Ask me anything! - Page 8

squid · #**211** 2011-02-08, 12:43pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatFritGirl

If anyone got a tub of Loetz Green Gold would they check their labels on those? My label didn't state a coe, and that was the only one that came in a tub

Kalera, I've been learning so much from this and I thought that I was ALREADY addicted...

And you're giving me so many wonderful ideas!!!

I thought I had Green Gold, but what I have is Bluegreen Gold - and it has the same 93 +/- 3 label on it.

alb6094 · #**212** 2011-02-08, 1:06pm

Kalera I have always loved your beads and this thread is so interesting and so generous of you to do! I'm having a blast reading it and my head is spinning from all the new ideas I have which is great because I love frit and I was really in a kind of a funk. Thank you so much for sharing, you're the best.

Kalera · #**213** 2011-02-08, 1:30pm

Thanks, Astrid! I'm glad you've found it helpful.

Kalera · #**214** 2011-02-08, 1:31pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angie09

Do you, or anyone else out there, have any rubino and/or EDP frit they want to sell??? Please pm me if you do. And, thanks!

Nope, but if Frantz is out you can make your own by heating a gather, plunging it in cold water, and then straining it onto a paper towel and letting it dry. It might need to be smashed up a bit more in an old coffee grinder (try Goodwill for a cheapie).

Elizabeth Beads · #**215** 2011-02-08, 1:55pm

I make frit by heating a rod or rod pieces in my kiln, then carefully removing it/them with tongs and dropping them into a clean bowl of ice water. A little gentle hammering after straining and wrapping in a cloth and voila - frit! I can make quite a bit more quickly this way.

JenniferP · #**216** 2011-02-08, 5:27pm

I just wanted to say THANK YOU and what a great thread! I am going to try tumbling some beads. You get such beautiful results, and I just can't use etching creme right no matter what I do! I have been browsing your website and your beads are so beautiful and I am SOOO impressed with the what you are doing!

Kalera · #**217** 2011-02-08, 6:18pm

Thanks, Jennifer! I hope you love your results!

Beadanna · #**218** 2011-02-09, 4:08am

Down the page here http://therockshed.com/grit1.html under Tripoli Polish there are nesting screens that could be used for grading frit. They are large though - fit the top of a bucket. Has anyone got a source for smaller ones?

PattyK · #**219** 2011-02-09, 5:19am

There's a nice one here Anna: http://www.delphiglass.com/fusing-su...-sifter/review

Another option might be to check your local dollar store or thrift store. I was able to find 4 strainers at the dollar store with different mesh sizes that work fine for frit sorting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beadanna

Down the page here http://therockshed.com/grit1.html under Tripoli Polish there are nesting screens that could be used for grading frit. They are large though - fit the top of a bucket. Has anyone got a source for smaller ones?

Pia Kaven · #**220** 2011-02-09, 5:23am

is there like a size for a mesh that would correlate with the size of a frit?

KJJames · #**221** 2011-02-09, 7:28am

This thread is incredible Kalera. Thank you for the wealth of information you are sharing.

kathleen milligan · #**222** 2011-02-09, 7:52am

Lookin', lookin' at Kalera's beads!
I especially like your treatment of Multicolor Dark, everything you have shown with it is so appealing.
I have another set to ask about...hm, where was that...

Beadanna · #**223** 2011-02-09, 8:28am

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJJames

This thread is incredible Kalera. Thank you for the wealth of information you are sharing.

I know - it's my first port of call when I come to LE.

Thanks Patty! That's a gorgeous set but a bit steep in price for me. I'll check the a Euro store when I'm close to one.

Kalera · #**224** 2011-02-09, 9:07am

Thanks, you guys!

data_2 · #**225** 2011-02-09, 5:40pm

Hay "Ask me anything'
I was at a Corning Museum workshop. One of the people was making glass pins (flowers, ete) she was using medal loops. that she placed into the glass after finishing the flower before placing it into the kiln.

If you make a pendant you make a glass "loop" for a chain. What medal can be used to make loops and place into the glass pendant or flower before going into the kiln.
Thanks

glasslass2 · #**226** 2011-02-09, 8:48pm

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for opening up a forum like this Kalera. You are a wonderfully talented artist and I so appreciate your generosity and kindness in giving back this way. Your work is truly an inspiration.

Kalera · #**227** 2011-02-09, 11:32pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by data_2

Hay "Ask me anything'
I was at a Corning Museum workshop. One of the people was making glass pins (flowers, ete) she was using medal loops. that she placed into the glass after finishing the flower before placing it into the kiln.

If you make a pendant you make a glass "loop" for a chain. What medal can be used to make loops and place into the glass pendant or flower before going into the kiln.
Thanks

Silver, copper or brass will all work; if you use fine or argentium silver it won't get firescale. You have to be careful not to hit the metal directly with the flame or it will melt, but once you get the hang of it, it's quite simple! You can use that technique to place metal shanks in glass buttons, as well. Spot-heat the glass where you want the shank or bail to go, warm the wire just a bit, then plunge it into the molten glass and hold it until the glass firms up.

Kalera · #**228** 2011-02-09, 11:42pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by glasslass2

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for opening up a forum like this Kalera. You are a wonderfully talented artist and I so appreciate your generosity and kindness in giving back this way. Your work is truly an inspiration.

