LOTS of opinions needed on frit please

[Lorraine Chandler]

Hi everyone, I am about to jump into the frit business..( I think) 8-[ and I need everyones opinions on how you like your frit shipped to you and in what and why? That is important with shipping costs going up almost daily it seems!!

Do you prefer plastic, metal or glass containers?

Tall or short? Flat? Round? ???

Twist lids, Push down lids? Cork stoppers or?

Would you like a small inexpensive wall or tabletop rack to hold them in to be an option to purchase or do most of you have a system figured out already?
Fancy labels or plain labels..no labels just a number?

DOESN'T matter just send me my frit as cheaply as possible in a plastic baggies saving me some money ( for more frit of course) and I will take care of the containers myself.

Do you like the fancy color names, fancy labels, fancy little jars and will pay for it??

Please let me know what you all think. It will help me a bunch in deciding which path to take in start-up production. Subject to change later.\\:D/
Thank-you Thank-you Thank-you

******UPDATE*********
I bumped this thread because I wanted to give everyone an update. I finally have the frits at the testers and I am working on my website now..it is all slow going but so far so good. After lots of consideration I decided I needed to do what was best for me in the making of the frits and what do what would fit into my lifestyle and space...so I have decided to make up a blend and sell it in what I call the one scoop size. It will be in a labeled baggie and you can ask for a second label if you wish.

I have a very small space so I am going to do something a little different..similar to odd lot Vetrofond and Effetre rod sales. I will make a blend, put all of it up on my website and when it is gone, it is gone! There will be at least a new color every month hopefully two or more when I get the hang of it. I have only 60 bags of my first color. DH is telling me to double that...but I wanted to see how well the color blend is liked first. I will keep all of my recipes handy and if I get a lot of requests I can always bring back a favorite color as an encore color. I hope to have encore colors added every month also.

I know it is a different way to sell frit but it suits me and fits my current lifestyle and if DH and I have to sell our house and go into an RV full time ( toy hauler) I will have the room and still be able to do it this way. I will post a picture of the new blend at the end of this thread because I do not see anyway to attach it here?....
Thank-you
Lorraine

[Wendyki]

I like bags and jars and wouldnt care if it were eithar. I like a label that shows the frit eithar how it looks on white glass or in chunk form and i would love the labels on the side of the glass so i can see them while torching and grab whatever appeals to me at that time.

I prefer priority shipping because I am impatient and want my frit now:) but would also like first class.

if you ship creativly and put a bunch of the bags or jars in one of the smaller priority boxes it will fit in the flat rate envelope for only 4.60 :)

good luck

[Lorraine Chandler]

Thank-you much..I appreciate it. This is really going to help and thanks for the good wishes...

Lorraine

[NLC Beads]

I like jars with a baggie refill option... I have a drawer full of baggies but it seems too much work to shovel through to find one I want, jars are easier. The plastic short jars with the wide lids that everyone seems to use are lovely. BUT, if it only comes in jars I can use leftover/used jars to repack some of my baggies! Either way is great. Twist-off lids are good because they seem more secure, and I'm a klutz... Likewise on the plastic containers - easier to see colors through and how much I have, also.

As long as shipping is reasonably priced and product is securely packed, I don't mind waiting for the difference between priority and first class. I am a sucker for free shipping, I just ignore that it's already included in the price. ;)

Plain labels explaining COE, size, name, AND company it's from are great for me. I want to know where I should go to reorder or refer other people to if I like it. A fancy name is nice if it's distinctive, so I know which company in a heartbeat. I know Celestial is a favorite Glass Diversions frit, and my beloved Boro Bora is by Val Cox. Green #3 would be a little more ambiguous. ;)

Sample packs are a very, very good thing.

I like size 0 for floral and sheep bases, and don't use chunks much - if I'm pulling stringer from a chunk, I may as well order rods of that color.

I don't need a display unit or shelving, I have two plastic drawer thingies that holds them all relatively dust-free with no problems.

Hope this helps, good luck!

