Which Boro Colors do you dislike?

[e. mort]

Yeah, I am bored, and unable to torch today so I thought I would rattle your cages. Now, it may be that I just haven't figured out how to work them yet, but these colors don't do much for me.

NS Blue Exotic
GA Silver Strike 5
Momka Magic Mirror

So, what colors do you wish you hadn't bought?????

Eric

[Cosmo]

Never used Magic Mirror, so I can't comment on that, but I love Silver Strike 3 and 5. I use it all the time. I hardly ever use Blue Exotic or Green Exotic. I haven't had much luck with them. I also dislike NS Blue Caramel. I hate NS Crackberry.. er Blackberry, as well. It cracks like crazy.

I don't much care for GA Ruby Strike. It gives very inconsistent results for me. Same for NS Ruby. But, now that Elvis is around, why use any other red?

[Mr. Smiley]

Eric, try oxydizing the hell out of your flame and encasing the Blue Exotic in clear or clear frit. ;)

Did you get the yellow frit I sent?

[e. mort]

Thanks Brent! I just remembered to check my mailbox today, and the frit was there. I am looking forward to trying out the elvis sample you sent. Was that light, medium, or dark elvis?

[Mr. Smiley]

That was medium... ;)

[PaulaD]

I've used Magic Mirror and got a real pretty honey color using a lot of oxygen. Paula

[suzanne]

I really don't like the silver dance I got a while back... It looks nothing like LAG's beads so it sucks:D

[Lynn Larson]

Solaris irritates me! I know you are supposed to get some color out of it besides pale yellow...

[Cosmo]

Solaris irritates me! I know you are supposed to get some color out of it besides pale yellow...

Do you mean Solara? That's one of my favorites. Keep it hot, then strike it just before you put it into the kiln. You get nice oranges and reds. Also, try reducing it, then encasing it. This bead is all Solara with some trails and end caps of Silver Strike 3.

http://www.soleiletlune.com/gallery/IMG_0372.jpg

[Lynn Larson]

Do you mean Solara? That's one of my favorites. Keep it hot, then strike it just before you put it into the kiln. You get nice oranges and reds. Also, try reducing it, then encasing it. This bead is all Solara with some trails and end caps of Silver Strike 3.

http://www.soleiletlune.com/gallery/IMG_0372.jpg
Yea...that's what i meant :lol:

Gorgeous Chad! That is incredible!

I've tried to strike it, but i must not have been holding my mouth right. I will try it again, i refuse to give up!!

[Cosmo]

I treat it much like I do Amber Purple/Triple Passion. Just work it really hot so it goes clear. Then, take it out of the flame for about 45 seconds - 1 minute to let it cool. Put it in the back of the flame and let it strike. Put it in the kiln at 1050-1075.

[Lynn Larson]

Okay...that could be where i'm having my issues...

Since i started in soft glass, i have a really hard time leaving something out of the flame that long.

Does that help with the haze on DAP and triple passion?

[Mr. Smiley]

Lynn... only oxygen will help with the haze.. it needs to be burned off. ;)

[Lynn Larson]

Bummer...why do i have such issues with it? I wonder if i'm afraid i'll melt the finished piece too much to get rid of the haze? Thanks Brent baby *smooch*

[suzanne]

Yea...that's what i meant :lol:

Gorgeous Chad! That is incredible!

I've tried to strike it, but i must not have been holding my mouth right. I will try it again, i refuse to give up!!

You where breathing on it!!! DON'T

[Lynn Larson]

You where breathing on it!!! DON'T
*snort*

Drat...don't say that! I have a tendancy to hold my breath...I don't realize it until i stand up to put the bead in the kiln :lol:

[suzanne]

Rotflol I thought I was the only one holding my breath while decorating beads:D

[Mr. Smiley]

Keep it hot and oxydized enough to keep the haze off. ;)

[gennym]

I agree with ruby strike and the exotics - Once upon a time green exotic frit was my favorite but lately the exotics just look too dark on everything for me so I have given up on them for the moment. I am also tired of boiling the crayon colors (won't name the source) - even when encased first in clear and/or turning the heat down - it just doesn't seem worth it. Maybe it's just because summer has arrived and everyone wants me to make light colors - but I am avoiding all of the dark colors and using lots of clear to strech the colors out more. Since I work on a lynx I am also starting to avoid some of the colors that take more heat to melt - especially when the same color can be produced using another glass.

