Home made Frit

[Passionatelamper]

I was pondering what to do with my fly offs tonight having already said that I use a Mortar and pestle. It's quite hard that way though. Well tonight I was clearing my work bench as I have spent a lovely day beading today doggies lying in their bed and the rain lashing down and me torching..I mean what more could you ask for? where was I? ummm oh yes...
So I thought, what can I do really with all these bits that have flown off so I brushed them all up and took them out into the kitchen and do what I normally do and that is rinse them in a sieve...when I spied a  washed jam jar...I thought Hmmm! so I tipped them in the jar still wet put on the lid....and played Tom cruise for 10 minutes.. he did play the part of the cocktail shaker didn't he? My word!! By jove and Jelly babies!!!...I looked at the contents and wow oh wow perfect but perfect Frit.  So there you are ladies....try that for your frit and what's more it's sooooo simple.
Can't wait to get cracking tomorrow on the torch and to use the new and freshly made frit. KEWL or what?
Hope every one ok.... byeee Vonnie xx

[lampworklover]

Sounds like an excellent idea.

Now if I could only get as far as the 'tidying up/ sweeping' part 

[beadysam]

That sounds like good exercise too!

[plasticdux]

I am not convinced with the sweep up instant frit miracle, i have found from experience that its full of nasties like bead release and other variants of detritus,

Unfortunately these beasties do not raise there unwelcome heads until its too late to fix.

Just my pennies worth!!!

[Passionatelamper]

Hi Sam,

I just looked at your web site....wow that is sooo cool.
can you tell me please how many rods are there in a 100 grams please?
Thank you 
Vonnie

[Passionatelamper]

Hiya yes that is why I always wash and rinse through a sieve...then there is nothing left but glass.

[plasticdux]

Hiya yes that is why I always wash and rinse through a sieve...then there is nothing left but glass.

Vermiculite?

[helenfc]

sounds interesting vonnie, especially the tom cruise bit! he he sounds like a good idea though!
plasticdux, there shouldnt be any vermiculite or bead release in it if it is just the shocky bit from when you introduce a rod to the flame

[awrylemming]

I'm going to have a go at that tomorrow - wonder if I could save some effort if I sit on my rather knackered washing machine on spin cycle, while rattling my jar?  Worth a try, methinks 

Sue x

[beadysam]

Hi Sam,

I just looked at your web site....wow that is sooo cool.
can you tell me please how many rods are there in a 100 grams please?
Thank you 
Vonnie

Hiya, it varies from  colour to colour.  I've had some really thick Lilac this time and you get 1.5-2 rods to 100g , but usually its more like 5 or maybe even 8-10 for the really thin ones.  Average I'd say 5-6.  If you are particularly bothered about not getting a thick rod, please do say on your order and I will try to pick you a thin rod bundle if its available.  You always get at least 100g too, but often more than that - same with frit, if its within about 8-10g over when I weigh it, you usually get it anyway, I'm too lazy to tip out frit, and I'm a terrible business woman too.

I'd have to agree with the comments about bead release in the frit, you can pick off the odd dot with tweezers but you can easily ruin a bead that way.  Best way I've found to make frit is to melt a gather and squish as thin as poss very quickly. Then plunge into cold water. You should get fine frit like that and it can be strained through coffee filter paper or paper towels.  This is the best way I've found to get fine even sized frit, the thicker your squish, the chunkier the frit.  You may still have to sieve it though.  Or you could just buy it from me...

[plasticdux]

sounds interesting vonnie, especially the tom cruise bit! he he sounds like a good idea though!
plasticdux, there shouldnt be any vermiculite or bead release in it if it is just the shocky bit from when you introduce a rod to the flame

Hi,

I understand what your saying but my worktop has all sorts of drek on it, if i sweep the shocked bits in to a jar I guarantee it will have bead release, vermiculite and various other nasties included, like sam if i do feel inclined to fritterise my ends i heat then dump in to cold water then strain througha coffee filter, ( more than likley i will purchase from her)

r's

[Passionatelamper]

OK Sam thank you I will go shopping on your site tomorrow.....you have some lovely colours ...
Whooopeeeee be in touch tomorrow. I am off to bed now.
Thank you for your help I will buy some Frit too. I am soooo hooked. 
Nite nite
Vonnie 

[ScarletLeonard]

Interesting.

I was going to attempt to make myself some frit over the next week and I have plenty of jars (earmarked as storage for said frit)
And with this method it will blend it nicely too.

(eta: didn't realise I was reading a slightly outdated thread slight necromancy)

[Kaz]

Remember though that frit you make from104 rods will not be as rich in colour as the frit you buy where the colour is saturated and much more intense.
Kazx

[Helen G]

Remember though that frit you make from104 rods will not be as rich in colour as the frit you buy where the colour is saturated and much more intense.
Kazx

didn't realise that Kaz, thanks for the tip