Vetrofond Lemon Grass issues

simvet02 · #1 2010-04-14, 5:23pm

I'm having a terrible time with V-Lemon Grass and wonder if there is anyone out there that can give me some advice.

I have made two beads with it and they both cracked down the center. The first one was a longer bead so I chalked it up to thermal cracking. However, the second one was much smaller and I made a point to really heat it well before putting it into the kiln, which is at 960 for garaging.

Now, I will say that I start ALL of my beads with a thin layer of Effetre super clear. Could it be that they just don't get along?

Any help would be appreciated.

thanks,

chrissij · #2 2010-04-14, 5:26pm

In my sold etsy, you'll see mini Toni Lutman beads. The base of those was Lemon Grass, and it took me forever and a day to list 'em. If they were going to crack, they would've long before I listed them. I batch anneal with a top temp of 890, so...

Maybe try it without the clear?

echeveria · #3 2010-04-14, 5:33pm

Lemongrass is one of my favorites; I have never had an issue with it. I second trying it without the clear.

Judith Billig · #4 2010-04-14, 5:39pm

Seconded ... Lemongrass is one of my all time favorites too.
Never had a cracking issue either.
I would try without the core of clear.

I hope you don't mind me asking: how comes that you start all your beads with a clear core? I'm just curious.

Elizabeth Beads · #5 2010-04-14, 5:46pm

I did have a similar cracking issue with Lemongrass used as a base for Green Dalai. I thought it was the combination, but it did crack right down the mandrel line and I am so careful to pop my beads in the kiln glowing. I garage at 940.

beadbroad · #6 2010-04-14, 7:23pm

I love LG too, and have been making my kitchen cabinet knobs from it. I started out making hollows that I encased in clear, and several cracked. I think I may have had some crack after I switched to encasing solids, but finally worked my way around to a clear base, LG, encased more heavily in clear. There's a light frit application over the LG. Maybe it's a little touchy, but workable.

simvet02 · #7 2010-04-14, 7:30pm

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll try it without the clear tomorrow. I made our spacers without the clear and they were fine. I just wanted a focal to go with it and they kept cracking. I'll try it without the clear this time.

Judith, I find that I can get a better shape if I start with clear. I started doing it just with white and dark ivory to keep the base firmer and just kept doing it. Just habit I guess. Saves on the more expensive glass too. Except Lemon Grass that is...LOL

theglasszone · #8 2010-04-14, 9:13pm

Some "yellow" beads don't take kindly to being encased with nor encasing over clear

Although technically this isn't a "yellow" as we standardly know it, might it be that because it seems to strike a little yellow it may have the same tendency to "reject" clear? Not sure...

I agree that maybe trying it minus the clear core might be the key...

De

MelanieG · #9 2010-04-14, 9:33pm

Any transparent in the middle of the bead will have the same press-effect as coring with Clear, so you should enjoy the same effect with Lemongrass.

I do this with all of the transparent colours I buy that I don't end up liking.

simvet02 · #10 2010-04-22, 12:46pm

I finally got around to making another lemongrass bead without the clear core. It worked, no cracking. Now I will have to put that in the back of my already cluttered brain and try to remember that I can't use a clear core with it.

Melanie, I have a whole pile of transparent colors that I could use. Some are a bit more stiff than clear but I know what you mean.