Devardi Glass Technical Input and Experiences

[Shrimp]

That is stunning Diana! The Devardi SOP Greens and Blues are some of my favorites.

[Rareripes]

Thanks so much,Shrimp I didn't take the time right then to do a good cleaning..just wanted to string them temporarily to see how they looked together.Yes..the SOP blues and greens are favs of mine too The focal has a little fishy and some weeds and stuff in it..but silly me forgot the purple blue I was using was Bullseye..lol..and guess what? No cracking in the focal..how's that for lucky??Whew!

[BonEchoLampworks]

Originally Posted by Newdodge4me

Hello All...

This is my first Post here, I have spent alot of time here reading for hours on end. I got into lampworking as a little something special for me and my 14 yr old daughter to do together as her mother and I decided to divorce and she took it very hard. She is my pride and joy and is Extreamly artistic and I felt this would be something she would really love doing and it would help to take her mind off of things and give her a way to have a release... Needless to say we never leave the garage We have been playing with the coe 104 Devardi glass and it took a bit of adjusting to get used to some of the sockiness (but figured out that real fast and now very little issues) She is making all kinds of fun stuff (some beads but alot of trinkits) this is allowing her to learn to use the glass and manipulate the glass to do what she wants it to do. I have been very impressed with her progress...

Sorry for the yapping.. Its a bad habit..

Some of the stuff she is talking about now is involving creating animals, birds some larger stuff (prob 3-5 inch peices) so I am thinking Boro (Coe 33) is going to be best to work with for that. We have tired playing with the Coe 104 and on the larger peices its just harder to heat evenly to manipulate the glass into these larger shapes. My question is as there is no info on the devardi site but has anyone used the devardi boro mixing with any other COE 33 glass? I have some projects that I am working on and need to do some ordering and as with everyone, Money is tight and dont want to waste it if I dont have to...

Also, I have two torch setups. I have basic propane setup on cheap (Lowes Bought) Tourch head and I have a Propane/Oxy Setup. We have best luck heating and using the Devardi coe104 glass with the propane only setup but have a severe issue with it discoloring the glass. It turns the clear glass into a smok/black glass and it will blacken most of the colored glasses. I am assuming its just the cheap torch head and I need to buy one of the torch heads from Devardi? Using the propane/oxy works great and doesnt discolor but is way to hot and usually just overheart or shocks the glass into breakage. Advice Please??

Thanks in advance for the great reading here on the devardi thread... I have learnt alot and hope to get to upload some pics of me and my lil angels work..

Sincerely
Roger

Hi Roger,
Yep...I agree, I think your problem with the sooting is the Lowes torch...
while they make look similar, they don't bring in enough oxy to burn off the propane carrier - hence your black/smokey/discoloring problem.
(you can sometimes get away with a brazing torch, but, again, I say "sometimes")
You shouldn't have any problems if you work with a hothead, I have no input on the cheaper Devardi torch heads, although I've heard they work just fine as long as your propane isn't stored outdoors in extreme cold temperatures.
(makes sense - using a dual torch, I've had to pack warm rice packs on my tanks during extreme cold spells, however, my tanks are outdoors)

You can also visit "Instructables" (www.instructables.com) and search for "kilns" or "kiln building". (I posted my waffle iron mini kiln there a few years back) There's some pretty darn awesome kiln building going on out there!!!
Here's the link to mine:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Waff...or...The-Bava/

I've been using this wee devil for over 10 years now. Still works fine.
(I teach and demo in some pretty odd places - carrying a large kiln around just isn't going to work for me!)

I've had so many responses/requests for info on this, I could go into the "kitchen appliance kiln building" business!

Good Luck to you & your daughter...

Janice

BTW - Kudos to you for encouraging the 'artsiness' in your daughter!

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

That converted Waffle Iron-into-a-Kiln is quite a project there! With all due respect it seems very dangerous and a lot of work, and then it's still a danger to operate. I hope you won't mind my saying so - there are so many new bead makers that post here. I sure admire your ability to create it though.

