Tips for Gaia...I think I've got it???

[Pixiedebs]

As most of us did, I got carried away at flame off and was like a mad woman on a trolly dash!!!  

I bought some gaia as I've been lusting after it for some time but I would like to ask the experts for any hints and tips (other than prying to the Gods of Glass  )

All advice welcome!!

Debs xx

[Helen G]

Sorry, no tips from me, I'm absolutely pants with it, can do lots of other silve glasses but this eludes me to the point where I was going to ask a Gaia expert if they could test it for me  I will keep checking in someone can help 

[Trudi]

There was a post recently and a link to an older one too - try a search over the past 30 days.

But I beleive it likes to be on thinly - and can take a lot of reduction!

Best way to find out though, is to have a go!

[turnedlight]

I used it today, made a green base, trans green over that, then a few blobs of gaia, raked it, cooled a bit and reduced (turning up the propane a bit and bounced it in at the side just above the yellow.. not too roaring)
If you do that you get the shiney, if you hold it there a second or two, you get more colours but you can go a bit far. Actually, I did go a bit far with one, got annoyed with it, sadi 'take that!' and held it in to boil the gaia a bit, and it started webbing which actually looked ok too.
I don't encase it much, for every three or four beads, I lose the effects, but sometimes they stay and it's nice.

[tsarvo]

I have used it today and loving it,i have just put them in the kiln.
fingers crossed all night as i really like the way they have come out.
not completely happy, because 3 of the 5 hollow beads that i put it on have gone to bead heaven allready ,, i made clear hollows and put a thick stringer of Gaia on top, but i don't think i melted it in enough as some of the stringers have pinged off gutted as i loved them.

also, I'm not sure if my hollows like vermiculite (then Kiln) as i seem to be loosing a few doing it this way

do you think i would have more luck if i put them straight into the kiln?

[Trudi]

do you think i would have more luck if i put them straight into the kiln?

Yup!

You can batch make smaller beads, Then when you want to make beads that you want to go straight in the kiln - pop the batch in the kiln to one side and make your hollows and anneal at the same time!

Simples! 

[lemon kitten]

The only result I ever got from the stuff (apart from green transparent that is!) is when I stormed it.  Looked really nice.  My pal Cath can get a result from it but all I get is green

Janey x

[silverlemon]

I reduce it heavily in hot reduction flame i.e. turn propane up, about 2" from the yellow candles.

I only ever got shiny once and it's mine, all mine 

It disappears when I encase it.

[Pixiedebs]

Thanks everyone...I've got some lovely colours out of it when I reduce and encase but not shiny shiny!!!  Never mind I'll keep on trying and see what I come up with.

Thanks again
Dx

[Pixiedebs]

After doing a search on here for Gaia and following the tips I think I've got it!!  Last night I tried Gaia over black, reduced the heck out of it and got some colour and shine!!!  I'll get the camera sorted out and get a pic up.

Dx

[♥♥Tan♥♥]

Pics now missus

[GoodMonkey]

Pics now missus

Yes. Right now!

[Pixiedebs]

OK, I have cleared my memeory card and taken a quick picture.  Please be gentle as the photo is a little blurry as I was try to keepZach and Ruby away at the same time  !!!

Oh yeah and it's still on the mandrel, sorry 



Dxx

[Veebee]

That looks great! Is it just gaia, or is it over something else?

[Pixiedebs]

It's over black.  I put a very thin layer over plain old eff black and then reduced...and reduced....and reduced!   

Dx