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Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
2007-08-12, 9:35am
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Salt Box Beads
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Join Date: Oct 23, 2005
Location: Heading to Paradise
Posts: 4,161
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I thought I would keep my cell phone handy in case I had a call...ummm, bad idea. I wear a half face respirator and a full face shield when torching.
I am merrily torching away when the phone rang so I transferred the rod to my left hand and flipped the phone to get my call and tried to stick it up under my face shield to my ear..
WHAT A FIASCO!! When I pushed the phone up to my ear I
knocked the face shield halfway off my head so I was trying to staighten it up as it was painfully crooked on my head with my only free hand which had the cell phone in it.
I then knocked my flip phone closed and lost the call so I then put it back on the counter and got my face shield back into place and when I returned my gaze back to my mandrel it was pointing southeast and my bead was drooping and twisted and all knarly!!!
NO more trying to answer the phone while torching.
Lorraine
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2007-08-12, 10:31am
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Member
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Join Date: Feb 25, 2006
Location: Ashby, MA
Posts: 63
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A rod of Red roof tile + shorts and tank top = really, really bad idea
Sue
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ËœDon't wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel. Stride down there, and light the bloody thing yourself."
--Sara Henderson
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2007-08-28, 1:55pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 14, 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 121
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Just found this thread today - what fun!
I have two: taking what was probably my second bead class, on a hot head, from Molly of Heritage Glass fame. To know Molly is to love her - without a doubt one of the sweetest, kindest women I have ever known. So, I'm sitting there, trying and trying - and TRYING - to light the damn torch. I finally say, "Molly, I just can't get the torch to light." She looks at me for a second - a long second - and finally says, "Well, you have to light the match first...." I'm pretty sure there was pity in her eyes...
The second one is NOT on me, and certainly not a beginner's mistake. I'm again at Molly's, taking a class from Leah Fairbanks. Leah has just finished making a cane of some sort, and is looking around for something to punty on with so she can pull it out...she hastily picked up a rod - of rubino - and proceeds to punty up. We all got a great deal of milage out of teasing her about being so famous that she could afford to use RUBINO for waste glass!
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2007-08-29, 1:48pm
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Formerly Kellyhorton
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Join Date: Nov 29, 2005
Location: PA
Posts: 2,028
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My lessons learned as a newbie:
1) You don't have to twirl the f*cking mandrel like propeller when making a round bead. Sloooowwww it down. Let the bead shape itself.
2) Don't wipe hot rods on your shirt to clean them. If you do, get used to your husband asking you "who's been whipping you today?"
3) If the bead looks and acts like dripping honey, it's probably time to remove it from the flame.
4) If the length of the bead is from the flame to the desktop, and the bottom of the bead is shaped like a puddle, it's DEFINITELY time to remove the bead from the flame.
5) Don't try and catch hot glass that drops towards your lap by closing your thighs quickly. No no, bad thing.
6) Before blowing through glass that costs $3000 a pound and is only available every other month in 1/4 lb increments if you have 6 forms of ID and four friends wiling to vouch for your character and have a notary sign and send the check federal express overnight along with 4 pints of blood, you might want to read up on forums about what other people have tried, so you can avoid ending up with a set of muddy, cracked beads with an average cost of $50 each.
THAT IS HYSTERICAL, LAUGHED TILL I CRIED!!!! SORRY, DONT KNOW HOW TO PUT HER POST ABOVE MINE, SO JUST INCLUDED IT IN THERE,
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Kelly
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2007-08-29, 6:34pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 08, 2006
Location: Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Posts: 232
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yes that would be an open kind of neck shirt, tucked into the jeans, and large section of a disc that just exploded finding its way in and to sit about an inch from my bellybutton! yes,.. that was my thought too, what the f**.. now! jump up, contor body so that the glowing piece of disc doesn't catch shirt on fire which means holding it on my belly, while untuck my shirt as fast as i can to be able to get the dam thing out. once it is out my automatic reactions is to rub it!!.... yup you got it.... rubbed that instant blister right the hell off and left some nice raw skin, along side the other area that was still a blister. sat back down and kept going....
ya that one left a permanet mark... LOL .... i call that one my burning in...
now i make sure that the shirt i have on is a tighter collar and that nothin is tucked in while i am torching...
