*Pity Party* Lauscha purple cracks [Archive]

AKDesigns

2006-12-28, 3:31pm

Just thought I'd invite you all to my pity party. I'm already having a kinda crappy day and now all my work yesterday is ruined. I haven't used my opaque Lauscha purple in over a year because of crazing cracks I got but I thought I'd use it as a surface decoration, work it extra hot, saturate it with heat and put it in an extra hot kiln (1100 degrees) and baby it through annealing. I did 5 beads the other day and all were fine (turns out one does have a small crack) and then did 9 yesterday. Most of the cracks are so hard to see, I had to be in direct sunlight turning the beads this way and that and then I could see very minute cracking. These are the worst...I figured the one in the middle didn't need any arrows...

52539

The base is primarily Moretti transparent violet ink blue but I did but up some Lauscha opaque purple on some of the ends and those cracks were the worst. Does anyone use this glass successfully? And if you do do you check it really good for small minute cracks? I'm tossing my Lauscha opaque purple unless anyone wants it for free....just pay postage.

Amy

kimberly

2006-12-28, 3:57pm

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm. I have found it makes nice, single colored spacers.

gwacie

2006-12-28, 4:37pm

That sux big. I don't think I've ever had crazing with my Lauscha opaque purple (the one that is perfect with Effetre Ink Blue). Wonder why it's doing that to you.

chrissij

2006-12-28, 4:41pm

What Lauscha purple is that? I was just gifted with a pound of the Hawaiin (spelling?) Purple as my birthday/Christmas present. Looks like a more purplish perwinkle to me.

AKDesigns

2006-12-28, 4:58pm

Jo-Del renamed it Hawaiian Purple and Lauscha Lady named it Violet-Blue but yes, it's all the same color.

lunamoonshadow

2006-12-28, 5:30pm

ME!!! I want it!!! (I love purple....and I'll just make spacers with it...lol)

dragon myst

2006-12-28, 5:45pm

Big Hugs !

chrissij

2006-12-28, 5:56pm

Jo-Del renamed it Hawaiian Purple and Lauscha Lady named it Violet-Blue but yes, it's all the same color.

Well isn't that a boo-freakin'-hiss!?!?!?

Kevan

2006-12-28, 6:05pm

I have some of that purple but I don't know if I have tried to encase it. Maybe I will tonight and see what happens.

I find it hard to photograph for some reason.It always looks blue.

lunamoonshadow

2006-12-28, 6:08pm

I think that happened to Kaye last year with a gorgeous set of coral & purple beads she made with that purple too...they all did that cracking/crazing thing...it was sad 'cause they were really pretty...

I *love* that silver on those beads Amy--what is it? (you don't have to tell if you don't want to ;)). Those are amazingly pretty...so sad they were naughty & cracked :(.

AKDesigns

2006-12-28, 6:20pm

Thanks to everyone for coming to my party! The purple is spoken for so thanks for the interest...just don't come cryin' to me when it cracks!

The silver glass is ASK mystic grey. Now don't buy it expecting it to do the metallic thing because it doesn't happen at the torch....it happens in my kiln. The same thing happens with morrocan swirl and desert chamelian and I've seen other beads with morrocan swirl and no metallic sheen on it. I think I just have a magic kiln...I love the silver sheen on the mystic grey! Another reason I was so freakin' sad about these beads. Enough survived to make myself a killer bracelet though.

lldesigns

2006-12-28, 6:25pm

Oh man that sux - such pretty beads! :(

Lisi

2006-12-28, 6:31pm

I use it with Efftre white and silvered dark ivory stringer, small amounts and on the surface. No problems yet, that I'm aware of! Yikes...this is making me nervous!

Solana

2006-12-28, 6:49pm

I had the same issue with this color after making a set of seafoam and purple beads. I didn't know the color wasn't fully compatible at the time. :( Now the color just sits there in case I need spacers. LOL!