[Lorraine Chandler]

Oh my Gosh!! This is helping a lot ...Thanks Nikki! Terrific information.
Lorraine

[pipojasper]

I like the idea of buying it in a plastic bag to get more bang for my buck and then offering a container for $x.xx more. A wide mouthed metal container with a screw on top option would be nice so I can just open and dip. I am usually klutzy and when I've tried to do a quick dip into my plastic jars I've melted the edges #-o

Ditto everyone on the samplers.

A label is a must with all the info Nikki mentioned. Maybe leave just tape the sticky label to the bag so it can be applied to whatever container you may choose to use at home?

I enjoy the blend names. I like trying to picture the colors of a hawaiian sunset or turning leaf etc.

Custom blend frits would be cool. I've wanted to create my own mix but I don't want to buy a big container of 3 or 4 different colors just to get the mix I want.

Hope that was a little help. Have fun and good luck :)

[SassyCassie]

I have 3 old spice racks that spin that I like to put my frit in. I would LOVE to be able to buy enought of a frit mix I like to actually fill the jars with a slight discount for having it sent in a baggie. I take the sticker that comes on the jar and stick it on the end of the spice rack jar so I still know what it is. So...the round stickers are convenient.

Maybe offering the option at checkout?

[capriole]

plastic bags with labels is just fine with me! Save on the shipping, I can do containers if I want. I use a great little jewelry scoop that works great with little ziplock bags.

Robin

[Lorraine Chandler]

SUPER GOOD IDEAS!!! I am getting so many tips. Thanks so much to all of you.

I have at least 5 MUST HAVES and they are all very good ones.

I will have to start with just a few color blends coming out each month and only one frit size option to start with so I need to know everyones frit size preference.

Does anyone like a colorful blend of two frit sizes??

Eventually I want to offer lots of options. \\:D/:waving:

Lorraine

[melissabeads]

I love the little jars with neat labels on them and having the option of a baggie refill to keep costs down. I am usually never in a hurry for supplies like this and it kills me to pay extra for priority, so shipping first class or having an option for pirority is a must for me..

This is a great idea.. especially if you wnat to keep costs down....
"A label is a must with all the info Nikki mentioned. Maybe leave just tape the sticky label to the bag so it can be applied to whatever container you may choose to use at home?"

and.. I would love to be a tester for you.. :-)

GOOD LUCK!

[bead crazy]

Do you prefer plastic, metal or glass containers? I would love to get frit in metal containers with screw lids they have a great magnet storage system at Ikea but I am affraid those containers that don't have screw on lids will fall off and my frit will go all over the table

Tall or short? Flat? Round? ??? round and flatter would be great then you could just dip in the container

Twist lids, Push down lids? Cork stoppers or? screw top for sure

Would you like a small inexpensive wall or tabletop rack to hold them in to be an option to purchase or do most of you have a system figured out already? It would be nice to be able to buy a couple different storage options available that your jars would work with.

Fancy labels or plain labels..no labels just a number? Name would be better

DOESN'T matter just send me my frit as cheaply as possible in a plastic baggies saving me some money ( for more frit of course) and I will take care of the containers myself. It would be nice to have a option to not buy the container especially if it is to refill one you already have then that would give you extra money for frit

Do you like the fancy color names, fancy labels, fancy little jars and will pay for it?? I would love to see a picture of what the frit looks like or the top being clear I would pay for labels with what the frit looks like maybe a picture of a bead on white

My ideal container would be metal with a clear top to see the frit, screw top if the top was clear then you could put the label on the top. You could also just put the label inside of the jar so the person could choose where to stick it for there storage system. You could even sell the containers too then people could change the frit they have if they want. I would like to see more options in 104 coe frit blends there is only one place that has this. Good luck I can't wait to see what you come up with.

[Lorraine Chandler]

Thanks Lori..Some great ideas there I am considering..:wink:

Melissa thanks for the offer..Pm'd you!
Lorraine

[Deb]

Do you prefer plastic, metal or glass containers?
Plastic
Tall or short? Flat? Round? ???
Short (no taller than what Valcox uses) and round
Twist lids, Push down lids? Cork stoppers or?
Twist
Would you like a small inexpensive wall or tabletop rack to hold them in to be an option to purchase or do most of you have a system figured out already?
Already have a system
Fancy labels or plain labels..no labels just a number?
Labels with a pic of what frit looks like on white glass
DOESN'T matter just send me my frit as cheaply as possible in a plastic baggies saving me some money ( for more frit of course) and I will take care of the containers myself.
Sample sizes are great! Baggies option with a slight discount for refills would be nice.
Do you like the fancy color names, fancy labels, fancy little jars and will pay for it??
Names help me remember what the frit looks like. Label doesn't have to be fancy, but a pic of the frit color on white, the COE, and the vendor name would be very helpful. Jars don't have to be fancy. Plain, transparent plastic with a screw lid would be my first choice.