I think I would save up the $68 and get the professional Mini Kiln that Devardi is offering.
http://www.devardiglass.com/MiniBeadAnnealer.htm

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

On a lighter subject, this is supposed to be a Ranchu Goldfish (with the hump on his back). I never knew there were so many types of Goldfish until I started researching their shapes.

[angelique_redhead]

OK, Temptress. Where are the goldfish? I didn't see any in your Etsy shop. I'm a sucker for a pretty fish and I do make them when I have a studio up and running. Angelique

[SilverRiverJewelry]

Cute goldfish!

Sheesh, do you ever feel like there just isn't enough time in the day? I STILL don't have pictures taken and I haven't had time to list anything in over two weeks! Feeling a wee bit stressed lol.

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

Originally Posted by angelique_redhead

OK, Temptress. Where are the goldfish? I didn't see any in your Etsy shop. I'm a sucker for a pretty fish and I do make them when I have a studio up and running. Angelique

Aw, thank you! I have thought of putting them in my Etsy for a try. I just didn't know if people would be interested. I will make some more and pick the best one for a try. I'll post it when one is going there, okay?


Sonja, I sure know what you mean. I squeeze in an hour or two at night if I'm lucky, and the pics get done in the morning after everyone is fed! NEVER enough time! Does anyone else have this struggle for time? How do you all carve out torch-time?

[angelique_redhead]

Thanks! I'm particularly fond of that orange one you posted. Angelique

Originally Posted by Fine Folly Glassworks

Aw, thank you! I have thought of putting them in my Etsy for a try. I just didn't know if people would be interested. I will make some more and pick the best one for a try. I'll post it when one is going there, okay?


Sonja, I sure know what you mean. I squeeze in an hour or two at night if I'm lucky, and the pics get done in the morning after everyone is fed! NEVER enough time! Does anyone else have this struggle for time? How do you all carve out torch-time?

[SilverRiverJewelry]

Well, I work Monday to Thursday. Friday or Saturday is generally my torch time. (an my errand running errand time and cleaning time etc lol.)However, I am not willing to give up my torch time to take pictures lol, as my torch time keeps me sane. I go to the gym six days a week (also something that I am not going to skimp on) so by the time i get home and make dinner I am pretty much done.

I did get the latest batch cleaned and am going TRY and take pics after dinner tonight. The ones that need to be etched are in the etching solution now, so if all goes well, I might get in an hour or two of picture taking. Wish me luck!

[SilverRiverJewelry]

Okay, here are three big hole beads made with Devardi. The middle one has Devardi frit around the middle. The green one is what I had left over from a twisty with several greens (you know, the part on end of the rod that you don't know what do with. I wrap it around a mandrel, cover it in clear and make a bead out of it, so I don't waste any glass). The other one is blues and greens layered with clear and raked.

[angelique_redhead]

I like the middle one with the flowers a lot. Angelique

[Nanners]

Originally Posted by Fine Folly Glassworks

Aw, thank you! I have thought of putting them in my Etsy for a try. I just didn't know if people would be interested. I will make some more and pick the best one for a try. I'll post it when one is going there, okay?


Sonja, I sure know what you mean. I squeeze in an hour or two at night if I'm lucky, and the pics get done in the morning after everyone is fed! NEVER enough time! Does anyone else have this struggle for time? How do you all carve out torch-time?

Yessssss. It's a continual struggle to manage to get enough torch time in to keep me sane. I work at home, so one would think that would make it easier. Not so. I am also a classically trained flautist married to a classically trained pianist and performances and rehearsals also take much more time than I'd like. I TRY to have at LEAST 4 hours on my two days off just for the torch, add to that practice time, cleaning, ironing, dinner, beach time, blah, blah, blah - and there goes the day. <sigh>

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

Originally Posted by SilverRiverJewelry

Okay, here are three big hole beads made with Devardi.

Sonja, each one of these is beautiful! Really pretty work there!

It is so neat to read what you all say about finding and making torch time, and some little insight into your lives. Aren't we an interesting group - brought together by a torch and pretty sticks of glass!

[SilverRiverJewelry]

Thanks everyone. I am finally beginning to be happy with the more recent flower beads that I have been working on. I have also starting making sets that match, but don't match if that makes sense. I pick three or four colors and make 6-10 beads that all have those colors but with different designs. I will post a couple sets as soon as I edit the pics and get them listed. This has really pushed me as far as making stringers, twisties and dots!