On a more positive note - I am in love with Elvis (light) Persimmon Strike, and Momka's Rhapsody in Blue. I wish I could get the beautiful colors you get with her glass Kay - I will keep working on it. I just ordered the new greens and blues from GA - my next project is to make a version of a Japanese float bead (have any of you ever seen one?) with the new transparent greens. But first I have to make dozens of lavender beads for the Lavender Festival coming in late July - so far my best effort has been to encase a lapis core bead with transparent lavender.

[tasminann]

Oooo, I love blue caramel and silver strike 5 -- two of my favorites. But I'll have to agree with the crayon-type colors -- too darn much trouble to encase and then work cool.

Silver Beach also doesn't do much for me.

[Mr. Smiley]

Silver beach looks great in an implosion... gotta get it to strike in the kiln. Maybe run it through 2 or 3 times. ;)

[Emily]

Oh. So that's what Solara's supposed to look like. I have trouble getting any boro colors to do anything that won't make you want to go chug a couple bottles of Maalox, but for most colors I acknowledge that it's my fault. Until now, however, I was feeling OK about my non-results with Solara because I figured nobody could make Solara look like anything worth bothering about.

Thanks for shattering my last illusion . . .

[Cosmo]

Well, this is the most important thing I've learned with boro...

If in doubt, get it really hot and use a lot of oxygen. Then strike it and kiln it hot. That's how I get a lot of the colors I get. That may not be the most "scientific" approach, or the way the color manufacturers intend it, but it works for me.

Here's another one using Solara (can you tell it's one of my favorite colors?). This is Solara over Elvis, encased in clear.

http://www.soleiletlune.com/gallery/vortex_1-10.jpg

[Venbead]

Magic mirror looks great in an implosion and I have gotten a nice purple color out of it by getting it really white hot.
and the silver dance can be used nicely to back a pendant. it's a rainbow of good fun. I couldn't make a bead with it though that didn't look like a muddy mess. Kay's the one with the midas touch on that one.
Genny Have you tried roger parramore's crayon colors? they are fabulous, melt creamy smooth you can even implode them. he's got lots of nice pastels for the spring and summer too.
mountain glass arts carries it

[Venbead]

here is silver dance on the back of the first pendant and here is magic mirror imploded,

[gennym]

Hi Paula. We couldn't see your last beads. Yes - I've used RP glass and I really like it - so different and yes creamy to use - would probably be wonderful for the lavender festival beads. I only have 1 small rod of it left (that's the only problem that his rods are relatively small) so should get more. I also love the way his colors compliment each other. Thanks for the reminder!

[Jester Beads]

I hate Red/Blue/Green exotic. I can never get it to look like anything but a dull, fried, livery mass.

[Juln]

The only colors I don't use much are some of the transparents that stay the same, such as Warm Brown or Beryl. Of course, who wouldn't hate the colors that explode such as old jade or 'Blackberry'.

Other than that I use everything.
The Exotics are some of my favorite colors, along with any silver color, including Silver Strike 5 and Magic Mirror.

[chayes]

i'm not that big of a fan of northstars exotics.
glass alchemy pthalo blue,and green.

[adovbs]

here is silver dance on the back of the first pendant and here is magic mirror imploded,

Those are gorgeous! What's on the back of that last pendant? Wow, that magic mirror sure makes a lovely implosion! *eyes popping out*

[tasminann]

Here's something I just tried and can't figure out -- Precision's Exp. Green. So far, it looks like just black to me...has anyone gotten another color out of it?

[e. mort]

I have heard that a little of that PC exp green really goes a long way. Try mixing a bit of it with clear and pulling it out into a cane. Or just pulling it down to a stringer and decorating with that.

Eric

[tasminann]

Thanks, Eric. And wouldn't you know, I ended up with 1/2 lb of it...guess I'll never need to buy it again! ;)

[e. mort]

here is silver dance on the back of the first pendant and here is magic mirror imploded,

Those are really nice! Did you flame strike or kiln strike the magic mirror? Regardless, you have convinced me to try this color again.

