problems with Messy Leaky pen

[terryl]

Okay, I have seen so many people on this board say they love leaky pen. I have a pound of the stuff, but I threw it up on the top shelf thinking "what in the world is all the hype about?" All I get is pitting and bubbling...worse than effetre turquoise. Basically the glass just boils. I have tried several different flames....increased the oxygen, increased the propane.... and I have tried working really high in the flame, but nothing seems to make much difference in the result. I would love to give this glass another try since so many seem to love it. I was hoping the leaky pen fans out there would give me some advice on how to work this glass. I wanna love it too!!

Terryl

[BehindTheScenes]

i get the bubbly, fizzy effect when working with the glass, but the finished bead has never shown anything but a smooth finish. i'd give it a try again. :) just see what happens.

although, i wouldn't recommend etching this color, never comes out very well.

[terryl]

I will give it another try.....there must be something to this glass since so many people say it is their favorite messy color. At least I know that others are have the same reaction in the flame. I thought I was doing something wrong.

Terryl

[BehindTheScenes]

i think that's just part of it's character, lol. i get that with effetre's dk aqua too...or the old odd sapphrine. just weird since it doesn't "stay" with the bead.

let us know what you think when you're done. i kind of have the "eh" feeling about it. just a darker version of ink blue to me, but what do i know? ;)

[ROC]

It's been a while since I've worked it on my HH, but I get the same if I don't really focus on working it COOL. And I have the best results with beads that are more simple and don't reqauire a lot of torch time. Also had better results using clear with it to dilute the color a little. Kimberly has an amazing seahorse using it. Maybe some others will jump in with their experience.

[Vicki B.]

I have the same problem with the pitting and bubbling - must have either been a bad batch (quite a while ago) and/or perhaps worse on the HH.

It's the most pitable (pitiful?) of any of the glass I have and too bad because it's such a pretty color.

Thre were several others complaining about this color on another thread discussing the CIM colors.

I have had no trouble with any other CIM colors.

[kandice]

Keep in mind that CiM glass, for the most part, actually likes the heat. Try burning off whatever scum you're getting, and try turning your flame up.

Here's my review of Leaky Pen - http://coloraddictionblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/rising-star-cim-c0508-leaky-pen.html

[honey*bee]

I haven't use that glass but I have used a few that boil like that and I have found that after you make your footprint that if you gently rock your rod side to side as your applying more glass that you can easily work the bubbles out.

[Oenone]

I haven't had any trouble at all with leaky pen, but I think I work hotter than I'm supposed to. It does spark a little, but it always turns out looking beautiful.

I suppose I might have gotten a different, less boily batch? I ordered mine last August.

[flyingcorgi]

I have also not had trouble with Leaky Pen, but I also ordered mine nearly a year ago. I haven't worked with it lately. It may have been fussy, wanting to be worked cool, but if it was anything like what many are describing here, I would have given up in disgust, too. I just don't remember anything special about working it.

Regards,
- Becky in MN

[terryl]

Thanks to all that responded. I will give it another try. Kandice, you inspire me with your beautiful color choices and lovely beads. It was your blog that made me want to try this glass in the first place. Your beads were so lovely made with the leaky pen and dirty martini....maybe that is why I was so disappointed when I got all the pitting and sparking. Maybe I gave up too soon. I will go back and review your posts to see if I missed anything on the leaky pen.

Terryl