NorthStar vs Double Helix

[flowerjasper]

ooohh,
show pics please!
just writing a list for glass i need ( different to the list i want!! should have , NOW!)

[Funky Cow]

I have just used some of the Northstar Diamond clear tonight Kaz

Oh yes - it blew me away!!!

[Kaz]

Just added 2 packs to my order for Towcester!!! Need a big bag or hope the car park's not too far away!
Kaz

[Trudi]

Hi - this is  not a comparison - just what I asked Martin re Northstar!



          We are still playing ourselves but there seems to be very different reactions depending how you work. I found if I worked too quickly and too hot I got nothing . I slowed down and chilled out a bit and after letting the bead chill 10 seconds reduced the oxygen a little or turned up the gas and just nicked the beads back in the underneath of the flame to get the reaction . I also found that by not reducing and just using the glass and putting on a pattern , then encase it I got a good reaction by just encasing it.



Finally the best reaction I have upto now was with a Hot head . Make the bead , decorated it and after shaping with a cold marver or a cold press the reaction accured, improved it more by covering the holes with a tea towel to get a reduction flame.

[Ilona]

I have been Playing today and I am 1/2 way through the starter pack. All the rods I tried have been commented on for ease of use and reactions, and all beads are in the kiln and labelled.

I will photo them all and let you know when my blog is up and running.

So far I don't like Van Gogh Caramel, this seemed to be more of a striker and I could see some colour change but it was more like yuk.

My fav was from a badly damaged rod, with a seam down one side, so the rod seemed to just bubble. this was amazing where it didn't bubble and produced lovely gold metalics etc. It didn't like encasing though. This rod was - Kandinsky Green Exotic. If you have a perfect rod and it bubbles, I will be gutted.

My other fav is Rembrant just a flash in a reducing flame and WOW.

I have encased all my beads and only the Kandinsky didn't seam to like it.

I just hope they all come out of the kiln as good as when they went in. I will let you know.


Ilona

So far I would say that I LOVE Northstar . I used to love DH but
didn't like the price. I can buy three packs of this for just over the price of one.

[Trudi]

Looking forward to seeing them - i did wonder about Rembrandt as Martin only shows this as a green rod on his site!!

[turnedlight]

Thanks Sandy - I will try again! I'm hoping to get a new torch soon, so I'm going to hang on to eveything, even the glass that has me stumped! Anyway, I'm far too stubborn to admit defeat..

[flowerjasper]

i got  some davinci double purple,
each of the rods look so different in colour and thickness,
got a few swirls but nothing WOW, after going in the kiln they went darker and sludgier.....
any tips?
am on a hothead on bulk,
sandy

[Shirley]

I'd like to throw something else into the equation - silver glass from GT Glassworks. I've been playing with Black Nebula and Green Envy and can recommend both.

[June]

i got  some davinci double purple,
each of the rods look so different in colour and thickness,
got a few swirls but nothing WOW, after going in the kiln they went darker and sludgier.....
any tips?
am on a hothead on bulk,
sandy

I've got some of this too.  Though I've not played with it that much, it seems to me that after winding the glass on and just cooling it a little I can see some nice colours coming out, but if I try to heat it again it just goes all dark and sludgy, as you say - this on my Bobcat, but seemed similar with HH, too

[flowerjasper]

glad its not just me then june!
i thought it was a reducing glass so i kept sticking it back it, towel over the holes etc
prehaps i will work it lightly tomorrow,