More Striking Q's..

untamedrose · #1 2011-10-13, 10:11am

1. I can get Great colors when I dont encase my amber purples...however if I do the exact same thing but then encase them in clear my dark poppy colors dont show up at all.

is there something else I need to do when encasing them? wrong clear glass to encase them in?

2. Kiln striking. I know sometimes it takes a few times to get those colors to show. What if they arnt after 3-4 times in the kiln, they are not showing. Like a purple amber implosion pendant that was light yellow(1st kiln) now a dark yellow/Orange(3rd) still no purples.
Do I just keep going until I get what I want out of it?
or is there a point it's just a lost cause for that color, stop wasting electricity.

Cornbread · #2 2011-10-13, 10:26am

you may have trapped the haze under the clear. be super carful when encasing so that you dont bring the haze to the surface when encasing.

LarryC · #3 2011-10-13, 10:51am

Quote:

Originally Posted by untamedrose

1. I can get Great colors when I dont encase my amber purples...however if I do the exact same thing but then encase them in clear my dark poppy colors dont show up at all.

is there something else I need to do when encasing them? wrong clear glass to encase them in?

2. Kiln striking. I know sometimes it takes a few times to get those colors to show. What if they arnt after 3-4 times in the kiln, they are not showing. Like a purple amber implosion pendant that was light yellow(1st kiln) now a dark yellow/Orange(3rd) still no purples.
Do I just keep going until I get what I want out of it?
or is there a point it's just a lost cause for that color, stop wasting electricity.

As to encasing silver colors, some definitely do look different to me after encasing as well. There is often a reaction that occurs between the clear and striking color. I sometimes use this to my advantage, though, if I am looking for lots of color variations. Also, I see differences in the final result depending on what brand clear I use to encase. Experimentation is key here.

I often kiln strike as many as 5-6 times. When I strike in the kiln I just leave the pieces in the kiln until I like the result. Again this is dependent on the glass and the kiln conditions so I think you are gonna have to experiment until you find a cycle you like for a particular color. I prefer to use colors that I can strike right in the torch. What is your kiln striking schedule?

Bunyip · #4 2011-10-14, 5:35am

Encasing or imploded amber purples have always been hit or miss for me. A lot of it has to do with the clear... and a lot has to do with how you work it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by untamedrose

2. Kiln striking. Do I just keep going until I get what I want out of it?

or is there a point it's just a lost cause for that color, stop wasting electricity.

It's never a lost cause if you just keep your pieces in the kiln while you work other stuff =) Your pieces will continue to develop color over time in the kiln. The color may not be what you'd anticipated, but that's the magic of boro

Cornbread · #5 2011-10-14, 9:04am

to add to what's already been said...you might be using too thick of a rod to encase with...what size do you use and how do you encase? do you lay a 7mm rod on top and just shape it around the piece or do you press your rod in to the piece as you encase making your layer much thinner? I like being inconsistent with thicknesses, personally. It gives more windows for different colors to pop out and I only kiln strike once...of course I enjoy some of the amber in AP and DAP

Nitadee · #6 2011-10-15, 11:16am

I have been known to re-heat the piece after it's been in the kiln a few times.
Don't know if this is "Kosher" or not, but I've always been an instant gratification kinda gal

I have a few pieces that have been in the kiln for 4 or 5 days, and they are getting closer to what I want. Thinking today after an hour or two soaking, I might bring them out and put them in the flame again. As I said...instant gratification LOL!!! (Only not so instant eh?)

LarryC · #7 2011-10-15, 11:57am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitadee

I have been known to re-heat the piece after it's been in the kiln a few times.
Don't know if this is "Kosher" or not, but I've always been an instant gratification kinda gal

I have a few pieces that have been in the kiln for 4 or 5 days, and they are getting closer to what I want. Thinking today after an hour or two soaking, I might bring them out and put them in the flame again. As I said...instant gratification LOL!!! (Only not so instant eh?)

I dont think theres anything wrong with re heating and torch striking at all. I am also kinda an instant gratification person. In your experience is there any advantage to kiln striking a couple of times before working the strike in the torch versus just torch striking once?