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2007-09-05, 9:05pm
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Previously silverfaeriedesigns
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Join Date: Aug 29, 2007
Location: Aurora, CO
Posts: 317
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I'm glad I found this. Lots of things to look out for next time I torch!
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~* Melissa
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Nortel Minor with oxycon and NG
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2007-09-06, 9:33pm
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Borovangelist
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Join Date: Jan 26, 2007
Location: Auburn, MA
Posts: 3,002
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All good ones... Here's a couple of mine.
- If your major isn't lighting right way for some reason or another, don't keep turning up the gas while using the striker. After the fireball dissipated I honestly had to sit there for a moment staring at the ceiling just to make sure it wasn't on fire.
-Treat all glass near the flame as if it was hot. I grabbed one end of a point in a class after looking over my shoulder and it must have passed through the flame for a second. Even though it wasn't supposed to be hot, it very much was and the burn was enough to make me turn off the torch and go home for the night (I was out in my own shop the next night). I now use the back of my hand to "proximity test" the glass before grabbing it.
-If you do fusing as well, be careful if you have sheet glass upright on your work bench. Being the thin profile that it is, I didn't see it and nicked my knuckle pretty badly on it while reaching for something. I still finished what I was doing before I went in to tend to the wound.
-After finding some odd marks on my sweatshirt I now wear a leather apron when I'm working. And even in 5 degree temps I roll up my sleeves!
-And finally, if you bring in a box full of items to take pictures of, don't leave them near the edge of the counter where the inquisitive 2 year old can reach up and grab the box, even "just for a minute". Luckily I was in sandals and was able to air lift the barefoot kiddo out of the area so I could clean up the mess before he stepped on any.
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2007-09-10, 8:34pm
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Eight Miles Wide
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Join Date: Dec 18, 2005
Location: Kalamazoo
Posts: 4,424
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Not a newbie, but...
If you have a stringer with a very sharp end, DO NOT tap it on your thigh several times while thinking about what to make next.
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melissa lynserra
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2007-09-11, 4:52am
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jul 05, 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 18
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Things I have learned as a 3 month newbie:
Learn to tell the diff between the smell of burning vinyl tile and cotton...(hint:, one is your pants - MOVE!!!!!)
Don't use the back side of your aluminium groved marver in the kiln to heat anything, unless you have a need for a kiln with a metal bottom!
Don't try to torch beads with an inquisitive little girl in the room, the questions don't stop but your attention will, with painful results.....
And the HH torch stays HOTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!
But most of all, lampworkers are a wonderful group, I haven't had this much fun in years!
Linda
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2007-09-11, 7:58am
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Wendy
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Join Date: Jun 19, 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,143
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I took my beginner's class August 19th. Here are the things I've learned in the garage so far.
Pulled stringer is hot for more than 2 seconds and touching the blob that was just in your tweezers HURTS.
Encasing a bead changes the pattern of the bead when you push too hard.
Some glass rods are more "shocky" than others.. pay attention when you're warming that rod.
Don't be afraid to dip a tool you've been using in or near the flame in water.. glass WILL stick to a warmed tool.
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2007-09-12, 8:30am
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Bigger, longer, and uncut
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Join Date: Aug 01, 2007
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Posts: 447
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I took a bead-making class last spring and have been HOOKED ever since. My husband has set up a little area in our garage for me to work, and it has been great!
This, however, probably qualifies as a newbie mistake: Buying a pound of the Moretti/Effetre purple (254) on Ebay, thinking I was going to make a lot of beads in my favorite color or was going to embellish other beads with a great purple. WRONG!
I've done a lot of research since then and am reckoning with the error of my ways. Wow, this stuff stumps even the most experienced lampworker. The big thing I've learned is that the EDP cannot be subjected to the normal heating and cooling other glasses can handle during typical bead winding. Keep it hot until you've wound on the desire amount on the mandrel and bring it out of the flame more quickly than you would any other bead.
My small comfort is that I paid less than half of the going rate for it.
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2007-09-13, 8:03am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 20, 2007
Posts: 768
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Hmm learned this one the hard way just yesterday. Do not set your route 44 styrofoam fountain drink next to your rods. If you accidentally lay a hot rod on the styrofoam, it will melt and you will have a big, and I do mean big, mess of syrupy coke gushing all over your work space, your self and the hot rod will shatter and hiss.
