gold fuming?

[tluvs2create]

I read some tips here, tried them and really didn't get much gold on my bead if at all. I reread and am thinking maybe I didn't keep the bead warm enough. But, I am also wondering was it because I used my gold leaf? I read that it would work, and the recommendation was to ball it up before putting it on a rod. Well, you know leaf, it is so thin and fly away that it was impossible to ball up, so I just burnished it on the end of the rod. Could this be the problem? If it is, then where do I find some chunks of gold for fuming?
Thanks
Tricia

[DesertDreamer]

Doretha (Dr Meow) taught us to do fuming in her seashell class at GS. She used a boro rod with gold leaf burnished on (I think it was just one sheet, folded and burnished in multiple layers). It worked like a charm! You have to get the rod good & hot, and you'll start seeing a greenish tint to the flame. Hold your bead just a few inches beyond the rod, right in that greenish stream.

I was very happily surprised at how easy it was.

[tluvs2create]

Thanks
I am going to go give it another try!

[Ashmo]

I find it's better to keep the piece you are fuming a little on the colder side, than warm. It never seems to stick when my piece is too warm(when it's starting to glow orange).

[Cosmo]

22k works better than 24k. Wire works MUCH MUCH better than leaf or foil.

You want a hot, oxidizing flame, and get the gold as hot as you can get it.

[menty666]

I always wondered, how do you do that neat pink using gold fume? I know it involves white, but I don't know if you fume the white before laying it down, fuming the glass before laying down white, or ???

[nagibeads]

fume over white or blue is gorgeous!
For inside out work, fume first , then lay in the color.....when you compress it down, the pink concentrates and it looks cool

[menty666]

neat, thanks!

[evolvingBeau]

It also helps to use a slightly reducing flame to get the pinks out of gold and can sometimes be more productive than an oxidizing flame. Experiment with different flames, but always scale it down to a really small flame so it's easier to heat just the bump of metal and not the whole tip of the rod. Ymmv depending on what torch you're using.
The first burst of fume has a more "gold" look as well so bouncing the gold in and out of the flame to repeat this is another option.
I second the 22k wire as the best bet, it may not be an issue (haven't tried it) but 24k gold has a tendency to rub off of boro (if it's on the surface) when cool. 22k does not but gives the same effect, as well as being cheaper=win win.

[Cosmo]

Originally Posted by menty666

I always wondered, how do you do that neat pink using gold fume? I know it involves white, but I don't know if you fume the white before laying it down, fuming the glass before laying down white, or ???

It has to do with the colors being reflected through the gold fume. If it's a dark background color, it appears green or gold (depending on how heavy the fume is). If you can see through it, it's pink. Also, I guess since white reflects so much light, it's pink.

You can get a lot of other colors by combining gold and silver fuming, but that's the subject for another thread...

[Tesorobeads]

Oh boy I am dying to try gold wire fuming!! Where do you guys buy your wire?

Debbie

[evolvingBeau]

Originally Posted by Tesorobeads

Oh boy I am dying to try gold wire fuming!! Where do you guys buy your wire?

Debbie

I get mine from Rio Grande.. 22k gold coins can be snipped up into bits too.

[menty666]

I got my wire from Kristian (Generations Glass). He sells it by the inch.

[Granger'sGlass]

Mountain glass has 22k wire.
http://www.mountainglassarts.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2234/.f