You are very welcome, thank you!

data_2 · #**229** 2011-02-10, 4:15am

Thanks------ That was the info I was looking for.

Angie09 · #**230** 2011-02-10, 8:26am

Hi Kalera,

Can you tell me who makes "Caliente Silver Blue" you use in your Allene Rosalind Pie beads...I don't seem to be able to find the manufacturer? And how do you come up with the names?

Thanks!

Kalera · #**231** 2011-02-10, 12:02pm

That was made by Caliente Glass in Canada: http://www.calienteglass.com/

Sadly she does not make her beautiful cane anymore.

I am not a big fan of naming beads, and often I'll ask a friend to throw a name out there for me. That day, it was a scientist friend.

kathleen milligan · #**232** 2011-02-10, 3:54pm

http://www.beadwife.com/xv/shop/imag...s/10631.3.jpeg

These! I could pretty much just completely drape myself in these. What are these beauties?

Kalera · #**233** 2011-02-10, 8:30pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathleen milligan

http://www.beadwife.com/xv/shop/imag...s/10631.3.jpeg

These! I could pretty much just completely drape myself in these. What are these beauties?

Thanks Kathleen! Those are Gaffer Blue Luster on U-96 black. I think there's some green luster in there as well.

Dee Dee · #**234** 2011-02-11, 1:48am

Really enjoying reading this thread - fantastically generous Kalera!

I was wondering - are all your frit type beads encased?

And, how many beads do you manage to make in a hour, say?

Dee Dee · #**235** 2011-02-11, 1:59am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalera

Then again, there are days when I just can't get into focus and I make a pair, then a focal, then start a set, then get bored and start another set, then organize my glass, then decide I need to re-order something and go to my computer and find out that something else is on sale, go back and check my glass again, realize the garbage is full and take it out, wonder what's happening in my garden...

you know what I mean!

That sounds just like me.....and before I know it the day is gone and I've managed 5 beads in a whole day.....I wish I could focus better!

demcc2 · #**236** 2011-02-11, 3:51am

Hi Kalera. Ask you anything? Really? Ok, heres my "dilemma." Friends and co- workers have been telling me that I should start selling more of my product. I haven't really sold much so far, mostly due to the lack of confidence in my work and the fact I'm my own worse critic.

I am having problems coming up with pricing. I know I shouldn't price too low and undersell myself, and pricing too high may keep people away. Do I start at one price point (maybe higher ) and then adjust? Do I browse other artist's work and get a general idea from what I see to get a better grip on pricing?

Thanks for your input !

Duane M

Kalera · #**237** 2011-02-11, 1:16pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee Dee

Really enjoying reading this thread - fantastically generous Kalera!

I was wondering - are all your frit type beads encased?

And, how many beads do you manage to make in a hour, say?

All of the "Cove" style beads are encased, but very few of my other frit beads are.

If I'm making small (less than 12mm), simple, un-encased beads, I can turn out about 50 per hour. 14mm encased beads with silver foil, about 20. Fancy dot beads with reduced silver glass/striped cane/etc, about 12. Large, elaborate focals can take an hour or more each.

Kalera · #**238** 2011-02-11, 1:23pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by demcc2

Hi Kalera. Ask you anything? Really? Ok, heres my "dilemma." Friends and co- workers have been telling me that I should start selling more of my product. I haven't really sold much so far, mostly due to the lack of confidence in my work and the fact I'm my own worse critic.

I am having problems coming up with pricing. I know I shouldn't price too low and undersell myself, and pricing too high may keep people away. Do I start at one price point (maybe higher ) and then adjust? Do I browse other artist's work and get a general idea from what I see to get a better grip on pricing?

Thanks for your input !

Duane M

I would definitely recommend browsing other artist's work, but make a point of looking primarily at artists who clearly sell a lot and rely on the income in order to get an accurate sense of what pricing looks like for a consistent product with a following. It can be really discouraging to go to Etsy or eBay and see people selling comparable work to yours for next to nothing; what I've discovered over time is that most of the time, people selling really low also list inconsistently, never build a following, and eventually disappear. Buyers are willing to spend more with an artist they know they can rely on.

Going with something in the midpoint of what you see similar work selling for should give you a solid starting point. Try to charge no less than $60/hour (torch time) for your work in order to pay yourself for non-torch hours spent working, and remember than as you get better and more efficient, with fewer mistakes/fuglies, you will get a built-in pay raise.

Elizabeth Beads · #**239** 2011-02-11, 8:23pm

Kalera I have to tell you how excited I am - today I tried something based on your Romance recipe. I rolled an Opal Yellow bead in Light Tobacco powder, then in Size 2 Chalcedony frit. They are in the kiln but if they look half as great in the morning I'll be happy. It looked like the Chalcedony Raku reacted immediately with the Tobacco, bringing out lots of color plus making a sort of light ring around the pieces of frit. I'll post pix if they come out as nice as I hope. Thank you for planting the seed of using Tobacco with Raku!

Kalera · #**240** 2011-02-11, 10:04pm

Oh, exciting! I can't wait to see pics! <crossing fingers>