Comments for Frantz Newsletter

Comment on Tip and Techniques: Making Your Own Shards by Francesca DeCaire

Francesca DeCaire — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 10:16:58 +0000

Very neat. That’s just like blowing a kidney for making a hole in a blown vessel. I’ll have to try shards some time.

Comment on Got an Itch for More Carlo Dona Tools? by toby Walters

toby Walters — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 13:38:08 +0000

do you have a tutorial for using the bell flower press?

Comment on What is a Cotisso? by Debbie McDonald

Debbie McDonald — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:36:20 +0000

Patti,
I guess this means that we aren’t able (like how?) to melt and use them as lampworking glass?
This reminds me of a pendant a friend wore that was made from the layers of paint from a car assembly plant – I forget what she called it but it was beautiful!
Just like these!
Thanks!

Comment on What is a Cotisso? by Nina Dusedau

Nina Dusedau — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:15:50 +0000

Thanks Patti. I love learning about the manufacturing process of the glass we use. I was fascinated by the fact that the Cotisso chunks are used in the process of making the new glass. Thanks for giving us a peek into the world of glass that most of us will never see for ourselves.
Nina

Comment on What is a Cotisso? by Amy

Amy — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 05:33:03 +0000

Thanks, as always for the wonderful history lesson Patty – I really enjoy your blog

Comment on Tips and Techniques: How to Deal with Devitrifying Opaque Glass Colors by patfrantz

patfrantz — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:38:04 +0000

Hi Michelle,

The way I get EDP to turn purple instead of ugly gray, I introduce a little more propane to my flame. I have not worked this issues out on a Hot Head because I rarely use a Hot Head torch.

The atomosphere of a Hot Head torch flame is very different than that of an oxygen/propane flame, there are no options to change the flame on a Hot Head and this doesn’t leave you any way to change the flame to please the glass.

Another tip that might help you in your quest to use EDP is, after I complete making the shape of a bead and I am finishing the surface polishing in the flame, I cool the bead down a little bit and then I introduce it to the far tip of the flame and kiss the surface of the bead to heat just the very top layer of the EDP and that sometimes brings the gold pink back to the surface and produces a beautiful bead.

There is a free tutorial on www,lampworketc.com in the “Tips and Technique” section that might be helpful to you, that was written by a beadmaker who really gets great color out of EDP.

Good Luck with your beadmaking.

Comment on Tips and Techniques: How to Deal with Devitrifying Opaque Glass Colors by Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 03:23:36 +0000

I LOVE purple but cannot make EDP (254) work on my hothead. I also live your Calico glass but don’t want to buy until I fix the chalky devitrifying issue. My problem is I don’t understand your directions above regarding the torch flame, etc. Can you please explain in more detail and/or share pictures as an example?
Can this be done on a HH? I suspect my HH is biased to a reducing flame ( I think that’s less oxygen, right?) because I never have an issue getting silvery glass colors to turn silver (reduce). I have assumed that is was why I could never get my purple EDP to work.
All hints are appreciated!!
Thank you,
Michelle

Comment on How to get the Perfect Clear 104 COE Glass by Kathe Lewis

Kathe Lewis — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 11:35:17 +0000

I am a goldsmith, so I always have a sulpuric acid bath ready. Did wonders, so all is pickled now!
But, I am very interested in the chemistry in glass (and metals), so I wonder if anybody know exactly what the pickling does? My point is, depending on the chemical process happening, it does matter which acid is used. Different acids doesnt’ work the same way, and I have read about people trying with citric acid, lemon juice, household vinegar etc.
Knowing for sure, on silver it wouldnt’ work!

Comment on Tips and Techniques: Keeping Opal Glass Translucent by Karen Sherwood

Karen Sherwood — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:15:39 +0000

Don’t forget about Cirrus! Worked cool and gently, or applied as a thin encasing or stringer, it retains its lovely moonstone quality. One of my favorites. Oh, and about Ghee…more heat but quick work turns it into a delicious browned-butter color while retaining the translucence.

Comment on How to get the Perfect Clear 104 COE Glass by Valerie

Valerie — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:25:56 +0000

Great Tip!!!
I will definitely be pickling from now on and what’s really nice is I already have the Pickling solution and don’t have to do any shopping. LOL