stone beads

[VickiK]

Can anyone tell me how to make beads look like stones or rocks? Would you use enamels? They really don't have to be textured, just have the look/color of stones. Is there a tutorial anywhere? Thanks!

[Kevan]

Etching would be key I think. Some colors react well with frit in the small sizes and I just made a goddess with dark ivory and wrapped her in silver and burned it off.She looks pretty "stoney".

Were you wanting an uneven shape or something?

[VickiK]

Thanks Kevan, I guess the best way to describe what I'm looing for, is like river stone. Not the shape, but the color and look of the texture - like that speckledish, grayish look. Does that make any sense? I'll try to see if I can find a pic.

[Juln]

I don't know what particular colors to use for soft glass, but in boro, you can get a good dark grey and blue speckled look by covering something in powder - like blue moon or intense blue green powder - and fuming a bit with silver. The fuming sticks the the high points and not in between, so the more textured it is when you fume, the more speckled the result will be.
This can also make a great weird sparkle (though this is off topic!) if you use gold on textured powder and then cover it with clear.

[Kevan]

Thanks Kevan, I guess the best way to describe what I'm looing for, is like river stone. Not the shape, but the color and look of the texture - like that speckledish, grayish look. Does that make any sense? I'll try to see if I can find a pic.


Maybe some tiniest frit over a grey. Vetrofond grey pearl is did an intersting reaction with the #0 size raku frit. The raku didn't really change much in color,but it did make the grey go all specklie.

[Cosmo]

I have seen people make beads out of a neutral color, then roll them in baking soda. Looks very much like stone.

[VickiK]

Thanks Kevan, Chad. I'll try both those ideas. I know I've seen a pic of what I'm looking for, but for the life of me, I can't remember where! It was so cool, beads that looked like river stone, I think with maybe a flower or something on top.

[Kevan]

Vicki, I made these beads with vetro yellow ochre and raku frit then etched them.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/dancingstrarbeads/granite.jpg

[flamebeads]

I use enamels, a mixture of black, grey and white or beige. The ratio only depends on how dark you want it. I think you're looking for the older beads by Kate Fowle.

[JanMD]

What Flamebeads said: mix enamels of two very contrasting colors, like black and white. There are a few stone beads on the edges of the 'Shells' image on this page--> http://katefowle.com/gallery.htm

JanMD

[hummingbird3172]

Nice beads Kevan!

Here is one of my "river stoneish" beads:

13454

This is dark ivory...iris amber green frit...white enamel...iris light blue frit...white enamel....

It isn't etched but I left the enamels very slightly raised so the bead has some texture.

I just ordered some enamels from Jo-Del on eBay...they have many many colors to choose from.

[VickiK]

JanMD, the beads on the edge of that photo are exactly what I'm looking for! I guess enamels, it is then! Expecting the Thompson sample pack from Frantz today - can't wait! Thanks everyone :grin:

[JanMD]

A pleasure, VikkiK! As I recall, there is a bit of a trick to getting that good stone-look finish of Kate's. I believe that, after you apply the enamel, instead of bathing the bead in the heat, you just flash it in and out. Apply enough heat to bond the enamel to the base bead, but not enough to totally melt it on. In this way you keep the tiny grains of the two contrasting colors distinct.

I am taking a class with Kate at the end of this month, and I will ask her again about this technique. On the other hand, I am sure Kate would respond if you e-mailed her directly and asked her. Her e-mail address is on her website.

JanMD