Constellation beads

[glasser]

I looked in the tut archive and don't see any information about these beautiful beads. I would love to see how they are made and try my hand.

Is this where I beg? [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o<

[DreamMuse]

Do you have a picture? I'm not sure what beads you mean....

[Carolyn M]

This is probably not what you are looking for, but I'll give you the info because they are super easy to make.
Start with a base of cobalt and roll in silver foil. Add small amounts of Val's Silver Lake reactive frit and melt in. Press (or not if you want a round bead) then wave in the top of the flame to accentuate the silver outlines.
Done

[Curly Irish Girl]

It sounds like you do not burn off the silver foil....but how are you picking up frit after you marver the foil...mine wouldn't be hot enough?????

This is probably not what you are looking for, but I'll give you the info because they are super easy to make.
Start with a base of cobalt and roll in silver foil. Add small amounts of Val's Silver Lake reactive frit and melt in. Press (or not if you want a round bead) then wave in the top of the flame to accentuate the silver outlines.
Done

[glasser]

That is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing that technique. Not exactly what I am thinking of, the bead I saw was more like looking at the night sky, one I saw gave the illusion of a milky way and stars. Seems like it was on a cobalt base. Thanks Pam

[Carolyn M]

Sorry, yes you burn the silver in before adding the frit

[Toni L.]

Something like this??

[hummingbird3172]

That is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing that technique. Not exactly what I am thinking of, the bead I saw was more like looking at the night sky, one I saw gave the illusion of a milky way and stars. Seems like it was on a cobalt base. Thanks Pam

Hi Pam!

Here is my galaxy bead:
12128

This was made with a cobalt base also, but with dots of rubino added before I wrapped it in foil...the rubino and the silver create the greenish gold "galaxies"..then I use stringers to twist different areas. Also there is some silvered ivory in here. This one is encased.

Try making a cobalt bead..wrapping it in silver and just melting the silver away...you have instant stars...then if you slightly reduce it...you can get "silvery milky areas"....this looks beautiful too!

Toni and Carolyn, those are beautiful!

[Toni L.]

Thanks Anna!
Gorgeous focal!!!!! Mine are done with the same steps...I love these and make tons of them!
8)

[lainee733]

cool, thanks for the tips, i think i've been trying too hard

[hummingbird3172]

Thanks Anna!
Gorgeous focal!!!!! Mine are done with the same steps...I love these and make tons of them!
8)

Thanks Toni! It is funny, we were posting the same idea at the same time (Twilight Zone music)! I think you got much prettier colors though!!! Mine was the only one like that I have made! LOL

Glasser, you can also make a constellation effect with fine silver wire...very pretty! :)

[Kikki]

A tip for making this kind of bead is to encase in Efftre or Vetrofond rather than Lauscha.
I've found (and was told by Corina) that the Lauscha clear reacts with the silver in a ugly way that Efftre/Vetrofond doesn't.

[Venessa]

Is that why my silver turned kinda goldish???

A tip for making this kind of bead is to encase in Efftre or Vetrofond rather than Lauscha.
I've found (and was told by Corina) that the Lauscha clear reacts with the silver in a ugly way that Efftre/Vetrofond doesn't.

[DreamMuse]

Silver turning goldish is usually from Effetre clear rods. Silver should stay silver if you encase with Vetrofond clear. However, if you use a very pale effetre color (like that super pale blue) then it will usually stay silver and still appear to be encased clear.

[Kraaloog]

This is probably not what you are looking for, but I'll give you the info because they are super easy to make.
Start with a base of cobalt and roll in silver foil. Add small amounts of Val's Silver Lake reactive frit and melt in. Press (or not if you want a round bead) then wave in the top of the flame to accentuate the silver outlines.
Done


Hi Carolyn,

I'm a relative newbie in beadmaking and some of the 'stuff' you mention is unknown to me. Please explain what Val's Silver Lake reactive frit is and where to get it. Also, is the silver foil you mention actual silver leaf, or something else.

Thanks for your reply.

:kiss:

[Laurie L]

Hi Carolyn,

I'm a relative newbie in beadmaking and some of the 'stuff' you mention is unknown to me. Please explain what Val's Silver Lake reactive frit is and where to get it. Also, is the silver foil you mention actual silver leaf, or something else.

Thanks for your reply.

:kiss:

Valcox.com

[glasser]

Toni and Anna, Yes! those are what I was thinking of! Thank you. Now I need to go shopping as I have none of the stuff needed to make them! Thanks again, Pam

[Kraaloog]

Valcox.com

Thanks!:)

[Laurie L]

Hey your very welcome !!!

[Toni L.]

Certainly! Don't forget to show us when you make them!
8)
toni

[amberbryant1]

I can't wait to show mine off, I made a bracelet before I even took pictures of them. WOW I am so happy with these! Thanks for sharing how to make them.

[Palestrina]

Hi Carolyn,

I'm a relative newbie in beadmaking and some of the 'stuff' you mention is unknown to me. Please explain what Val's Silver Lake reactive frit is and where to get it. Also, is the silver foil you mention actual silver leaf, or something else.

Thanks for your reply.

:kiss:

Hi Kraalog:
Reduction frit (not reactive, although it does react) is frit that you can get to reduce to a silver or metallic finish in a reduction (propane-rich) flame. Silver foil is the same as silver leaf, only it's thicker & much more manageable. Leaf is very difficult to work with sometimes, even hard to pick up. Foil is also a bit more pricey due to the thickness.
Hope this helps!

[Venessa]

Silver turning goldish is usually from Effetre clear rods. Silver should stay silver if you encase with Vetrofond clear. However, if you use a very pale effetre color (like that super pale blue) then it will usually stay silver and still appear to be encased clear.

I use Lauscha clear-Moretti gets too scummy for me! I have worked Lauscha for over an hour on a HH, and not burnt/scummed it yet.
But my silver usually gets a slightly yellow tint to it

[Kraaloog]

Kimberly,

Thank you so much for your reply. I am still at the early stages of bead making and I must say that the beads you guys make are overwhelming. I don't think I'll ever be able to make those, but even slow progress is progress, right?

Some day...............................:-k

[Venessa]

I made some this weekend!! So cool! I had wondered how to do this style, and at one point had heard, but I never got around to it. Who woulda thought that using cobalt and rubino and silve leaf would make green? I may have a new favorite bead style!