not sure that other glass from double helix etc are so different. Unfortunately I am not the best at taking notes when I make beads so my experimental beads often leave my questioning which glass I have used.
If you take a look at my etsy page you will see the beads I have just sold were a combination of Picasso, Sashas and Rocio but which were which I am not that sure.

[garishglobes]

In terms of ease of use, I'd say there's no difference between Northstar and Double Helix -  if you have difficulty with one, I wouldn't say you will find the other any easier! I'd tend to view them more as an extension to the colour range available.
Having said that, I love the Northstar glasses and found them all relatively easy to reduce/strike on a Hothead. If you like silver glass, these are fun!

[ebj]

Thanks guys. I will buy some and play. Any excuse to buy some glass lol
x
 

[Funky Cow]

Unfortunately I am not the best at taking notes when I make beads so my experimental beads often leave my questioning which glass I have used.

Soul sister!!!!!! How many times have I made the resolution that I WILL make notes. But let's face it, with the lure of the burning flame, who wants to stop and write things down!!!!!

[Shirley]

What's worse than not righting it down is when you have written it down, but don't know which bead the notes refer to, or even worse, when you have used a random bit of stringer that you couldn't identify just to use it up. I did one of those a few weeks ago, got a great effect and then spent quite a bit of time trying out every bit of dark blue glass to find out which I'd used in the first place

[Pam]

We can't be the only three here that do this, I echo everything you both say. I try but fail should be my moto. I sometimes mark the tip of the mandrel with the glass in question but failing to write it down gets me every time as the blob falls off  in the kiln
Oh well its great fun playing and its a good job I don't do this for living otherwise I am sure I would mastered the art of record keeping, stock control, hourly pay.............................etc etc.

[June]

LOL, yes count me in, I do the same.  I take the bead out of the vermiculite the following morning and then spend ages trying to remember what glass I used for those I liked !  I did manage to write it down once and then had the problem of remembering which bead belonged to which note, so I gave up... !    Oh well..!

[turnedlight]

Lol! That's me all over! I did try labelling, but I still got muddled. I guess the really technical way would be to use only one of the colours each time, but unfortunately I get bored with sticking to the plans..
Ebj, did you get a mixed pack of DH? Cos if I wind aion over ivory, and don't really 'try' I usually get a lovely misty bluey colour (on my hothead). I find it the easiest one.

[June]

Must try that then, as I didn't get much out of my Aion2 the other day !

[flowerjasper]

I have tried some of my northstar, with mixed results.. I like the rocio, but I didn't affect the colour much! I'm on a hothead at the mo, and determined to get some colours, I have found it easiest to get colours over ivory, so I will try the northstar over it next.
I was surprised how many of the northstar selection are very dark colours, and wonder if they are meant to go pretty colours? I think it was good value for a trial pack, though. My latest hopeful purchase was some psyche frit, which has stubbornly stayed pinky coloured!
Hang in there for a reply from an expert with a better torch than me!

i was having the same results with psyche frit on a HH, Emma (garishglobes) suggested putting it in the bit of the flame we "shouldnt go!", ie down by the torch itself,
got this from doing that,

first is light red jasper the second is ivory,
if you cant get on with the psyche frit pm me and we will work out a swap ,
sandy x

[Kaz]

Sandy they look really good!
I have just used some of the Northstar Diamond clear tonight - just because it was in the mixed packs and I have to say I am totally blown away by it - I think it is even better than the Lauscha to use - though I have not annealed yet so hold judgement til then!
Kaz