Better then Bucket of Mud

[fcfmountain]

I'm a Diehard BOM lover as evidenced by the huge stash of the stuff I've got. I've learned to work around it's few glitches as a trade off for very rare spinners. (I tend to be a bit heavy handed.) While taking a class with Betty Fetvedt she noticed me struggling with gas bubbles in the first glass wrap. She insisted I try her mix and the more I used it the better I liked it. No spinners, no gas, releases easier, cleans faster, wowsers. No, I'm not giving up my BOM until I dredge the last drop from the last tub. But I know where to go from here and yes I'll be ordering some components soon. So for those dispairing because BOM is temporarily in its "scarce as hens teeth" stage, try Bettys mix. 2/3rds fusion, 1/3 Fosterfire. Thanks Betty. TIM

[RyanTheNumberImp]

I've always been a fan of fusion bead release, but I occasionally get samples of other bead releases and after giving them a try (and so far none have beaten fusion) I just throw them into my 32oz bottle.

Its funny how mixes always seem to work better than the individual products, my bottle right now is probably so far removed from any commercial bead release I don't know what to call it anymore.

[fcfmountain]

Thats so typically male thinking it's hilarious. By the way, I got your murinni today and they are over the top. I hope alot of folks grab them up and make beautiful stuff with them. Well done! TIM

[clan tabby]

I read someone praise this combination, so I decided to try it myself. It is a dream! It's tough while being worked. There have been times I've had little cracks form while working, but the bead release never spit off or peeled away. And taking beads off is nearly effortless. The beads practically fall off the mandrels. I sure like this combo!

[SadiesJewels]

I've been using fusion mixed with fosters ever since I bought some fosters and found it didn't suit me, so I mixed it into my regular jar of fusion - viola! Perfect release ... mind you I don't flame dry it (it cracks on me) but find it lasts for a long time just left sitting on the mandrels...

[FishBulb]

I just bought some Foster's to add to my remaining Fusion, thanks entirely to this thread! Haven't tried it yet but I look forward to something that reduces the cracking of bead release in the middle of a bead.

[SadiesJewels]

Just be sure to leave torching with it (once on the mandrels) until the next day ... never seems to work for me straight away.

Good luck!

[fcfmountain]

Mandrels are one of the less expensive parts of this passion. Personally it pays me in reduced stress to have invested in enough to keep dipped and air dried. Technically alot of makers claim the capability of the flame dry method and I've seen it done and tried it myself, but the looming spectre in the back of my mind of "is it gonna hold" is not worth it to me. I've spent heaps more money on less tools and supplies to scrimp where something as basic 'enough' mandrels are concerned.

[FishBulb]

I'm just calling this thread back up to say WOW and a great big THANK YOU for this idea! I've been using Fusion/Foster's mix since I first saw this thread and it's excellent. I tend to work my beads hard and also tend to get cracking and breaking of the bead release, but I've had no problems at all since using this combination. Some of the mandrels have even sat for quite awhile and still the bead release didn't weaken.

[Sheila D.]

Can't wait to try this! I hate when the b.r. cracks towards the hole when you're almost done with the bead!

[Sheila D.]

Can't wait to try this! I hate when the b.r. cracks towards the hole when you're almost done with the bead!:sad:

[selma_belma]

I appreciate this info! I loved Bucket O'Mud and have had to switch to Fusion. It's been pretty good, but mixing it sounds like a good idea. Thanks for sharing.