AKDesigns

2006-12-28, 6:51pm

Lisi

2006-12-28, 9:11pm

Pretty beads Stephanie. It may also be a batch thing. This is the first batch that came after that long dry spell when Glassdaddy had been out of purple for 18 months or so. Then he finally got some in and it was this bluish version. I know there have been batches since then and maybe they're fine and maybe they're not. I've had this for a couple years now and only used it three times, twice with disasterous results.

I've had mine for about a year. It looks like periwinkle, only darker and more purpley. Still nervous, lol! I've made a few sets like these and so far no emails! I do keep them lying around for a while before I sell them, so that's a good thing.

AKDesigns

2006-12-28, 9:30pm

Lisi

2006-12-28, 9:43pm

I think all the batches since that dry spell look the same, a purpley periwinkle. If you've only had yours a year you may have a newer batch than I do so maybe it is a batch thing...however, I think I'll do without this color from now on!

The only other Lauscha colors I have are a few reds, clear, and some black. I tend to shy away from the glass because of a COE of 102-105??! You would think they would shoot for better compatability within their own line!

I had some of that Lauscha peach a looong time ago and I mixed a cane of Effetre coral and white to make this pretty peach swirl which I put over a base of the Lauscha = crackle city! The damn beads looked like crackle glass! :(

The rods that I do have other than the purple, I use with frits. I'm too afraid to use other 104 COE glass with it.

artwhim

2006-12-29, 12:24am

I seem to have good luck using it with opaque glass, but as soon as transparents are involved the cracking begins. What a shame, your beads were beautiful.

AKDesigns

2006-12-29, 12:29am

Well thanks to everyone for joining my party. I've opened up a couple bottles of whine so drink up...it's on me!

scootrgrl

2011-05-24, 6:17pm

I just did 11 beads with that purple and effetre ink blue spots. 9 out of the 11 have very faint cracks too. Sigh...I don't know if I should turn the temp up on the annealing schedule or not. Any one with tips? I have alot of this glass and I have a customer that wants some beads with it.

Janet

AKDesigns

2011-05-24, 6:21pm

If you read my post my kiln was at 1100 degrees and the beads went in glowing.

scootrgrl

2011-05-24, 7:44pm

If you read my post my kiln was at 1100 degrees and the beads went in glowing.

Thanks Amy, I did read it but wasn't sure if you had success with the purple after you turned it up to 1100? Can you also put other beads that are not Lauscha in the kiln at the same time that are 104? I also wonder if I didn't use a press if I would have better success with them...it's a strange glass!

Janet

AKDesigns

2011-05-24, 7:50pm

Thanks Amy, I did read it but wasn't sure if you had success with the purple after you turned it up to 1100? Can you also put other beads that are not Lauscha in the kiln at the same time that are 104? I also wonder if I didn't use a press if I would have better success with them...it's a strange glass!

Janet

Those were put in a 1100 degree kiln. I used that temp a lot and I could put most beads in but I usually use a transparent as a base. If you used white or ivory or another pastel as a base you couldn't use that high of a kiln temp because they would probably slump. And you're right, not pressing them could make a difference too. I gave up after those beads. I stopped using Lauscha all together.

scootrgrl

2011-05-24, 7:59pm

Those were put in a 1100 degree kiln. I used that temp a lot and I could put most beads in but I usually use a transparent as a base. If you used white or ivory or another pastel as a base you couldn't use that high of a kiln temp because they would probably slump. And you're right, not pressing them could make a difference too. I gave up after those beads. I stopped using Lauscha all together.

Thanks for the info Amy, I just really like the color and now I'm sad if I can't get the damn stuff to work for me....sigh! I will persist and see if I can do some magic with it tomorrow. I've already had a custom request for them and it's paid for so I will have to try and get them to work. I would hate to tell my customer that she can't have them due to cracking.

janet

AKDesigns

2011-05-24, 8:01pm

Good luck!

FyreFiend

2011-05-24, 8:21pm

I have used "Hawiian Purple" successfully by making a base bead out of the purple, and making very small accent dots on top. Another use of the glass is to use frit lightly with it. I have some beads that are made with Amazon frit and I have had them for a couple of years. I think that the dots or frit are less likely to crack that a complete encasing, or even just a stringer around the bead. (I have had stringer crack, too.)

