I'm not new to bead making but the last few months I've had a rash of focal beads cracking down the mandrel. I just took a beautiful bead off the mandrel and immediately it got a running crack on both sides following the mandrel.
Could it be the bead release? I've tried several lately and still having cracks. I've had the kiln checked out and it's working properly. I've got cracking on simple beads and elaborate beads.
Today's bead was the transp orange/ clear/ Aurae/ clear combo. It was beautiful.
But I've got simple beads cracking too. Any ideas. I'm frustrated.