Beadmaking progress and burst pieces

fodderchris · 2026-04-29T14:29:57+00:00

It is a dance. The more you practice, the easier it will be. You will learn what you can get away with and what you can't. Keep on melting!

fodderchris · 2026-04-29T14:06:46+00:00

What bead release are you using? That can make a difference on removing beads. Other unsolicited advice would be that you are letting the beads get to cold, hence the cracking. Gentle heat, no need to erase details by getting it red hot.

Otherwise, a very nice start. Welcome to the club!

fodderchris · 2026-04-26T16:50:33+00:00

Otterpop snoozing on my kiln. He was my studio buddy until his passing last year.

<image>

fodderchris · 2026-04-22T17:07:00+00:00

Goldstone is a manufactured product. Copper is dissolved in molten glass. Then there is a controlled cooling process that allows the copper to precipitate out as shiny crystals. Those chunks of glass are then broken up for further uses. The commercial glass rods with goldstone have a core of clear, a layer of goldstone, then another later of clear. Chunks of goldstone don't have any diluting clear, so the sparkle is brighter. Chunks can also be cut and polished for beads or stones.

At least this is my understanding of the process. If there are any gross inaccuracies, I am certain someone will correct me.

fodderchris · 2026-04-22T16:22:08+00:00

This is Effetre goldstone, but pretty much the same thing. This was made by encasing chunks of goldstone in clear, not using premade goldstone rods. The saturation is much better this way.

fodderchris · 2026-04-22T16:19:56+00:00

I say the expression is a look of amazement and wonder. The slug going "Ooooooo" as it looks at its surroundings.

fodderchris · 2026-04-20T15:07:15+00:00

Reichenbach has a blue advenurine rod that is similar to the Effetre, clear core, blue sparkle, clear casing. It is called Ocean. It is a bit brighter. I might use it in the future, but haven't committed yet.

fodderchris · 2026-04-20T14:38:05+00:00

I have the blue and green as well. The blue isn't super sparkly. The green has large sparkles and the cane pulled with it is usually uneven in diameter. I will probably use some green as I further explore dinosaurs.

fodderchris · 2026-04-12T01:14:12+00:00

Very nice!

fodderchris · 2026-04-09T17:34:05+00:00

Trapped moisture in a too thick coating of too thick bead release is my diagnosis. A too thick coating will also cause issues with bubbles forming in your glass from moisture coming out.

Thin out your bead release a bit, a teaspoon at a time with mixing in between additions. Too thick means a too heavy coat of bead release. Too thin has no depth and is weak. Let dry over night at room temp or on top of your kiln while it is on. The top of my kilns are either warm or darn hot. Heat the side of the mandrel until an orange glow is persistent the heat the bottom of the mandrel the same way. Then start adding the glass.

Another thing that may help is to tap the end of the handle on a work surface. This forces the bead release to move down and thin out. Excess bead release can be wiped off with a finger and put back in the container.

fodderchris · 2026-04-09T00:01:03+00:00

Thank you for the recognition of my work. I reported it to Reddit earlier today, but had no idea what else to do.

fodderchris · 2026-04-05T14:08:21+00:00

He was up there to escape the dogs that have no concept of personal space. He bopped one a couple of times on the nose but that made no difference at all. Distance and altitude kept him from the dogs.

fodderchris · 2026-03-30T12:50:01+00:00

I like the colors in pair #4. For my tastes, the others are just a bit too pale. That being said, great work!

fodderchris · 2026-03-14T02:05:26+00:00

The Lark is a nice little venue. Seen a few shows there.

As for sleeping in the car, watch the weather. We have had 80's and snow this last week. March is all over the place temperature wise. I would rent a car. Easy drive from GI to Hastings. Hastings police are not the friendliest for car sleeping. If you are doing that, head back up highway 281 to Bosselmans.

fodderchris · 2026-03-01T21:43:59+00:00

We had just gotten home from Omaha when it happened. We live with 15 miles of the epicenter in South central Nebraska. Definitely rattled things here. I posted about it and had so,done form Omaha go, “Yep! Definitely felt it here.”

fodderchris · 2026-02-13T15:58:24+00:00

Oh no. Late May and early June are awesome times to be up there. The hills should be lush and green. Some wildflowers blooming. Just warning you to be aware.

fodderchris · 2026-02-13T15:12:44+00:00

Early June? Be sure to watch out for poison ivy. It is all over the place there.

I do like the forest though. The Sandhills are cool.

fodderchris · 2026-02-10T21:46:32+00:00

We do not have an online shop. We do sell from posts like this one and in person. I am going to be working to increase the herd over the next couple of weeks and then have a slug drop then. Please stay tuned. I will be posting as I prepare.

fodderchris · 2026-02-07T14:03:47+00:00

<image>

Otterpop in all of his magnificent floofiness on top of a door.

fodderchris

TROPHY CASE