[Jewelry making - Article 00559] - Re: [Orchid] [Enamel Bits] Getting your Lumps

[Carol Holaday]

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    Karen, On page 3 of the Thompson catalog you will see that you
    can order all of their colors ground to several different mesh
    sizes OR as lumps. You can even order the individual colors as
    6/20 mesh for bead making. This greatly increases your color
    selection from their "mixed lumps". Unless you are planning to
    make your own colors somehow, this should make things much
    simpler for you. 

    What torch/fuel system are you using? Are you getting good clear
    colors? I've tried all the system combinations available except
    the Minor burner that glass bead maker use. So far the best has
    been a "turbo torch" that is propane/air. Unfortunately Sears
    (where I bought it) says it has been discontinued and so the
    second choice set-up that I recommend to students is an
    inexpensive propane tank with tip from the hardware store. Have
    any better suggestions? 

    In Japan I had brief  glass bead making session. The teacher
    annealed her beads in ash. Don't know if this is any safer than
    vermiculite for the lungs, but just another option to explore.
    The glass she uses is much softer than the Moretti glass, melts
    with a bunsen burner type arrangement. Some of her beads were
    faily large. 

Hope this helps.

Carol Holaday 

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