And Kristina its an amazing thing isn't it, how very different we all are yet how the glass just draws us together and makes us friends!

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

Hi Everyone, I worked up two different Goldfish last night with Stands. They are a little smaller than my first ones and they are in my Etsy!

.•:*¨*:•.

What are you all working on these days?

[audrafields1979]

Kristina I love your fishies tooo cute

[Imaglassgal]

Aaaawwww, I love the fishies!

[Nanners]

Originally Posted by Fine Folly Glassworks

Hi Everyone, I worked up two different Goldfish last night with Stands. They are a little smaller than my first ones and they are in my Etsy!

.•:*¨*:•.

What are you all working on these days?

Wow Kristina !!! Those fish are totally awesome. Do you blow the glass (and can you tell I'm a newbie? LOL) I am actually working on perfecting BHBs, but my husband just finished my glass storage cabinet (modeled after yours). I will post pictures this weekend, I swear !! Just sold a necklace/earring set 10 minutes ago !!! YAY !!

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

Thank you all for the fishie compliments!

Nanner, those fish are made on top of a mandrel. It goes almost all the way through them but not quite. You start by making the rounded center section, then you add on glass and shape the tail-end, then add on glass and shape the head and add the eyes. THEN you start adding the fins. And you build on the fins all the way around, not one at a time, because you need to keep rotating it to keep all the fins warm.

I'm so glad you all like them. Feel free to make them too. I suggest you use the SOP White or Moonstone or Misty for the white one, and the Orange one was made with D-97 SOP Orange. I like the Copper Black, because it is softer and melts in easier.

The Stands are made on Devardi's 1" Cabachon mandrel. I embed a piece of cut 1/16" mandrel in the center before decorating them. The fish are made on 3/16" mandrels or larger and slide over the 1/16" mandrel in the Stand. One day I will make a Tutorial on them if people are interested.

[Marcy]

Kristina, they are great!

[SilverRiverJewelry]

Here are the test beads for the seaweed green. No problems at all and really pretty over white!

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

VERY pretty Sonja!

And here are some Clear encasing tests I did last week. All look fine. I used Devardi Clear and Effetre Clear. From left to right the glass types are:

Devardi Clear over Intense Black, and Effetre Clear over Intense Black
Devardi Clear over Copper Black, and Effetre Clear over Copper Black
Devardi Clear over SOP Lt. Baby Blue, and Effetre Clear over SOP Lt. Baby Blue
Devardi Clear over SOP White, and Effetre Clear over SOP White


Pay no attention to the bird, she's taken a liking to that white bead... hmmm...

[angelique_redhead]

Better hurry. The goldfish are going fast. Angelique

[Rareripes]

Yea! Copper black on my HH! Not the best of pics and badly shaped..lol..but success!

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

Originally Posted by angelique_redhead

Better hurry. The goldfish are going fast. Angelique

Thank you Angelique! Your sweet Calico is on it's way as we speak!



WAY TO GO Rarepipes!

[Rareripes]

Thanks,Kristina I am not used to using a HH but that's all I have to work with til I get my Mini CC down here.
BTW..great test on the encasings! You've come a long way baby..lol..was reading posts about HH's earlier today..old ones..and you were just getting started a couple years ago...amazing talent you have!Thanks for all the testing you do for us Devardi glass peeps!

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

Aww, thats so sweet of you to say. I consider myself an Intermediate in most beadwork., but sculpture comes easier... We will just keep helping each other out and enjoying the journey!

[SilverRiverJewelry]

My glass stash.

Devardi


96 coe and 90 coe. Also assorted 104 coe shorts in the glass jars.


Effetre, Vetrofond and Cim on the top two shelves and boro on the bottom.


Just the boro


I need to cut more pvc pipe ( I have four long pieces in the garage). A lot of the Devardi has two or three similar colors in one pipe, since I haven't had a chance to cut more.

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

Gosh, neat Sonja! And a place for everything! Do you glue your pipe sections together?

Anyone else want to post your work setup? Fun to see it!