Zephyr... my first thoughts

[Jolene]

That's just about the coolest bit of glassy info I've ever seen! And there was me thinking I could live without Zephyr, thanks for sharing Julie

[awrylemming]

I got some today - this stuff is just lovely.  And I wish I'd got it before I started masking and etching a whole series of beads 

[Pat from Canvey]

Great tip Julie, glad you experimented.

[Jolene]

Some selectively etched floral beads made with with Zephyr and 006 after seeing Julies top tip


etched blue florals 1 by kitzbitz art glass by Jolene, on Flickr


partially etched green florals 4 by kitzbitz art glass by Jolene, on Flickr

[Princess Peggy (Priscilla McGirr)]

Love those Jo!

[dangerousbead]

I must  stop reading these threads. I need clear having run out but my encasing just wouldn't justify it yet. Plus No money for glass having just ordered a press. Bit chicken and egg that :-)

[Pat from Canvey]

I think I like the partially etched green florals best Jo, but both sets look good.

[Rainbow1]

I bought some Zephyr last Saturday at Harrogate bead fair but as yet haven't had time to torch  Hopefully I will get some much needed (therapy) torch time this weekend.

[Amber]

It doesn't etch? That's very interesting! Looks like I need some Zephyr as well as my Reich Crystal then 

[Purple Cobwebs]

My lovely sis sent me some of this as an early Christmas present, and there was no way it was going away until Christmas!!!
I tried it yesterday and it was a delight to work with.

However....today I've found that a few of the beads that I encased with it, that had silver foil in them, have hairline cracks in 
Not had a problem with cracking beads before (I garage as I go), so I'm a little wary of the glass now.

Any tips?

[awrylemming]

I don't know.  I encased quite a few beads with silver foil and haven't had that problem?  And loads of silver glass too.  I wonder what's happened there 

[Fruddy]

I don't know.  I encased quite a few beads with silver foil and haven't had that problem?  And loads of silver glass too.  I wonder what's happened there 

Me neither... and I never make a bead without tons of silver glass and usually leaf too....

Maybe wait slightly less time before putting them in the kiln... perhaps they're getting just a wee bit too cold.

[Purple Cobwebs]

Thanks for the feedback. Will try again this weekend. Maybe I was gazing at the lovely clarity of the glass for too long before popping in the kiln 

[Lush!]

I was teaching this weekend and we had a go at Zephyr stringer on transparent beads, then we etched them.
 

[Margram]

Cool There are a few glasses that don't etch eg cirrus, see here: http://frantznewsletter.com/cirrus-and-the-other-cloudy-glass-colors-from-cim