Another Lausha purple that cracks is the Violet Striker. Not one of my favorite colors anyway, but I was disappointed when I opened the annealer one morning...:-|

sansan239s

2011-05-24, 8:42pm

WOW...any Lauscha dealers out there, that might want to chime in regarding this purple problem? I've always wanted to try this purple but if there's nothing but cracking, forgot it. :pout:

Has anyone had any problems with the purple being used with other Lauscha colors?:-k

PaulaD

2011-05-25, 7:31am

I am a dealer and I sell piles of that color. So far none of it has been returned and no one has complained about it. I have also used it a few times without any trouble. Maybe it was a batch thing. Btw, most colors are 104 except for one of the yellows which is a little higher. I have an annealing schedule on my website if anyone needs it.

eta. Thanks for the heads up. I won't order that color again!!!

Truewealth

2011-05-25, 7:36am

Afterdark

2011-05-25, 8:42am

Nothing a good glass of wine can't fix - then get back on the saddle tomorrow!! ;-]

Lauscha has been banned form my glass collection- too many issues for me.

scootrgrl

2011-05-25, 10:58am

I have this color and have also noticed small cracks....used it with some 104 murrini and almost every piece has cracks. They seem to develop over a period of time...not immediately.

Here's a pic of one of my smaller cabochons with a murrini on it...showing how it cracked...this is not encased.

238976

Yup....that's what mine looked like too...just fine cracks all over the bead, it's hard to see them with the naked eye...I had to use my magnifying light and inspect each one of them.

Janet

AKDesigns

2011-05-25, 11:14am

Yep, there was another thread with Carolyn (?) or Carolann ...sorry, I can't remember her name off hand...with Lauscha. I posted more pictures in that thread too. It doesn't happen with every glass you use with it, only some. Copper Green and white definitely cause cracking. The cracks can happen a coupe of weeks after making the bead and can be so very fine you may not even notice them. This also may be a batch problem. Just look at the date of my OP. I don't know if maybe a new batch now is cracking again or if it's always cracked. I'm thinking that a lot of beads got purchased and sent out before they even started cracking...

nickandryan

2011-05-25, 11:28am

Unfortunately I have had this problem also. I only bought one rod, thank goodness, it has cracked with Lauscha transp purple, lauscha clear, Ink blue and one of the Effetre dark violet (don't remember which one) then I gave up. I made a spacer for my color reference collection and it is still fine:) Too bad, it's a nice color. Laura

AKDesigns

2011-05-25, 12:15pm

tracidawn78

2011-05-25, 12:25pm

No idea which Lauscha purple this is. I got a gift pack from someone full of Lauscha rods for the AGLF play date. I made a lot of beads like this with murrini from Jet Age. There are these cracks right next to the murrini on all of them. You can physically feel the crack.

Should point out they were put in the kiln glowing hot, and the kiln was at a higher than normal temp. Now I have all these beads for the AGLF that I'm scared to list because I can feel these cracks.

http://lampworketc.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=286&pictureid=4003

http://lampworketc.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=286&pictureid=4002

MaryBeth

2011-05-25, 12:45pm

I love this color but I reserve it for non-torched embellishments like gold decals.

I had a set made of this with coral and purple. I sold a couple then later put the leftovers in an orphan batch. After being received by the customer they just split in half. I garage and anneal at about 980 so I'm pretty sure that isn't the problem! I think that Kaye (Kaye in Oregon also had problems with that same color combination).

Here's what I do with it with decals (you put them on cold then you have to refire the bead in the kiln):

239013

xtweeksx

2011-05-25, 6:12pm

I had the same problem with the purple a few yrs back, either small cracks or breaking in half and haven't used it since. Shame as its a lovely colour.

The first lot of purple I had was great with no problems.

squid

2011-05-25, 6:23pm

Lauscha = no :lol:

AKDesigns

2011-05-25, 7:28pm

Lauscha = no :lol:

Totally. The colors are gorgeous but it just comes with too many headaches.