[Peach Blossom Beads]

I like jars with a baggie refill option... I have a drawer full of baggies but it seems too much work to shovel through to find one I want, jars are easier. The plastic short jars with the wide lids that everyone seems to use are lovely. BUT, if it only comes in jars I can use leftover/used jars to repack some of my baggies! Either way is great. Twist-off lids are good because they seem more secure, and I'm a klutz... Likewise on the plastic containers - easier to see colors through and how much I have, also.

As long as shipping is reasonably priced and product is securely packed, I don't mind waiting for the difference between priority and first class. I am a sucker for free shipping, I just ignore that it's already included in the price. ;)

Plain labels explaining COE, size, name, AND company it's from are great for me. I want to know where I should go to reorder or refer other people to if I like it. A fancy name is nice if it's distinctive, so I know which company in a heartbeat. I know Celestial is a favorite Glass Diversions frit, and my beloved Boro Bora is by Val Cox. Green #3 would be a little more ambiguous. ;)

Sample packs are a very, very good thing.

I like size 0 for floral and sheep bases, and don't use chunks much - if I'm pulling stringer from a chunk, I may as well order rods of that color.

I don't need a display unit or shelving, I have two plastic drawer thingies that holds them all relatively dust-free with no problems.

Hope this helps, good luck!

I completely agree with everything Nicky said and I;m glad she said it - now I don't have to type it.

Really, I think if you stick to these few things, everyone will already be acclimated to it since the popular frit vendors pretty much do all these things. This way people will order from you and not have any issues that go along with "growing pains" and getting use to someone new. KWIM? Does that make sense?

[Jamn!]

Yup I like the wide mouth short jars like Val uses! They are nice because you can get the frit in and out easily. :)

[NLC Beads]

I prefer one size at a time - 0 and 1 are my favorites. The only one I use mixed is my copper green I make myself for my turquoise mine beads, it gives a better organic look.

[Lorraine Chandler]

Okay Ladies..I'am hearing you. :idea:

Sometimes you want to do a little something different to stand out from the crowd. I not sure what that is going to be just yet. But I will think of something and not so drastic as to create "growing pains" getting used to a new frit supplier.:-P :waving:

Thanks so much for all of the info, I am really getting some major ideas down.
This is helping tremendously and I appreciate it.
Lorraine

[Allie_T]

I prefer the glass jar option because you sometimes can melt the plastic ones if you get too close. Also like the option of refill bags. Like the idea of having bags and perhaps labels for those not wanting to have to buy jars of any sort, though.

[Peach Blossom Beads]

Oooo. I don't like glass jars. They break. The wide plastic ones like Val's are perfect.

Allie - Keep your jars away form your flame! lol! I don't want to see you set yourself on fire. That wouldn't be good. And yes, refill baggies are great. Esp. if it saves on shipping &/or the cost of frit.

[mostlydetails]

I don't usually buy frit in baggies unless I'm getting a kilo or half, but I think it would be o.k. for sample packs and refillables. My favorite jars are Val's 3.5 oz size. I think once you get the weight of several of these jars, Priority Mail is your only real shipping option.

As for frit size, I like bigger chunks #1 or even #2 on something reactive, but smaller #0 on regular colors. I don't really like the mixed sizes. It always seems you end up with a big chunk where you don't want it.

Hope that helps!

ETA: Gotta have a descriptive label! Again, I like Val's best.

[SquareOneBeads]

Nicky said it best I think. I love frit so would be more than happy to be a tester if you need more.