Eric

[Mr. Smiley]

Eric... any luck with the Exotic Blue?

[e. mort]

Well, I am not getting much blue out of it....a lot of yellow, but not much blue. I will post a pic in a bit. My loop turns out just fine, but the body of the heart is kind of bleah.

Hey, my wife absconded with the "sunset" boro heart I bought from you. :lol:

Eric

[e. mort]

Here is what I am getting with the blue exotic. I am ok with color under the clear dots, but I would love to be able to get rid of that muddy color between the dots. So far the only way I have been able to get rid of it is by using my lapidary equipment. :-|

[Cosmo]

Here is what I am getting with the blue exotic. I am ok with color under the clear dots, but I would love to be able to get rid of that muddy color between the dots. So far the only way I have been able to get rid of it is by using my lapidary equipment. :-|

Have you tried cranking your oxygen up and turning your propane down to burn off the metallic layer? I've had decent success doing that.

[IF-Designs]

now see I cant do f-ing loops for crap but I can get color :(

[suzanne]

that is exotic blue???????????????????????? * god I am really confused now*

I love it Eric, but I have never gotten that from exotic blue though *still confused*

[Kalera]

I love the exotics... I tend to really thin them out, and then use a lot of clear stringer or frit on them to bring out color variations.

I don't have any pics on this computer - haven't been working boro, it's too freakin' hot in my studio!

[rusticstudio]

now see I cant do f-ing loops for crap but I can get color :(
Karin, have you taken a Smiley class? He teaches a killer way to do loops! Actually a couple of ways.

He's coming to Mari Johnson's place (http://www.bluefirebeads.com/pages/workshops.php) in October! hint hint hint!

BTW, is teal the color that cracks if encased? I am making sample beads of all my colors -- one plain and one encased -- and the teal encased cracked in half!

[e. mort]

I would love to see how blue exotic is working for the rest of you. Is anybody up to posting some pics? Thanks much!

Eric

[Cosmo]

Karin, have you taken a Smiley class? He teaches a killer way to do loops! Actually a couple of ways.

He's coming to Mari Johnson's place (http://www.bluefirebeads.com/pages/workshops.php) in October! hint hint hint!

BTW, is teal the color that cracks if encased? I am making sample beads of all my colors -- one plain and one encased -- and the teal encased cracked in half!

Jade is usually the one that causes that. I haven't had much problem with Teal.

[IF-Designs]

Yep I know! Im going to the gathering though so all my extra cash has went to that and my BF's too hehe he paid a good chunk of it as my bday pressie :) But if I can get it together Id like to take his class :) I need all the help I can get on that aspect of things THe loop thing is killing me I may get a good loop here or there but I just cant get it consistent and more often than not they are big poopy crap loops on an awesome pendant :(
Karin
Karin, have you taken a Smiley class? He teaches a killer way to do loops! Actually a couple of ways.

He's coming to Mari Johnson's place (http://www.bluefirebeads.com/pages/workshops.php) in October! hint hint hint!
!

[Over the Moon]

Brent's loop-teaching, etc IS awesome, but in the mean-time you could use the "tried-and-true" way of making a bead on a mandrel, and then attaching your pendant right to it. Just make sure that the two pieces are truly bonded together. At least that way you won't be upset by "messing up" the final step!
BTW: Paula makes her loops on her awesome implosions pendants this way - I just received one from her, and it is stunnung/gorgeous!

[Cosmo]

Brent's loop-teaching, etc IS awesome, but in the mean-time you could use the "tried-and-true" way of making a bead on a mandrel, and then attaching your pendant right to it. Just make sure that the two pieces are truly bonded together. At least that way you won't be upset by "messing up" the final step!
BTW: Paula makes her loops on her awesome implosions pendants this way - I just received one from her, and it is stunnung/gorgeous!

That's also the way I teach my beginning pendant classes. Most people are already comfortable making a bead on a mandrel, so it eliminates some of the worry from making the pendant.

[e. mort]

Have you tried cranking your oxygen up and turning your propane down to burn off the metallic layer? I've had decent success doing that.

I tried the super oxy flame and then worked a little farther out as well, and I am finally seeing the blue. I thought I was using enough oxy before with my delta, but evidently I was incorrect. Thanks again for the feedback.

Eric