Truewealth

2011-05-26, 5:37am

Yup....that's what mine looked like too...just fine cracks all over the bead, it's hard to see them with the naked eye...I had to use my magnifying light and inspect each one of them.

Janet

Yeah, they are fine cracks...but seem to grow larger. I spotted them after shooting my pics in macro mode and editing the pics..then they seemed to become more visible and definately 'felt' when you rub over the glass.

I had also already set a few of my cabs in some silver bezel cups/into a piece of jewelry...when I went back for final polish....the cabs were all cracked.

I'm thinking I need to contact a few of my customers who purchased a bead made from this glass...just to make sure they're still okay.

scootrgrl

2011-05-26, 9:51am

Yeah, they are fine cracks...but seem to grow larger. I spotted them after shooting my pics in macro mode and editing the pics..then they seemed to become more visible and definately 'felt' when you rub over the glass.

I had also already set a few of my cabs in some silver bezel cups/into a piece of jewelry...when I went back for final polish....the cabs were all cracked.

I'm thinking I need to contact a few of my customers who purchased a bead made from this glass...just to make sure they're still okay.

I just emailed my customer that already paid for them and told her what happened and offered a refund or replacement in another purple type glass, I have Thai Orchid CIM glass that is purple but more of a plum. She said that was fine thank god!

janet

Truewealth

2011-05-26, 9:59am

I just emailed my customer that already paid for them and told her what happened and offered a refund or replacement in another purple type glass, I have Thai Orchid CIM glass that is purple but more of a plum. She said that was fine thank god!

janet

That's great Janet....I love great customers like that!

2tumblingdragonz

2011-05-26, 3:13pm

If you read my post my kiln was at 1100 degrees and the beads went in glowing.

I'm curious Amy, how long did you hold at 1100 and how did you ramp down and over how long? What size were the beads?

namaste
Rowyn

emoon

2011-05-26, 3:31pm

AAAaaaackkk! The upside is that your catastrophe got a cuppla bottles of wine opened...there's always an upside!! =D>

AKDesigns

2011-05-26, 4:26pm

I'm curious Amy, how long did you hold at 1100 and how did you ramp down and over how long? What size were the beads?

namaste
Rowyn

This thread is 4 1/2 years old. My annealing schedule was conservative back then and is more so now. But I honesty can't give you specifics from that long ago.

Elizabeth Beads

2011-05-26, 8:20pm

Wow, a 4 and a half year old thread - and I just recently bought a lb. of this color to make purple hearts for BOC. I checked my beads and sure enough I found some tiny hairline cracks on two of them. $#!+!!!

I guess I will be making lots of purple spacers - or do those crack too?

Edited to add, I just read the other thread - did anyone determine if the bigger rods were the culprit? The ones I made that cracked were made with the big rods. The lb. I just bought is the skinny stuff. Guess I will do some test beads and find out.

carolanne

2011-05-30, 11:34pm

Here's the link to the other thread.
http://lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73701
Post 72 on page three has another picture of a bead I did with cracks. Carolanne wouldn't accept the fact that Lauscha purple has a cracking problem.

Oh, i accepted that it cracked for you for sure but i gave up plenty of my free time showing exactly how it didn't crack for me. I posted my annealing schedule in that other thread and made the beads using purple, moretti ivory and amber per your instructions. I tried to help the entire time. What I don't understand is that if it didn't work for you then, and didn't work again for you this time, why waste your sizable talent and time trying to use it again? You make fabulous beads! Why give up your precious time for a glass that doesn't work for you ?I don't work at the factory anymore - found a full-time good paying job elsewhere and am renovating a house from 1760 so I can't get to my studio until October, but the other thread has my pictures - that is only my personal experience with the glass. Anyways, i am up on the North Sea coast for a week of well deserved vacation... I wish I could help, but I did all I could already in that other thread. My kiln scghedule is posted. It worked for me and is there should anyone choose to try it.
And if any particular glass ever doesn't work for me after a good 3 earnest efforts, I don't buy anymore of that colour, and don't use it anymore. I could conplain, but frankly, I don't have the time... That beautiful Moretti is still on my shelf because it's so shocky:-( but frit is also nice to have!;-)

Wishing you all good weather from the faraway North Sea coast of Germany, with smiles from, Carol Anne

Melinda

2011-05-31, 12:11am

I have this color and have also noticed small cracks....used it with some 104 murrini and almost every piece has cracks. They seem to develop over a period of time...not immediately.