[susanlambert]

If you want plastic containers look at Pinzart. She is selling off her stock and closing shop, and has all kinds of little jars for sale.
http://pinzart.zoovy.com/product/P-004/1_oz_plastic_jars_with_lids_doz.html
she says she has thousands...

[Lorraine Chandler]

WoW!!! Thanks everyone, this is great. I got some very good info from Melissa when I pm'd her and I am now formulating a plan of action.

Heather..I Pm'd you!

Lorraine

[StOrM]

these containers are about .52 cents a piece. I quite like them and they are clear plastic and have screw tops.......i have ordered from this company and had great delivery...very fast and efficient customer service

http://www.pandahall.com/wholesale-beads-findings-item/clear-round-plactic-beads-cont____item__pct-pctj-000067___category__506___parent__489.html

these one are 7cm in diameter and 3.6 cm high

[Lorraine Chandler]

Thanks for the bottle input!! I appreciate that.

Lorraine

[Allie_T]

Oooo. I don't like glass jars. They break. The wide plastic ones like Val's are perfect.

Allie - Keep your jars away form your flame! lol! I don't want to see you set yourself on fire. That wouldn't be good. And yes, refill baggies are great. Esp. if it saves on shipping &/or the cost of frit.

Val started doing glass jars when I was still mad about buying frit (had to take a 12 step program to wean myself off frit buying LOL). I found that I would sometimes melt the side of the plastic frit jar when tilting it and sticking molten glass in the frit (yes, I know I could use a frit thingymyjiggy to put frit in and then roll the melted glass but I don't often do that). That's why I started buying glass jars and prefer them. I keep the frit jars away from the torch in my twin frit towers.

[Lorraine Chandler]

There seems to be pros and cons to everything spoken of here on this thread....LOL

Looks like a lot of frit users prefer being able to dip and roll right from jar..Hummmm, I am a sprinkler...I like to sprinkle what I want on my marver, and then put the leftover back into the jar.

Sooo many decisions I need to make#-o#-o

Lorraine

[Jamn!]

I use a mini muffin tin for my frits! :)

[bead crazy]

Oooo. I don't like glass jars. They break. The wide plastic ones like Val's are perfect.

Allie - Keep your jars away form your flame! lol! I don't want to see you set yourself on fire. That wouldn't be good. And yes, refill baggies are great. Esp. if it saves on shipping &/or the cost of frit.

Val started doing glass jars when I was still mad about buying frit (had to take a 12 step program to wean myself off frit buying LOL). I found that I would sometimes melt the side of the plastic frit jar when tilting it and sticking molten glass in the frit (yes, I know I could use a frit thingymyjiggy to put frit in and then roll the melted glass but I don't often do that). That's why I started buying glass jars and prefer them. I keep the frit jars away from the torch in my twin frit towers.

Why would metal not be a option if you like to dip. Then you would not have to worry about melting plastic and not worry about glass breaking. I would buy and change all nmine to metal if I could find screw on lids.

I forgot to say I like size one frit the best. I think that is what most of the colors of vals are.

[Kevan]

Round and short big mouth containers. It's really hard to get the frit back into a tall jar with a small mouth.

Baggies with labels are good too. Again, baggies with big openings not little ones. I use the frit in those little tiny SS gravy boats and I can just pour it back in.

[artwhim]

A little sample of a color not ordered is always a good lead-in to the next purchase.

Plastic jars are great. I buy them from US Plastics for the bulk frit. No matter how many I order, I always seem to run out. :) Don't like to store frit in baggies.

Sample beads are really important. It would be great if you could show the frit on several base colors. Many frits work very well on ivory, but often people assume they will just turn black. Really good information and samples will sell more frit.

I prefer blends in size 1 and solids in 0 and 1. Since most of the opaques don't contain as much lead as the transparents, if I am putting them on 104 I don't want anything over a 1, especially on a small bead. I don't mind transparent blends in a 2 though.

Good luck!

[Sue H-K]

Do you prefer plastic, metal or glass containers?
Plastic, clear

Tall or short? Flat? Round? ???
short, wide mouthed
Twist lids, Push down lids? Cork stoppers or?
twist lid
Would you like a small inexpensive wall or tabletop rack to hold them in to be an option to purchase or do most of you have a system figured out already?
A rack option would be nice
Fancy labels or plain labels..no labels just a number?
plain labels are fine
DOESN'T matter just send me my frit as cheaply as possible in a plastic baggies saving me some money ( for more frit of course) and I will take care of the containers myself.
I like the idea of selecting baggie or jar at the time of checkout.

