First glass rods order ever! (104)

[Mesnik]

This will be my first order ever!

So I've been reading a lot and have pulled the trigger on an oxycon and kiln.

Next I will be setting up the working area... Ventilation.


Meanwhile, I have been trying to figure out what rods to get for the first order, which I am sure it will be just to play around and feel the waters... So color doesn't mean much.

Any recommendations? I will be doing soft glass for now.


Thanks!

[zen-mom]

Do you mean manufacture? I love Effetre cause it has a lot of colors at a cheap price.

Black, white, ivory, clear...
Add some turquoise to play with reactions, it does fun stuff on ivory.

Add in your fav transparent colors... Don't forget mandrels and bead release

[Eileen]

What Donna said. I'd add in a few opaque colors too, the cheaper ones that you like, just so you can have some fun & learn about how different glass melts & moves, etc. as well as maybe trying a twistie or three.

[Mesnik]

Thanks! I will get some different colors and a bunch of whichever is the cheapest.

I was more incline to start out with Effetre as it seems to get the most positive feedback, so thanks good the final push!

Yes, i will need all the tools!! Oh boy!

[artsyuno]

I'd buy an Effetre sample pack, plus extra black, white, clear and ivory.

[wendbill]

Originally Posted by artsyuno

I'd buy an Effetre sample pack, plus extra black, white, clear and ivory.

What Felicia said.

That way you'll get to play with a few different colours, and learn how the different colours react under the flame. You'll also probably be surprised that the colours you thought you would like best aren't necessarily the ones you decide you like.

And as Zen-Mom said, don't forget the mandrels and bead release.

[Sue in Maine]

I agree with the above recommendations.

Avoid: rubino, pinks and anice. The rubino is expensive and you can burn it easily. It needs to wait till you are more experienced. Pinks burn too easily- you don't really want brown mud. It's discouraging in the beginning and anice is known as "frit on a stick." It's too shocky to play with in the beginning.

Just my thoughts.

Sue

[FosterFire]

Another vote for Effetre. Devardi is fussy. I recommend the blues except for transparent aqua which can get pitting, but all the rest are stable and easy to use.

[echeveria]

I would avoid Effetre opalinos and alabasters for a while too.

[Floorkasp]

I would consider some of the odd lot effetres too. What I like about these is because of the way the glass is set up, even simple beads can be very interesting.

[artwhim]

I see Mountain Glass Arts has 30% off Effetre right now if you enter the code given on their website. Not sure if that is applicable to their sample packs, but if not they sell by the 1/8lb so you could get the colors you like.

You will want to get at least a rod of Intense Black. Make sure you keep it well marked and don't use it like regular black. Once you have practiced pulling stringer, you can pull IB stringer and do neat things with it.

Have fun!

[jaci]

Congrats!!!!!

[Mesnik]

AWESOME!! Thanks for all the responses, VERY helpful!

It does seem a bit overwhelming to chose so the sample pack with the extras recommended seem to be the best for the first time.

I will keep you all updated once everything comes together...

THANKS again for taking the time!!!

[Sue in Maine]

Originally Posted by echeveria

I would avoid Effetre opalinos and alabasters for a while too.

Totally agree with this. There is a reason we call them "alabastards!" lol

Sue

[AlwaysLearning]

From a newbie. I'm loving intense black, dark ivory, turquoise, and copper green. intense black lasts forever. It's hard not to use a bunch o' dark ivory. For non-reactive, acid yellow, medium red and nile green (cartoony colors). If you want a puzzle, evil devitrifying purple. Both interesting and irritating. I'm playing a lot with opaque sage green and mosaic green but it's hit and miss right now (can't recommend mosaic green).

[Mesnik]

Good info there AL!!! Thanks!!!