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2007-09-16, 5:10am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 01, 2007
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 1,749
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Quote:
Originally Posted by one hot beader
Don't lick your graphite paddle to make the silver foil stick to it when you have already used it to marver a bead.
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ROFL!! Reminds me of touching tongue to metal in dead of winter as a kid. But it only takes once and you don't forget!
Also, although the hand may be quicker than the eye, it's always slower than the fire. By the time the brain gets it across to the hand to "MOVE, you idiot," it's still too late.
Started compiliing these in another thread. If you like, as this dies down (if it ever does) I'll be glad to update it. Thanks for side-splitting, tear inducing laughter, and for starting this great thread!
Rachel
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2007-09-17, 5:17am
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Know-it-all Megalomaniac
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Join Date: Oct 22, 2005
Location: Californication
Posts: 6,282
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Quote:
Originally Posted by evvybuns
I took a bead-making class last spring and have been HOOKED ever since. My husband has set up a little area in our garage for me to work, and it has been great!
This, however, probably qualifies as a newbie mistake: Buying a pound of the Moretti/Effetre purple (254) on Ebay, thinking I was going to make a lot of beads in my favorite color or was going to embellish other beads with a great purple. WRONG!
I've done a lot of research since then and am reckoning with the error of my ways. Wow, this stuff stumps even the most experienced lampworker. The big thing I've learned is that the EDP cannot be subjected to the normal heating and cooling other glasses can handle during typical bead winding. Keep it hot until you've wound on the desire amount on the mandrel and bring it out of the flame more quickly than you would any other bead.
My small comfort is that I paid less than half of the going rate for it.
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Here's a non-newbie hint that may help you get more mileage out of the EDP.
Rather than concentrating on it - just IGNORE it and make your bead.
When your bead is DONE, give the whole thing a nice heating till it's glowing
and then kiln it.
Learned that from Andrea G in her class, and I've been making dreamy purples
ever since....
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2007-09-17, 7:01pm
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Bigger, longer, and uncut
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Join Date: Aug 01, 2007
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Posts: 447
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Ignore? I LIKE that!
I think I understand about "ignoring" the EDP. I just made a bunch of beads with small dots which I allowed to sink into the bead body. I didn't worry about the EDP knowing that I would be giving it a hot bath while the dots melted into it, but I did't allow the conditions where I knew it would devitrify. If I moved the bead out of the flame rather quickly to cool it, the purple held its color and smooth finish. They're sitting in the blanket now. Fingers crossed for a nice "set."
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2007-11-07, 7:48am
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Crazy Snake Lady
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Join Date: Jul 31, 2006
Posts: 5,583
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I'm bumping this thread up since we seem to have a lot more newbies lately.
C'mon and join in the fun...um, pain, ah, well, c'mon and laugh!!!
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Mrs. C
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2007-11-07, 8:33am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 23, 2006
Posts: 5,540
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Don't snap your bare legs closed to catch a marble.
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Cynthia
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2007-11-07, 8:35am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 10, 2007
Location: PDX
Posts: 356
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OMG! OUCH!
Quote:
Originally Posted by glassactcc
Don't snap your bare legs closed to catch a marble.
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formally known as... Litsayn
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2007-11-07, 8:43am
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Crazy Snake Lady
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Join Date: Jul 31, 2006
Posts: 5,583
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glassactcc
Don't snap your bare legs closed to catch a marble.
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Now that's what I call dedication!
So, did you save the marble?
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Mrs. C
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2007-11-07, 9:12am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 23, 2006
Posts: 5,540
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Why I sure did!!! Do you know how long I was workin' on that? And The scar only lasted about two years
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Cynthia
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2007-11-07, 4:22pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 23, 2007
Posts: 475
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Warning to all ex-pastry chefs:
Yes the melted glass does look like icing and gum paste.
BUTTTT!
You can not I repeat NOT shape it with your fingers.
Duh!
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2007-11-08, 9:19am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 27, 2005
Location: Yarmouth, Maine...home of the Clamfest
Posts: 7,693
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I can't remember if I posted this further up in the thread....
