Tink
2006-04-12, 8:04am
I get a lot of email from people asking my opinion about assorted products: What bead release do I use? What kilns do I recommend? So I answer, and send them off to various vendors to purchase the items we discussed.
Until now.
I've decided to expand my online store offerings by adding some of the most requested and discussed items from my files! I ONLY sell items that I am personally familiar with and that I can stand behind 100%.
Alice's Bead Release: I first used Alice's six months into my flameworking adventure, and I still use it today. I feel so strongly about it that I take it with me everywhere I teach, to dip student mandrels. It comes in powder form, and should be mixed to the consistency of pancake batter (according to Alice herself) or crepe batter (according to me). I keep mine in olive/pickle jars and give it a quick shake before I start dipping mandrels.
I have made a point of trying every release as it comes out. None of them have worked as reliably for me as Alice's. I believe that bead release is a very personal thing: One person's perfect release may not suit the needs of another person at all. That said, Alice's is definitely perfect for me. I make long beads, hollows and I blow vessels.
There isn't wide distribution of this stuff, so I always direct customers to Alice herself. The smallest container available through her is 2.5 lbs, which will (trust me on this) last just about forever. I bought 2.5 lbs when I started using it four years ago, and only bought more a couple of months ago, when I opened the second container from my original order! I'm offering a smaller amount (half pound) so that folks can give it a try without making a larger committment. $8 including shipping.
Jen-Ken Kilns: You know 'em, you love 'em, and now you can get them through me! One of the top questions I get is, "Which kiln do you recommend?" The answer to that question depends on so many things, but if you plan to use your kiln for making beads, pendants and small vessels, I really don't think you can find a better or more economical choice than the Chili Pepper.
Most of the studios where we teach are equipped with this kiln. With its three key digital controller, it's like an Easy-Bake oven for your flameworked creations! It's not uncommon for us to load a Chili Pepper with nearly 50 blown vessels during one of our classes, which should give you an idea of its capacity.
Equally important, to me anyway, is the fact that the folks behind the Jen-Ken kilns are great!
I am now offering the Chili Pepper for sale, along with the rest of the kilns in the Jen-Ken line. And that includes their crucible kiln, folks! Talk about fun! LOL!
$515 plus $30 shipping.
Keep an eye on my store (http://blackswampglassworks.com/tools.htm) as I continue to add products I believe in. And as always, thanks for your support and patronage!
Until now.
I've decided to expand my online store offerings by adding some of the most requested and discussed items from my files! I ONLY sell items that I am personally familiar with and that I can stand behind 100%.
Alice's Bead Release: I first used Alice's six months into my flameworking adventure, and I still use it today. I feel so strongly about it that I take it with me everywhere I teach, to dip student mandrels. It comes in powder form, and should be mixed to the consistency of pancake batter (according to Alice herself) or crepe batter (according to me). I keep mine in olive/pickle jars and give it a quick shake before I start dipping mandrels.
I have made a point of trying every release as it comes out. None of them have worked as reliably for me as Alice's. I believe that bead release is a very personal thing: One person's perfect release may not suit the needs of another person at all. That said, Alice's is definitely perfect for me. I make long beads, hollows and I blow vessels.
There isn't wide distribution of this stuff, so I always direct customers to Alice herself. The smallest container available through her is 2.5 lbs, which will (trust me on this) last just about forever. I bought 2.5 lbs when I started using it four years ago, and only bought more a couple of months ago, when I opened the second container from my original order! I'm offering a smaller amount (half pound) so that folks can give it a try without making a larger committment. $8 including shipping.
Jen-Ken Kilns: You know 'em, you love 'em, and now you can get them through me! One of the top questions I get is, "Which kiln do you recommend?" The answer to that question depends on so many things, but if you plan to use your kiln for making beads, pendants and small vessels, I really don't think you can find a better or more economical choice than the Chili Pepper.
Most of the studios where we teach are equipped with this kiln. With its three key digital controller, it's like an Easy-Bake oven for your flameworked creations! It's not uncommon for us to load a Chili Pepper with nearly 50 blown vessels during one of our classes, which should give you an idea of its capacity.
Equally important, to me anyway, is the fact that the folks behind the Jen-Ken kilns are great!
I am now offering the Chili Pepper for sale, along with the rest of the kilns in the Jen-Ken line. And that includes their crucible kiln, folks! Talk about fun! LOL!
$515 plus $30 shipping.
Keep an eye on my store (http://blackswampglassworks.com/tools.htm) as I continue to add products I believe in. And as always, thanks for your support and patronage!