Here you see some of the examples of some of my more recent cracked beads. I tryed out some new techniques like shaping with my marver and using some of the twisties I have been making. Unfortutely a lot of them cracked. Maybe some of the beads could have been cracked due to stress in the glass because of familymembers walking in and out the door causing drafts. I know the glass I'm using is compatible so that could not be the cause. Well whatever the reason I was searching some of the forums I visit to find tools that could help me prevent it.
What you see here is a tool I made for slowly cooling off my lampwork. The example I found on the forum was made with an aluminium bucket for the exterior but since I work in my livingroom I decided to make it look a bit nicer and used a ceramic flowerpot. Inside is a lamp with a ceramic socket. The intention is to light the lamp when you start lampworking so the vermiculite will be nicely warm and the hot bead will not be cooling down too quickly.
The best way ofcourse is to place the bead in a hot kiln but I don't have one yet...
Reacties (2)
How is this working for you so far? I've had great luck (so far) with my ceramic fiber blankets, but a kiln is on my wish list, though I'd like to get one I can fuse glass in and fire small ceramics too.
Gepubliceerd op 07 september 2007
I'm have to say I'm not totally thrilled about it. It works ok for one night but when I turn it on the next day the lamp failes the moment I turn it on.
Basicly it means I have to put in a new lamp everytime I want to use it.
The original was using a simple brown keramic flowerpot placed inside an iron bucket so maybe it's because I also used a ceramic pot for the outside and therefore it stays to warm (wich I believe was the purpose at least for the beads)
I'm looking around at the moment to buy a kiln. I also would like to use it for small ceramic, enamel and fusing projects just like you.
Gepubliceerd op 07 september 2007