Making Your Own Dichroic Cane???

[musicpg]

Hi, I've seen some really gorgeous beads on eBay lately created with Dichroic cane. I would really love to try and make some too but because the dichro is so expensive, I would really appreciate any advice before I get started. If anyone has tried this technique, please reply.
Thanks,
Pam

[JetAge Studio]

Could you post a link? I know of no one that can make their own dichro anything. (doesn't mean it cant happen)
Could it be a custom pulled cane with goldstone and another color or foil? Maybe the artist is just pulling the dichro sheet and using it as a stringer or something.....Hmmm
Renee

[Sue in Maine]

Dichroic glass is made in a vacuum.... I doubt anyone is making their own as it is an extensive process. Check out CBS (Coatings by Sandburg). There was an article on the process in either The Flow or The Annealer last year... I think The Annealer did an article on Sanburg.

Sue

[musicpg]

Hi, I'll find the artist on eBay and try to direct you to her work. She always states that she makes her own dichroic cane. I've never seen anyone else do that before.

[musicpg]

OK, I found her beads on eBay. Her name is Victoria Gail Lampwork Beads. If you go to eBay and look in the lampwork bead section (easier to go by "highest price" first), you'll see where she states that she makes her own cane and incorporates dichro into it.

[mandyjw]

Dichroic coating was created for the space program, it's quite an extensive process to coat the glass with it like Sue said.

I use a lot of dichroic glass in my beads, ok, I don't really make beads without dichroic glass in them! :D I use nothing but the clear strips. A hothead is great for dichroic glass. Make sure to keep the flame off the coated side and when you apply it to your beads apply it coated side down and encase any that is left on the surface. Use a very cool flame until it's all encased and lots of patience. It's really not hard after a bit of practice! Good luck!

[musicpg]

Hi Many, I've made lots of beads with dichro in them and I love the look. I'm talking about an artist who makes canes with dichro in them. That's what I would like to learn how to do. She sells her beads on eBay and goes by Victoria Gail Lampwork Beads. Her beads are magical. Check them out and if you have any suggestions as to how the heck she makes those canes, I'm all ears!!

[playswithfire104]

She says that she uses A LOT of dichroic to make the cane. And that "After layering the cane and more layers of dichroic"

Here's my guess - and it is only a guess. I'm thinking she makes cane using dichro - either rods or cut pieces - and the other colors like you would normally make cane. Then after laying her base she adds more dichro and other colors.

[Toni Lutman]

I didn't look up the beads mentioned, but I'd imagine that you would take a piece of dichro, encase it completely in a transparent or combination of transparents, and pull into cane that could then be used on beads. You might even try to keep it flattened as you melt it and pull into a ribbon so you can use it with the dichro side up so it will be more vibrant.

[musicpg]

Hi Nancy, I kind of thought that would be the process but still not totally sure. The dichro is only usuable on one side. Perhaps she encases the dichro, flips it and add another piece of dichro and then encases that. After both sides are encased...maybe then she pulls a cane??

[laserglass]

you can buy dichroic sheet glass, the kind used in fuseing, cut it in thin strips around 5mm wide and use it as you would use a lampworking rod. this type of glass is available in both 90 and 96 COE, is available in many colors and patterns, and can be purchased on either clear or black glass. here is a photo of some i cut up ( i make them short for rollups)

[musicpg]

Hi Mark, I've never seen this type of dichroic before. Is it coated on both sides? Does it have to be fired first? Does it burn off easily? Sorry about all the questions but you just may have answered my prayers and I want to make sure of it's properties before pulling cane with it. Where can I purchase this type of dichro?
Thanks so much!
Pam

[lldesigns]

Here is a link to one of her absolutely gorgeous sets. I don't think she makes cane with dichro in it. From her description it sounds like she makes canes from transparent combos and then uses dichro under the mixed cane colors.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VGB-Lampwork-Beads-Whisper-of-Mauve-Lg_W0QQitemZ120267501808QQihZ002QQcategoryZ34070QQ tcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

[musicpg]

Hi Mark, I just took a look at your studio and your work. I was very impressed with both! Your glass art is really beautiful.
Pam

[musicpg]

Hi Laurie, That's a very nice set of beads but not the ones that she makes with her dichro canes. Look at her auction up on eBay.She plainly states that she creates dichro canes. Thanks for the link. I LOVE her work.

[MaryBeth]

Yes, you can make dichro cane. You don't do the dichro coating yourself you need to start with a dichro strip. You need the kind where the dichro is coated on clear.

Heat your clear strip from the back and fold it with the two dichro sides together. You now have clear with dichro trapped in the center.

Take a clear rod of compatible clear and swipe clear on the edges. You can now soften and pull the strip out into a thinner piece.

An alternate method is to make a cylinder of clear glass the width of your dichro strip or whatever color you want on the end of a mandrel. Wrap your dichro around the cylinder (dichro side down for dichro on clear). Then case the whole cylinder as if it were a bead. Punty up to the other end and pull.