DON'T slide your thumb down "further" on the Tapley tongs to try & use them right ontop of the bowl to press the bowl tighter together when the glass is a little too cool/stiff for pressing...it's still way HOT (and those tongs conduct heat right through the bowl )...and you'll burn your thumbprint off! (and yes, I did it THREE different times before I got it into my head it wasn't a good idea )
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new purple cricket @ home! minicc @ playing with fire in rockland! Sue & Nikki fighting over who gets to anneal the wonkies To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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2007-11-08, 1:32pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 22, 2006
Location: Grand Junction, CO
Posts: 1,250
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Note to self -- Take ice pack out to every torch session and keep in EASY TO OPEN COOLER. Hold burn area on ice for 20 min -- NO EXCEPTIONS. Cover burn area with aloe vera gel. Let it dry then go back to torching.
Jen
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2007-11-08, 1:33pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 22, 2006
Location: Grand Junction, CO
Posts: 1,250
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Luna BTW your etsy shop looks great!
Jen
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2007-11-08, 2:01pm
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appleton girl.
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Join Date: Sep 16, 2005
Location: Red Wing, MN
Posts: 51
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This just cracked me up! I was going to say the same thing....which, incidentally, just happened to me the other day....and I'm not a newbie! The lid of my bead release wasn't on very securely before I went to dip more mandrels....I picked up the bottle and started shaking away (you know....you have to shake well before using!)....bead release flew EVERYWHERE!!! I'm still finding places that I missed cleaning! DOH!
Angie
Quote:
Originally Posted by LauraT
I *always* remember to hold the lid of the bead release while shaking...unless I need a shower or need to thoroughly clean my studio.
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2007-11-08, 2:16pm
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Crazy Snake Lady
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Join Date: Jul 31, 2006
Posts: 5,583
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Don't admire the pretty 'balloon' of glass you just blew or you'll have the shards you were hoping to make explode all over your studio! Can you say, "Startled?!"
Glad I was wearing glasses!
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Mrs. C
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2007-11-08, 2:25pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 01, 2007
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 1,749
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And, although brass is supposed to be a "cool" tool doesn't mean it is -- especially after you just used it to press HOT GLASS! (but how else am I supposed to get those bits of bead release broken off in the press since I don't really know how to use it yet? Take a deep breath . . .)
Rachel
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2007-11-08, 2:55pm
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Missing presumed fed
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Join Date: Nov 15, 2005
Location: Wherever
Posts: 3,158
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenfire
Note to self -- Take ice pack out to every torch session and keep in EASY TO OPEN COOLER. Hold burn area on ice for 20 min -- NO EXCEPTIONS. Cover burn area with aloe vera gel. Let it dry then go back to torching.
Jen
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Nope! Don't put ice directly on a burn. Ice can cause even more tissue damage. Put the burn in cold water IMMEDIATELY.
Aloe gel is great stuff, though. Lavender oil is great, too. Aloe gel with a drop or two of lavender oil is excellent!
(Keep the aloe within grabbing distance of the torch -- in a container you can open one-handed.)
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Scorpion and one Intensity 10 lpm 20 psi concentrator
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2007-11-08, 11:26pm
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 30, 2007
Posts: 25
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Right after you press a bead into millefiori if it doesn't stick and falls off to the side don't try to pick it up and move it right away. Those 2 seconds to try to get it to stick will cause it to head up quite amazingly. I dropped it fast enough that I didn't even have the skin swell up but it gave me a new respect for how fast glass can heat up.
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2007-11-09, 5:07am
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onebizebee
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Join Date: Aug 08, 2007
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 904
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Glass stays hot for a lot longer than expected! Especially when you have pulled a stringer! That skinny little Glass should cool off much faster than that. Don't know why but when a bead or other glass object shatters or cracks in half or even drops on the bench why am I possessed to try and rescue it with my bare fingers! Brain Fart! It registers in my brain that was red hot a few seconds ago do don't touch it!!! Fingers on the other hand retarded and try anyway.
Another good one no matter how annoying you can not coax the stupid fly in to the flame. You will only get yourself burned! You must remain patient that the fly will eventually kill itself in the flame! Never mind that it managed to get under your diddy glasses twice!!! Dang bugs.
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