Encasing Red?

[Julabula]

Stupid question, I'm just starting to do a lot of encasing. I could swear I read somewhere that encased red beads crack.

Is this true? Anyone????

A friend of mine wants a red core encased in clear. I tried ONE, and it was small, didn't crack, but it's not red anymore, it's blue?!? (No idea if this is normal or if I accidentally hexed my torch as I was cursing my encasing....).

HELP! Thanks!

~ Jules

[Lynn Larson]

Well i can't help you with the red turning blue, but i can help a little with the rest. Hot colors (red, yellow, orange) do not like to be encased. You can encase them, and i would stress test them before selling any. I believe coral cannot be encased!

[kimberly]

You might try encasing transparent striking red with clear. That might be really pretty!

[alexm]

I've never had any trouble encasing red, transparent or opaque. Sorry, I can't help you with the blue, I've never heard or, nor encountered that problem...... oh, wait, if it's transparent red, are you sure you didn't contaminate it with silver? Transparent red will turn blue if you use silver leaf.

[Laurie L]

Can you encase corals

[Lynn Larson]

Can you encase corals
I believe all corals will eventually crack. Some do right away, and some may take years.

[Ironmountain01]

I believe all corals will eventually crack. Some do right away, and some may take years.
Why are corals so tempermental???

[Toni Lutman]

I don't use yellow/orange/red much, but couldn't you use a core of clear, then the red, then encase?

[cncalchemy]

I saw this on ebay the other day.
Red blood drop (http://cgi.ebay.com/Lampworking-Loose-Glass-Bead-Blood-Drop_W0QQitemZ7383378932QQcategoryZ14316QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Looks like it works!

[Moth]

I've encased effetre purple red. I LOVE the look of it, but I don't sell it. I will give it away to other beadmakers who understand the risk that it might commit suicide at any time, and enjoy it while it lasts. Or I'll keep it for myself.

So far, I would say all of them are still intact (OR nobody told me they cracked). However, SO many people have complained about red not liking to be encased that I don't trust it myself. And, if I were to look at all the beads that have cracked in the years I've been making beads, more than half of them are encased reds.

Has it been done? Yep. Will it crack? Maybe, maybe not. I still do it occasionally, because I love the look of it, but I am never completely confident in it.

~~Mary

[Shawn T]

If and when I have ever encased Moretti Reds with Lauscha they always crack. Really most the the special colors of Moretti I have problems with them cracking when using Lausha to encase them. Corals all of them is a big no no for me. BTW I make BIG beads, Jules you know the size of mine so this issue could come into play.

One of my favorite reds is to make- a base out of white and encase it with Transparent striking red, makes the most beautiful shade of red. Have never had a problem doing it this way. Of course it's probably not what your looking for.

I would use moretti only to encase it with, try it out and then do the freezer test to see how it does before you sell it. Good Luck Sweetie!
:love:
~S~

[Laurie L]

Shoot...really? I just bought some encased coral beads off ebay...the core is pretty small ( coral) but it is heavily encased..the clear almost looks purplish when you look at it from the side. Oh man I hope they dont crack !!

[Julabula]

Sorry, everyone! Just had a chance to log back to LE since I posted this. Thanks soooo much for your expertise!

And, Alex, come to think of it, the one that turned blue I did not use silver leaf or foil, but I did roll it in Val's silver lake frit. I had no idea that using silver made red turn blue!!!!

Thanks for all of your tips.

Shawn, I like the idea of the white core with transparent red. I think I'll try that tomorrow!!!!

~ Jules