double helix, no kiln????
 

is it possible to get good results on a hot head (i know reducing will be better than striking) without a kiln? i would use a ceramic blanket or 'annealing' beads and could kiln anneal at a later time.

Most of it doesn't do anything in the kiln so it shouldn't be any different than other glass. Just stay away from Pandora. I don't see why you can't strike in a hothead. Just get some of the easy strikers that don't need to get white hot to work. I am not the best with silver laden glass but Terra2 works pretty easy for me.