I learned these methods in a couple of different classes by different teachers.
I haven't tried these in a while but I think I might!

The end result of either method gives you dichro cane that is fully encased and therefore less likely to burn out or scum when you use it.

Hope this helps!

[lldesigns]

Hmm, I guess the simplest way to figure this out is to try emailing her and see if she's willing to share some of her techniques. Or at least share what she means by 'dichro cane.' I know there are actual canes of dichro - not just the typical flat strips - I've got some of those. I'd be interested in this myself. I'm trying to picture how to make an actual dichro twistie or something... I may experiment with a few things at the torch tonight. I'm thinking of taking a strip of dichro and coating both sides with different colored transparents and then pulling a twistie. Or even backing two different colors of dichro to each other and coating those with some transparent colors. This could be fun, or frustrating. Either way I'll let you know! :-D

[lldesigns]

We must have posted at the same time Mary Beth! Those are great tips - thanks! I'll definitely be trying these tonight!

[MaryBeth]

We must have posted at the same time Mary Beth! Those are great tips - thanks! I'll definitely be trying these tonight!

You are welcome! And, you are right - it's easy to use the resulting dichro cane as a twistie or as a component in a twistie.

[Reenie]

The strips are easy to find. They even come in 104 COE which I carry on my site but only have a few colors still in stock.
Frantz has the 104 COE in sheets or also in strips. There are numerous places that carry the 90 & 96 COE as well.
I might have a few extra strips laying around if you'd like to try it out before you buy them.
Just send me a pm if you want to try one.

[laserglass]

Hi Mark, I've never seen this type of dichroic before. Is it coated on both sides? Does it have to be fired first? Does it burn off easily? Sorry about all the questions but you just may have answered my prayers and I want to make sure of it's properties before pulling cane with it. Where can I purchase this type of dichro?
Thanks so much!
Pam

it is standard dichroic. the stuff shown is on black glass, i also buy stuff on clear glass. it does not need to be fired first, but you will have better luck with it if it is preheated. it does not burn off too easily, but try to keep it as cool as you can. i purchase it here locally, but it is available at most good glass stores on and off line.

[Hothead Beads]

I met Victoria at the Gathering in KC and she is very sweet and willing to share with you. I think you should email her directly if you really want to know how "she" does it. There are some great ideas in here though.

[musicpg]

Thanks Mary Beth! It's so nice to know that I'm not crazy and there is a way to make dichro cane. Your explanation is very clear and I appreciate all the tips!
Thanks,
Pam

[Firebrand Beads]

The "canes" of dichro you generally see at places like Frantz started out as strips of sheet glass (such as a dichro coated Moretti 104) that were cut and fused in the kiln until the edges have softened and rounded a bit. If you buy the stuff that was done on clear, it's already 'encased' for you. Run some clear or opaque color down the coated side, (keeping the coating out of the flame) cover all the dichro coating, and then twist. No sweat. Looks cool to have dashes of dichro from the twist.

[KristiB]

Mike Crowley (LE ~ Glassfreek) pulls some amazing Dichro stringers that are about 3mm thick. They are 96 coe, but if just used as stringer decorations in small amounts it should be okay.
www.theglasshive.com

I've got some incredible green.. yummmy! :P

Kristi

[musicpg]

Thanks Kristi, I'll check out his stringers! Do you have any photos of beads decorated with these stringers? I would love to see them.
Pam

[JetAge Studio]

PADRE!!!! Where ARE you!!! Hey, we had some good convos over your ventilation images....Geeze, I miss your wisdom!!! Victoria...tell him "HI" for me!!! (and for gebus sakes....convo/email me!! :) )
Renee Wiggins
Jetage Studio

[KristiB]

Thanks Kristi, I'll check out his stringers! Do you have any photos of beads decorated with these stringers? I would love to see them.
Pam

I will try and get some pics for you this weekend :D

[menty666]

Here's a relevant video of Milon making dichro cane. It's boro though.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zYfPfw32QSY

[glasshouse]

This is almost exactly how a local glassblower I met at a show described the dichro milli process to me. He makes a cane and then slices it. It's beautiful- all boro.

Yes, you can make dichro cane. You don't do the dichro coating yourself you need to start with a dichro strip. You need the kind where the dichro is coated on clear.

Heat your clear strip from the back and fold it with the two dichro sides together. You now have clear with dichro trapped in the center.

Take a clear rod of compatible clear and swipe clear on the edges. You can now soften and pull the strip out into a thinner piece.

An alternate method is to make a cylinder of clear glass the width of your dichro strip or whatever color you want on the end of a mandrel. Wrap your dichro around the cylinder (dichro side down for dichro on clear). Then case the whole cylinder as if it were a bead. Punty up to the other end and pull.

