No progress

Rosy · September 20, 2011, 05:26:47 PM

I only started making beads around the end of June, but during the summer holidays I was beginning to think I was getting somewhere - roundish beads (I like round), dimples at the hold and spotty patterns, and even though my spots don't always go exactly where I want them, I managed to make some jewellery for myself, some with polka dots, some with little three dot flowers and some with silvered ivory stringer.
But now I feel very disheartened as I can't get a nice effect with frit (holes and scuzzy edges around the frit) and the purple flowers on my latest beads have a non-purple rim around the dots).
I try to melt the dots and the frit in slowly as you all advised (well, it seems pretty slow to me - I can only make 5 beads in about three hours with my hothead) but it didn't seem to make any difference. I also tried to take on the advice about not working too low in the flame but since I haven't got anything to compare it with, I can't be 100% sure what too low is!
What else can I try, regarding the frit and the sludgy edge to my purple?

Blue Box Studio · September 20, 2011, 05:32:34 PM

I used to have a hothead, it was my first torch, until May this year. Are you saying the torch isn't hot so it takes that long to make 5 beads, or you just work slower? My HH was much hotter than that and it may be the set up that means you are getting the sludgy edge? Are you on bulk propane, or mapp gas? The hottest part of the flame will be the point of the blue cone in the flame. If you are nearer to the torch head than that you might be getting too close, I found when I did that I got gray instead of colour.

Don't get disheartened, we all have plateaus when things aren't going right. Have you got any books that would give you some pointers or inspiration?

jammie · September 20, 2011, 05:41:48 PM

Could you get Sals dvd its great...so are the rest but as a starter, well worth it!

SRJ · September 20, 2011, 05:56:06 PM

Many years ago......my art teacher at school said never throw away any of you first work. Then when you have days like this you can look back and see that you have made progress even though it doesn't feel that way at the time...... Your beads are round. My first ones were wonky - still are sometimes. Is the 'rim' around the edge of your purple a reaction between that and the base colour? Does it happen with other colours as well?

sarah t · September 20, 2011, 06:03:42 PM

the non purple edges could be a reaction between the glass ,what colour base are you using ?

and to get nice effects with frit try wrapping the bead in silver foil,burnishing on then flamming off then add the frit and melt in ,some frit blends are more prone to 'fizzing' than others ,so its not all you its the glass gods conspiring and with some practice and perseverance it will click

are you using bulk or mapp gas ? that can affect glass differently too

if you can get to a meet up (not sure where you are ) there is usually a torch and some expert help (chat and cake are usually included too :-)) and don't be scared about being a newbi turning up we all were in that place once or try a lesson (or a bit of time with someone ) it will be worth its weight in wasted glass

Veebee · September 20, 2011, 06:13:11 PM

As I said before, some frits are prone to pitting, and while on the dual fuel torches a good heat bath can get rid of a lot of it, that won't work on the HH because the flame is naturally reducing in nature. If you are working far enough out in the flame ( try about an inch above the blue cone) and the frit is still pitting, then you will probably need to encase the frit to avoid it.
Not all frits will pit in this way, so don't be put off, try some blue and green blends, avoid pinks and purples for now

Kaz · September 20, 2011, 06:19:40 PM

And avoid Frits with ivory base.

k00m · September 20, 2011, 06:56:51 PM

Yeah as other people have already said, there are certain frits that just don't get on that well with the HotHead flame if you're leaving them on the surface. There are some that will play nice though.
Also, I found that the Effetre Purple (272) loved to reduce to a sort of browny metallic shine if I left it raised, so I now only use it if it's going to be melted in. It's not you doing anything wrong, there are just some colours that reduce easily and HotHeads love to reduce.

Rosy · September 20, 2011, 07:04:31 PM

Thanks, I feel better now!
Can't wait until the weekend to have another go! I think I'm finding that frustrating too; when I was on holiday (I'm a teacher) I had time to play but now I've got three or four hours at the weekend if I'm lucky!
Thanks also for the colour advice. I've got some blue and green frit so I will try that and leave the purple alone for a bit.
I think from what you say I am in the right part of the flame and I was okay with red, black, turquoise, white, dark blue etc. so maybe it is the glass. (What a pain, purple is my favourite, apart from green....)
I'm on bulk propane and have read all the bits on the forum about regulators etc, so I think that's okay too.

The Tartan Trout · September 20, 2011, 07:10:45 PM

Quote from: Kaz on September 20, 2011, 06:19:40 PM
And avoid Frits with ivory base.

ruth · September 20, 2011, 07:42:32 PM

hi Rosie,
I started at the end of June as well and feel that it's all fits and starts; I have a session on one subject say getting consistent sizes and the next session their all over the place again.

I did buy Redhotsals first 2 DVDs and they are fantastic. Learnt such a lot. I am now looking to buy the next 2 but need to sell the first 2 before I can buy second 2. If you are interested in buying them please PM me.

In the mean time I keep reminding myself that it is less than 3 months. If it was easy we wouldn't want to do it.

Ruth (sewnthings)

Rosy · September 20, 2011, 08:25:52 PM

The purple dots are on a green transparent base - to be fair they're not that sludgy, just the proper dark purple in the middle with a lighter rim.
I found that purple went metallic brown near my bead holes when it was the base colour, too.

Thank you everyone!

MadelineBunyan · September 20, 2011, 09:26:02 PM

Quote from: Rosy on September 20, 2011, 08:25:52 PM
The purple dots are on a green transparent base - to be fair they're not that sludgy, just the proper dark purple in the middle with a lighter rim.
I found that purple went metallic brown near my bead holes when it was the base colour, too.

Thank you everyone!

yep. purple and green will do that. its most definitely not just you! you could try a layer of clear in between them, but the purple may still want to do that halo thing to some extent (to my knowledge I've never put it over clear, so I dont know, you'll just have to experiment!) its one of its quirks! the goldy browny colour may be possible to get rid of by soaking the beads in cillit bang. it sometimes works for things like turquoise greyness. not tried it on purple because I usually like the bronze colour it gets!

transparent purples such as the amethysts ought to behave pretty well on a HH though? not used one in so long can't remember. (however if you put opaque green on it you may have other 'interesting' reactions!)