Do you like the fancy color names, fancy labels, fancy little jars and will pay for it?? fancy labels and all that aren't important to me

[Beadbug]

I am not a frit pro but got some for christmas and have been loving them.

I agree with the short jar with baggie refill option.
I like the size 1 frit
Love to have a photo on the lable
maybe free shipping if your order is over --- dollars?

[Lorraine Chandler]

Thanks everyone...I am enjoying all of the ideas....\\:D/
Lorraine

[Listenup]

I'm like you, I sprinkle my frit on a marver to use. I prefer size 1. Since I have so much frit, I prefer to store mine in plastic bags. If you do go into the frit business, please drop me a PM if you're interested in being included in my frit reference project.

[Lorraine Chandler]

Thanks for the offer Kay..I will do that..and I appreciate all of the comments.

That said...:badgrin: we realize after all of the responses to to my thread questions we are not going to please all of the people all of the time...

but we do see some wants/desires repeated over and over and those are the ones we are addressing now. Going with the majority.

I may offer frit in baggies and offer two different containers with nice labels to go with them as an add on purchase.

So the baggie people will be happy...less on shipping, choose their own jars if they want

And the dippers and self professed klutzes will be happy choosing a wide mouth container with a twist lid

And the Fancy Fritters will be happy choosing a beautiful glass jar with a fancy label and pay extra of course..

This way everybodies happy and I will not go into the poor house right away!!!

***************************

Not gonna happen anytime soon!!!

I just cannot afford to do all of that but it would be ideal wouldn't it?? Maybe a goal for the future??? SOWWRY for the tease...:lol::lol::hide:

So now we have to choose just one way....not going to work for everyone but it will get our blends out there and then we can work up to the above or I may just surprise you all with something innovative and unique..and then again, maybe not. :-\"

We have a lot of work to do ahead of us and lots of decisions to make and I really appreciate the input. It helps to keep us focused.

Lorraine

[lunamoonshadow]

Everything Nikki Said.

I use a mini SS gravy boat (actually, Nikki sent me 4 of 'em!) like Kevan does (omg) for my frits...they rock. If you offered those for sale, I'd bet they'd sell well. It works great for pouring frit back into baggies & jars when you're done too! (and I can fill it up with a good heap of frit to play with too)

I don't like keeping frit in baggies--one of my cats chews plastic & it makes me nervous!

~luna
frit addict...particularly addicted to frit *samplers* like Gail @ ggglass.com offers (the teaspoonful size of new blends in little baggies so you can try new colors!) & Candy @ beadgoodies.com offers (pick 6 half-ounces for a low price)--it helps me decide what I want to buy full jars of!!

[Lorraine Chandler]

I'll have to see if I can find those mini gravy boats wholesale. I have heard them mentioned quite a few times.

Thanks for the info..''Lorraine

[NLC Beads]

I found the frit gravy bowls at Big Lots - $1 each.

[Maria Louisa]

Hi Lorraine,
My favorite jars are Val's 3.5 oz size.
Wish I could find some boxes to buy for myself:-k.
My favorite size is # 1
I really like the fancy labels and the refill opportunity.
And if you need a tester :-D I'm always happy to do this.

[Lorraine Chandler]

Thanks so much for all of the info.

Thanks Maria Louisa for the offer....I am sending you a P.M.

Lorraine

[lunamoonshadow]

Make sure you have at least one hothead tester, or put hothead information on the frits too---it's great to know which ones work well on hotheads! (it's one of the reasons I love Kay's frit pages so much--her testers are all made on a hothead!!) Frit doesn't work exactly the same on a single fuel torch & it's nice to have an idea how it's going to behave before getting piles of it (another reason I adore those sampler options!)

[RawhideArtist]

Altoids Sours metal tins. This is the only container I can open with one hand when I have a piece of hot glass in the other hand. These lids pop open when you push on the correct edge. They also hold at least 2 ounces so there's plenty for the day's events.

