Lausha compatible encased over 104 COE?

[KristyN]

Hi all. I love the purple Lausha opaque color. A girlfriend and I swapped some rods the other day, and I made a 28 mm wide by 18 mm thick lentil (about 1 1/4 inch wide by 3/4 inch thick lentil). I encased a clear base (vetrofond/Moretti) with this beautiful purple (to save the color). The bead was surface decorated with glass diversion frit (coe 91-96) and some Moretti florals, etc. . I didn't use lots of frit, but did surface decoration. I had some cracking on the top, but

The bead split in half a few days later. I know I kept it warm throughout (sometimes you're not sure), but it is the kind of crack you get when you're a beginner beadmaker and learning to keep it all heated...so I was wondering about compatability.

Can you encase a great Lausha color over clear without cracking? If so, what about large beads? Maybe smaller beads don't have this problem. I'm going to make another bead today with a solid base, and smaller one clear base/lausha encased, but I wanted to toss this out there in case it is a known element I'm not aware of.

I LOVE that purple, wanna make some more!
Kristy

[jaylee78]

I'm pretty sure Lauscha opaque purple is one that doesn't play nice with being encased so I would imagine it would be the same for using it to encase clear.

[Tanya]

I've used a lot of Lauscha glass and never had a problem. But, I haven't worked with the opaque purple. How did you anneal the bead? I would suggest trying another one without the frit to rule out frit compatibility issues.

[KristyN]

Hi Tanya, I annealed it with my Moretti program in my Toolbox kiln. I put it in earlier in the day at 950, so it held all morning and afternoon at 950, then started the ramp down program which is holding 950 for another 2 hours, ramping down to 750 in two hours, then just ramping down to room tempt.

I had thought some surface decoration/frit cracked, but actually it was fine. It's just a split bead...right down them middle. clean
kristy:-k

[artwhim]

Kristy, I've had problems with the opaque purple. It is beautiful, but sure hates to be covered up. I even used Lauscha clear. Haven't had any trouble with beads that aren't encased. Guess it's just one of those little quirks we need to keep in mind.
Sorry you lost your bead. It's always a disappointment.
Kathy

[Tanya]

Hi Tanya, I annealed it with my Moretti program in my Toolbox kiln. I put it in earlier in the day at 950, so it held all morning and afternoon at 950, then started the ramp down program which is holding 950 for another 2 hours, ramping down to 750 in two hours, then just ramping down to room tempt.

I had thought some surface decoration/frit cracked, but actually it was fine. It's just a split bead...right down them middle. clean
kristy:-k

Sounds like it should have worked. People have such different experiences with certain Lauscha colors. Next time I'm working soft glass I'll try it out. I ordered some of the purple but haven't used it much yet. You say the problem is using it over clear rather than under? Or both, perhaps...

[KristyN]

Thanks all for the input. Some colors are just fussy, and it's nice to know if others experienced that, so I can make adjustments with my production.

Tonya, I was using the purple to encase over clear. When using an opaque color that is either expensive or that I have too little in stock, I'll encase the expensive/shortage color over another compatible color. In this case, I encased/swiped opaque purple over clear...so, clear interior, solid looking purple exterior.

Another glass buddy called and noted they had a bead break in half when encasing this lauscha purple color over another, and it was just a random color, perhaps periwinkle? Hmmmm.

I'm going to just make a big ole solid purple one and use surface frit decoration. It's such a gorgeous color :love: , I've got to figure out how to use it, without cracking!
Wish me luck!
Kristy

[Tanya]

Luck! With soft glass, I'm too lazy, and too lousy at encasing, to encase over clear to conserve expensive glass. Now I'm working boro and I'm learning! It is a great color - that's why I had to order some!