Shampoo questions?

[DancingSalamander]

I told myself, "I shall not be tempted by other glasses. Stick with what you have." You know where this is going. I bought some Shampoo glass. It's soooo pretty, but alas, I burned it or something because my beads do not look anything like the example beads at the Check glass booth at the Gathering.

Anyone have any helping hints for dealing with this glass? I want the pearly luster. I get burned or transparent with a tiny bit of luster. I'm making tiny beads with it. Are the beads too small maybe?

Thanks for the input.

Stacia

[misfit]

could you be working it too hot?

A

[DancingSalamander]

Your probably right. I'm impatient and want it perfect now. ;-) I'll try to work slower and cooler next torch time I get.

Thanks
Stacia

[Anne Ricketts]

Hi Stacia! :waving: I bought the sample bundle also from them (great guys btw!! Had me cracking up a few times!!) I'll be watching this thread to see if anymore respond!

[DreamMuse]

I can't really answer your question, but I will say that a friend showed me some test beads she made with the green shampoo glass, and they were lovely! The ones that she encased in clear showed more of the pearlescence. I'm not sure why, but the plain spacers weren't quite as nice.

So, during your next torch session, work cooler, and case in clear and see if that helps *S*

[cghipp]

Stacia and Anne - You weren't the only ones who succumbed! I bought a lot of the two dark pink shampoos, plus the sample packs. But of course I haven't used any yet! I'm going to give them a try tonight and I"ll let you know how it turns out. I have a real tendency to burn stuff up, so it will probably be a challenge for me! I'm hoping the shampoos will work similarly to the Moretti opalinos, which I love.

Courtney

[Heidi von Frozenfyre]

I was the original importer of the Czech glass back in the 90's... and sold the biz to Jan & John

The shampoo & lead glasses needs a very cool torch. This is the only time I'll ever EVER recommend a HotHead.

Keep your bead small under a half inch, and you'll do fine.

At the factory in Jaclonec nad Nisou, near the Poland border, they use a butane torch, and crank out the little "rosette" beads in a minute flat. Melts like bubblegum.

[JCHerrellGlass]

I was with Jude when she bought some at Bead & Button. I agree, GREAT GUYS! Flat out hilarious! I did overhear them say that shampoo glass must be worked way out in the flame. When I asked they agreed that a hot head would be a nice torch to use on it. Don't know if that might help. I've never worked with it (but I'm tempted).

JC

[JCHerrellGlass]

I was the original importer of the Czech glass back in the 90's... and sold the biz to Jan & John

The shampoo & lead glasses needs a very cool torch. This is the only time I'll ever EVER recommend a HotHead.

Keep your bead small under a half inch, and you'll do fine.

At the factory in Jaclonec nad Nisou, near the Poland border, they use a butane torch, and crank out the little "rosette" beads in a minute flat. Melts like bubblegum.

Funny little girls we are posting at the same time, the same message in different ways! Hi, Heidi! :waving: I LOVE Czech glass, too.
JC

[Heidi von Frozenfyre]

Hi Poopsiedoodle!

I love it also! But I wish I had the business back! I'm almost out and all I have left in soft glass is stinkin' Effetre` I'm about ready to chuck it all into Lake Michigan.


OH ALSO... NEVER marver on graphite! shampoo or lead glass will bubble on you!

[Anne Ricketts]

Oooo, I wondered about the marver thang! Glad to know that! I bought it really just to make spacers so I guess I'll be fine, I've just always loved the pearlyness to it!

[Jude Rose]

Oh I'm soooo glad you posted that, Heidi. I am a marver maniac.

You just hold onto that Effetre until you get a little visit from a couple of little cutsiepoopsiedoodles. I haven't touched my shampoo glass yet-no time. But I can bring it along to play!

[DancingSalamander]

Thanks Heidi! I don't understand why the marver thing would make it bubble, but appreciate the input. I doubt I would have figured out that the marver was one of the problems.

How do you think the shampoo will stand up to brass? Like a brass press? I wanted to make little pressed beads with it.

Stacia

[Rhapsody Fire Beads]

Let's see some beads Heidi!!!!

[Heidi von Frozenfyre]

Stacia, Brass should be alright. I actually found a great shaped stainless spoon that I used to shape with.

[DancingSalamander]

Okay Anne,
Since we're in this together ;) , here's the update on the shampoo experiments. I was trying for a cooler flame. I have 2 concentrators so I turned one off. Still too hot. Turned the oxy down on the remaining to 2.5. I also made sure to work outside the flame once on the mandrel.

Made lovely pearly beads :koolaid: , but took forever :-({|= .

I still love how it looks, but don't know if I will buy more. Have you had a chance to play with it yet?

Stacia

[Anne Ricketts]

Well I finally got on the torch today, played with the puffy hollow mandrel (will definatly need practice with that, but sure will make nice shards! :roll: ) and I made a couple of spacers with the rose shampoo glass and I think I burned all the pearl outta it! :cry: I was way back in the flame also and I didn't have my flame too high either! We'll see in the morning how they turn out! :-s