[bead crazy]

I sure wish someone would come up with tons of 104 frit blends there is only on place to buy the 104 frit blends from and there is not alot of colors.

What about a option of letting the person make a custom blend themself.

Does not look like I will get frits in metal containters anytime soon can someone tell me were to find metal screw on lid ?

[Listenup]

Does not look like I will get frits in metal containters anytime soon can someone tell me were to find metal screw on lid ?

http://www.sks-bottle.com/340c/fin7d.html

[Lorraine Chandler]

Okay, here are some pics as promised.. It is a beautiful blend of blues and green blues. Each label will be different in colors and the color block behind the color names will be as close to the frit color as I can get it.

I hope they are well received and that you all will enjoy buying frit a different way. They will be sold in one scoop baggies only, I will make up one batch and when they are gone they ARE GONE! I will try to produce two colors a month with an encore color..whichever one is most requested. It will be like the odd lot Vetrofond and Effetre colors. Get em' while you can sort of thing..

I am currently trying to get my website up, Rain Dance is at the testers right now so hopefully it will all come together soon.

We may have to move or go into an RV at any given time and this way fits my lifestyle perfectly and if we go into a toy hauler I can still do it this way as it does not take up that much room. But I just wanted to make frits. I have so many color ideas and then also all of the requests for Spiral dance blends and some others that have gone out of the business. This is the only way I can do it for now.

I do have a HH tester along with three other testers so I will always rate the frit for you..easy to difficult and best way to work it and if it does not play nice with a HH etc. I will put as much into the description as I can.

I apologize to the buyers who said they did not want a new way... Liked the old way of buying frit and to the buyers who wanted jars and tins and lids to dip in etc. etc.

I just can't do it that way right now. Sorry...if I have disappointed anyone.:sad:
Lorraine

[simvet02]

I would prefer the wide flat metal container with the screw on lid so I can dip and go. A label on top with a picture of what the frit looks like and and what it looks like melted onto a white bead would allow me to visualize what was inside so I wouldn't have to open it.
I'm just starting out with frit. So far all I have are the small sample baggies and I have to sit there and try to get them open before I can even use them.
Do those of you who prefer baggies transfer the frit to another container or do you sprinkle it on a marver?

I just use a cut up veggie can. Both ends off, cut in half. Nice curve to it. Plentiful. Inexpensive. And the frit dumps right back into the small baggie.

Not pickie about mailing but would appreciate a discount for ordering a second time and not needing the container.

[crystalflipz]

Lorraine,
Beautiful color! How can I order some?

[Lorraine Chandler]

Carol I PM'd you...Thanks so much for the kind words..
Lorraine

Jan, A lot of frit buyers like baggies and put the frit in their own containers..I do because it fits my space better. That is why I am offering an extra label if needed.

I have also finally decided on prices and it will be $6.00 for the first bag and $11.00 for two. Shipping is a flat $2.00 to the lower 48. I can ship anyway anyone wants...just let me know.;) but the $2.00 is just regular small package mail.

Lorraine

[lunamoonshadow]

How many ounces in a "scoop"? (actually, how much does that baggie weigh?) I don't mind buying frit in baggies, but $6 + $2 shipping for a single color/blend if it's not *weighed* & I don't know how much I'm actually getting makes me a little hesitant...ya know? (Particularly when there are vendors who offer blends for $4.25 an ounce, in a jar, free shipping, & the same blends for $3.25 an ounce if you take them "without the jar, in a baggie")

[Lorraine Chandler]

I totally understand your concerns.

I would say my scoop holds about two of Val's really popular Ample sample bags. Vals sample bags are $3.00 if I remember correctly.

Susan Sheehans 1 ounce sample bag is 10.50 so I feel I am pricing very reasonably and if you were to weigh all of the different sizes out there and compare them with shipping, without shipping, with containers with out containers and the quality of the frits offered I think you would too. I know this because I did it and I am very comfortable with my choices for my frit business.

These are very complex blends of usually 7 or more colors made with Reichenbach premium 96 coe glass . There is a lot of work and testing involved in these frit blends

I can tell you that the feedback from my testers as been very positive so far.

Lorraine