Which glass?

[ShinySnail]

Hi,
Within the next couple of months my shed will be built and I can finally begin!

I'm going to get a minor burner and have been advised that the best glass to start off with is effetre, - but somewhere local to me in Essex sells bullseye.
I don't really know much   

The option of being able to go and pick out glass myself does seem more appealing than ordering from the internet - but how does bullseye compare and is it much more expensive?

Also, could anybody reccommend some reasonably priced suppliers, internet or otherwise please?


Many thanks,
Anna

[Yellow friend]

Hi Anna

Well done at getting your set up - I would suggest Tuffnell Glass, Off Mandrel & Frit n Glas as suppliers, for starters.  Tuffnells do travel about and can be found at assorted bead fairs etc., so you may be able to do some face to face shopping.

Effetre is a good starter as they do so many colours and are quite reasonable.  I got a starter pack to play with first. Then get your hands on Passing the Flame.

Atb
Shelia

[Krysia@No98]

this is a really good place to see where they are and when

http://www.tuffnellglass.com/contents/en-uk/d6.html

They are really friendly too.

One of the advantages of learning on effetre is that everyone else here has used it.  And you can mix it with other types of glass

[hollergrafik]

If you start with bullseye and then decide to get some effetre you wont be able to mix them as they are different COE'S (they expand and cool at different rates make beads that have the mixed glass in crack and break) bullseye is a bit stiffer to work with and effetre and CIM are softer and melt easier. You could always start with a mixed pack from Tuffnells to see what colours you like before buying big amounts.
Have fun

[Margram]

Hi Anna and welcome .  Most people seem to start with Effetre, there's such a wide choice of colours available and reasonably priced. I think Tuffnells have a list of shows they are going to attend.

How did you get into lampworking?

[Katiequiggle]

Oh I agree, get a mixed bunch of transparent and one of opaque from Martin, he also does bead release and mandrels too.  Have lots of fun setting up and show us a photo when you're ready.

[Trudi]

Hi

I can only echo what others have said.

I use both bullseye (coe90) and Effetre/CIM (coe104) - both are lovely to work with. Both melt beautifully and can be annealed together - you just can't mix them.

If you do decide to try both - I'd say label them and keep them separate!

Bullseye it a lot more expensive - but they do have nice colours that you may not find in 104. That said, they are pretty similar really.

FYI - Off-Mandrel stock Bullseye - and they also stock schott clear (coe91) this is totally compatible with bullseye and super quality and soft to melt but is a lot cheaper than bullseye clear.

Lots to think about!!

[stuwaudby]

My experience so far:

Bullseye is 50% to 100% more expensive than Effetre

Bullseye needs more heat than Effetre to melt. It takes longer to warm up and stays "stickier" for longer. This can be useful because you have longer time to work it. It does mean that it takes more time to make each bead, especially larger beads.

I prefer the range of bullseye colours, they tend to use less reactive pigments.

I find bullseye is less prone to cracking.

The bullseye range of sheet, frit, pre-made stringer, di-chromic is far wider.

Effetre melts much more readily and the best option for mass production. Bullseye is more forgiving and slower to work.

My preference is bullseye, mainly for the range of colours and better control. I usually work in Effetre because I have a large stock of it.

The two do not mix! You cannot use effetre and bullseye in the same bead. I suggest you keep them totally separate and only get one set out at a time.

[Scubeadoo]

Being a skinflint I started with a "tester" pack of bullseye and an old Elsevrier propane torch that I was given by someone who once did glas sculpture ( animals and stuff)
Bullseye has nice colours and is stiffer so it is less likely to land in your lap but it also takes more patience than effetre as it takes longer to achieve a nice bead shape.
Once i figured out how to get decent beads and that beadmaking was for me the hothead arrived! Since then I've mainly used  the coe 104 glass ( Effetre, reichenbach, Cim and some Vetrofond) but do use a little bullseye now and again.
As others have already commented, it is much more expensive but does have some lovely colours - you cannot mix glass of different Coe easily in a bead ( well only in very small amounts) but you can mix beads of different coe glass in a set if you want to - my absolute fave is bullseye mint green!

[♥♥Tan♥♥]

You can use Bullseye and Effetre in the same bead as long as you don't want it to stay in one piece

[Krysia@No98]

*snort* you are funny Tan!

[Redhotsal]

I prefer the range of bullseye colours, they tend to use less reactive pigments.

That's interesting. I prefer the Effetre range as they use more reactive pigments!

Effetre is pretty cheap as compared to Bullseye (well, it used to be...... ) and it's softer (easier to melt). Why not go for 2 kg of Effetre and demand one of each available colour. 2 kg should cover it nicely. And go for 1/2 kg each of white, black and clear in addition.

Any GOOD glass supplier would be HAPPY to label each rod up for you so that you know what you ordered last time. If they can't be arsed to do this don't order from them next time.

[ShinySnail]

Thanks everybody, I have loads to think about now! Think I'll avoid the bullseye then, just for a while anyway.

I have always enjoyed creating things, my mum used to belong to craft groups and every couple of months come home with starter kits for all sorts of different things. In more recent years I have occasionally made jewellery and lampworking really appealed to me as the finished result is just so beautiful and professional looking.

So... in Feb I attended a short course with Diane East and Sally Carver, and more recently spent a day with Dizzy Di who is situated a little closer to me. Since then I have been saving up to get started and the time seems to have gone sooo slowly!!
I'll have my garden shed & storage set up by the end of May and in June and July I can get cracking with all my equipment - I really can't wait!!

Thanks Sally for the suggestion about getting the glass labled - I think I'm going to go with the 2k idea and buy from Tuffnells when I order my burner kit.

The next month is going to go very slowly! 


   

[Trudi]

Bless you! Sounds like a good plan.

Once you've got the hang of it you can then try Bullseye later!

[silverlemon]

All great suggestions here.

If you want to go and see the glass then you have Creative Glass in Rochester, Kent.
They sell Effetre and Bullseye, and also tools and glass for fusing.

Effetre would be a good start as there are lots of new glasses available that you can use with it Like CIM, Double Helix, Laucha, Precision, Vetrofond, Richenbach etc.