Here's a pic of one of my smaller cabochons with a murrini on it...showing how it cracked...this is not encased.

238976

well there goes my idea of turning the cracked beads into cabs.

flamemoth

2011-05-31, 1:51am

Wow, a 4 and a half year old thread - and I just recently bought a lb. of this color to make purple hearts for BOC. I checked my beads and sure enough I found some tiny hairline cracks on two of them. $#!+!!!.

That's so unacceptable that they have not addressed this or taken it off the market..no more lauscha for me either.
Doesn't matter how delicious the colors are if you can't work with it.

Rareripes

2011-05-31, 6:13am

If you are talking about the Super Nova ..I have not had that crack but have not used it too much.It is a beautiful stringer decoration too..but i have had clear cracking issues with the reformulated reg and soft.I found out after that the kilm temp was supposed to be way higher..so I have yet to try that.I do love the Lauscha colors and do want them to work..I got lots of it.

Elizabeth Beads

2011-05-31, 7:58am

That's so unacceptable that they have not addressed this or taken it off the market..no more lauscha for me either.
Doesn't matter how delicious the colors are if you can't work with it.

Wait, as I said, "The ones I made that cracked were made with the big rods. The lb. I just bought is the skinny stuff."

The big rods were purchased second hand and could well be a few years old. I haven't yet melted the thinner ones.

I made some spacers and some frit beads with the big rods yesterday and so far, so good, no cracks.

The ones that cracked had other glass melted in and cracked where the different glasses met.

AKDesigns

2011-05-31, 9:45am

What I don't understand is that if it didn't work for you then, and didn't work again for you this time, why waste your sizable talent and time trying to use it again? You make fabulous beads! Why give up your precious time for a glass that doesn't work for you ?e

This thread is four and a half years old. I haven't touched Lauscha since I stopped using it shortly after posting this. So no, I'm not wasting my time trying to use it again.

PaulaD

2011-06-01, 8:39am

That's so unacceptable that they have not addressed this or taken it off the market..no more lauscha for me either.
Doesn't matter how delicious the colors are if you can't work with it.

I have had Effetre (dark amber to be exact) that was not even compatible with itself (every bead of just dark amber cracked) and CiM colors that were not 100% compatible and they were not pulled off the market. I think what manufacturers try to do is remake the bead like Carol Anne did when she was at the factory. If they remake it and don't see a problem they don't pull the glass.
The thing about Lauscha glass is that there is an entire city in Germany, named Lauscha, where all of the inhabitants are glassmakers of one kind or another and they use this glass daily without any trouble. They also use fat rods regularly (as they do in Murano) as the fat rods are cheaper to buy. I don't understand why we have trouble here and they don't unless they are using different torches or annealing schedules or something.
I have not been there myself so don't really know the answer. But now I am curious and will try some of these combinations myself with the few rods of 14 mm purple that I have left. I have made many other Lauscha beads through the years that never cracked and was using Lauscha long before I became a dealer. I love the colors and If I never sell another rod I will be happy to keep it all for myself!!! :lol:

Truewealth

2011-06-01, 10:03am

My cocoa and black Lauscha as well as the blue steel has been fabulous...love it!! No issues at all in my beads or cabs.

The purple/blue as mentioned has been the only lauscha that I've had issues with in the cracking, when mixed with other colors. My rods are the larger ones...10-12 I think....it is a gorgeous color.....maybe the thinner rods won't have an issue. Either way..the larger purple rods will make some killer spacer beads!

So Paula...you can't keep it all to yourself!