I learned these methods in a couple of different classes by different teachers.
I haven't tried these in a while but I think I might!

The end result of either method gives you dichro cane that is fully encased and therefore less likely to burn out or scum when you use it.

Hope this helps!

[jhana]

I've made dichro twisties a lot from strips using Bullseye from CBS.
I coat it with clear so it won't scum up just like the previous folks mentioned.
One thing that is important is when you do the twisty or pull the stringer
you don't want to pull it out too thin and lose the density of the coating.
I like to use black dichro because you get a lot of contrast in the twisty and
it makes the sparlke show up better in the twist.
It's also important to have the sparkle line on the outside of the twist so
you see it better.
Does this make sense to you all?
Pam, do you work with Bullseye?
I have some twisty bits I could send you to see what I mean.

[pierces*designs]

You can get those nice rounded edges on the dichro strips yourself. Buy a sheet of dichro (4x4 or whatever) cut into strips, place in a kiln dichro side down (on kiln paper or a kiln washed shelf) and heat at 400 per hour to 1240 degree and hold for 10. Ramp down to 740 and then you can crash the kiln (open it to cool faster).

[tluvs2create]

When you say cane, are you talking stringers? I tried taking my strips of dichro encasing the coating side as others mentioned and then pulling it into a smaller stringer (I didn't twist and tried not to pull it too thin), but I found that the "dichro look" got lost - perhaps thinned out too much in the pull. I was very disappointed. It is funny that I see this thread now because one of my friends who went to B & B was showing me her purchases and she showed me some beads (she wasn't sure who it was from) that had what looked like raised dichroic stringer on it. The stringer appeared to be about 2 or 3 mm in width with plenty of coating showing that is was indeed dichro. I was going to do a google search to see if anyone produced such a thing.

[Tink]

I'm pretty darn sure the beads in question are by the Dichro Queen of Padre Island. :-) And I *do* know that she makes encased dichro cane and twisties, as I've been the happy recipient of some myself.

[tluvs2create]

Does she make them to sell? If so where do we find her?

[jhana]

I've heard that some dichro is "premium" , the coating is thicker
and so would lend itself better to this process. (Anyone know the real skinny on this?)
I guess you could call CBS and ask them.
They are very nice there.
You can avoid totally losing the sparkle by pulling shorter lengths,
but it is the nature of the process that it will thin out some.

[EchoTantuli]

Jo-Del Glass sells scraps of dichroic coating, I would imagine you could somehow incorporate them into cane, although It might take some trial and error, to get it where you wanted it to be. It was pretty economical if I remember correctly. I was considering giving it a try myself, but my job is pretty much consuming most of time lately.
Just a thought, Echo :)

[tt4st]

Hi Jhana, I'm not understanding this - can you help? I understand putting clear on the black side but ...How do you coat the dichro side with clear without burning out the sparkle? Are you bending the dichro in half, coating it in clear and then twisting? Thanks!

[jhana]

Hi Jhana, I'm not understanding this - can you help? I understand putting clear on the black side but ...How do you coat the dichro side with clear without burning out the sparkle? Are you bending the dichro in half, coating it in clear and then twisting? Thanks!
The previous methods outlined are basically the same way I've done it.
I use a compatible clear and get it really very gloppy so I can coat the dichro
side quickly with the striping method.
The hot clear doesn't scum up the dichro ,it protects it from burning off.
Putting it dichro side down (toward the torch) will burn it off quickly.
However,even when you have the dichro side positioned up and are heating the
uncoated side in the torch, the edges of the strip are very vulnerable to scumming.
As the flame licks at the sides they(the edges) kind of curl and scum up(turn gray) and you lose the coating there.
That is why you want to get those edges of the strips coated in clear first to protect them from scumming, cause that's where it begins.
Once you work with a few pieces you'll see how the dichro strips act in the flame.
The strips act a little differently than rods in the flame.
Dichro is easier to work on a hot head because it is a cooler flame.
Once I got a minor it was a lot harder for me to control that moment where you've gone too far and burned off the coating. PPP.
I know I've seen diagrams and even a video somewhere on this site
that shows how to work it.
You'll definately be money ahead by asking for and getting as much info as possible.
It's expensive glass and saving yourself from ruining it is worth the research effort, for sure.
Clear as mud?

[tt4st]

Thank you Jhana! I've put clear dichro onto beads but never clear-coated and twisted - now I understand :)

[jhana]

Thank you Jhana! I've put clear dichro onto beads but never clear-coated and twisted - now I understand :)

Cool. Glad I could be helpful.
Do you work in Effetre/Moretti or Bullseye?

[DesertGlass]

I just found this link for dichro stringers!
http://dichroic-glass.com/proddetail.asp?prod=90stringerblack

Nancy

[MaryBeth]

Wow! That's a great price!

[jhana]

I've purchased from them.
Nice glass, nice people.