Dichroic Glass from Tuffnells

[Fruddy]

Hi folks, if there is an answer to this question already, please accept my sincere apologies, but I am on my lunch at work with limited time to log on and my home pc is out of action.

I have bought some multi-coloured dichro from Martin and have picked it up at lunchtime.  It is a completely flat but wedge-shaped piece of glass, like a flat piece of pie! 

How on earth do I work this?   If anyone can either help me or point me in the direction of someone or a link who can, I would be very grateful!

Thanks so much.

Rach
x

[sparrow]

Try to keep the coated side out of direct contact with the flame, hold it with tweezers, and heat it slooooooooooooooowly

[Fruddy]

Try to keep the coated side out of direct contact with the flame, hold it with tweezers, and heat it slooooooooooooooowly

Thanks Sabine.... so, you pull it like a stringer then??  Heat a blob on the end and then pull?

[sparrow]

No, you work it directly from the shard

[Fruddy]

No, you work it directly from the shard

aha!  Now I'm understanding!

So, do you just apply the glass in blobs then?  As its a big flat piece it would be very difficult to wind around - its like a massive piece of pie!

[Trudi]

Hi Rach

It's best to cut it into strips as it is rather large - you'll need a class cutter, a flat edge and I use some running pliers to make the break.

When you have it in strips - make your bead - warm the dichro in the top of the flame keeping the coated side out of the flame. When it's warm - apply it to the bead with the coated side on the bead - heat gently in the higher part of the flame - and you can either flame cut or nip off wth rod nippers.
Gently heat the edges, patting them down so that the coating is well protected.

As this is not fused or fire polished it will be more difficult to know which side is coated and a bit more tricky to avoid scumming!

I have a written tutorial on my website explaning how to make it into stringer - but you'll still need to cut it into strips first.

http://www.glitteringprize.co.uk/   - see the tips and tutorials page

Good luck!

[Fruddy]

Trudi - you are WONDERFUL!

Thanks so much.

x

[Trudi]

Be patient with it  - don't try and work too fast!!!