Did I learn what I think I learned???

[lisabk]

Working on a HH outside in the wind is fun!
Finally got some good beads that did not crack on me after the came out of the kiln. Think I might have figured out where to be in the flame and when to get them in the kiln. Next batch will tell if I was just lucky.

Regarding the different glasses ~ wondering if what I experienced is what those of you that are more experienced have found.

Moretti ~ I struggle with this glass for some reason. Used a few colors....Light blue, trans dark blue, orange. (these were in a unmarked sample pack so I don't know exactly which ones they are) It is almost so soft that my beads come out wonkier and more football like. I feel like I have no control, even higher in the flame with not a huge flame. It is me?

CIM....love it...melts like butter but I seem to have more control...it goes on smoother. Used the pumpkin...love the pumpkin. One bead has some dark streaks....was I working too hot?

Bullseye....I fuse so I have TONS of this. I cut a few colors into strips about as wide as a pencil. I find this stiffer but man can I get a nice round bead of of this with less effort.

Would love your comments!

[Flonche]

Hey Lisa,
I worked on a HH for 2 years but never outside in the drafts or wind! Sounds challenging.
Re: Moretti, usually transparents are stiffer than opaques, and they're easier to practice with because of that. Black is the ideal glass for practicing.
A lot of CIM colors are also stiffer than most Effetre, but I too find that they flow beautifully. I'm not sure if your "dark streaks" are darker streaks of the glass color or brownish/grayish streaks from working hot, so I can't tell.
I am not familiar with BE at all, so can't say anything. I was told that it was great for hollows because of the stiffness.

I find that the HH flame can be pretty hot, especially if you have it cranked up at the max (although it sounds like you are indeed using the possibilities of "tune up and down" of the HH). I always kept it turned down when I had one.

Have fun!

[theglasszone]

Hi Lisa~

Quick answers to your questions are:

Yes
Yes, and
Yes!

Regarding Moretti - especially the opaques over the transparents...these are quite soft! When working with WHITE especially - whoa! A tip to turn the "football" back to round: Remember the glass is drawn to the heat. If you heat one of the "short" (flatter) sides of your football, then flip the mandrel and heat the other flatter side - working and flipping first one flat-side-up, then (opposite) flat side up again, this should help to pull those pointier ends to the flatter sides and help round out the bead. Then give it a nice even heating and spin the entire mandrel in the flame to evenly heat the entire "donut".

Regarding the CiM - ain't it just dreamy!?! CiM colors are some of my favorites! On the pumpkin - especially the "dark" and "odd" versions - these are sort of streaking colors and will show variations of tone.

Bullseye, being a lower COE, is definitely a stiffer glass! Because it will take some time to learn to "tame" and control the moretti and CiM (softer) over the Bullseye (stiffer), you will probably feel the Bullseye is easier to control at this point. Give it some time and practice, though, and you'll get the hang of both.

Just remember - you can mix the Moretti and CiM (both COE 104) but don't mix these with Bullseye or you'll have some annealing and cracking issues!

Glad you had fun! Don't give up and know that practice will make perfect (donuts and rounds!)

De

[tammydownunder]

When I was on a HH, I could not see the flame with my diddies. I used to look under them so I could see the soda flare. Once I figured out where I was supposed to be, I could look through my glasses.