Color Testing - Gaffer Clear

A couple weeks ago the Gaffer Gals from Gaffer Glass USA had a booth at the Northwest Bead Society Bazaar and they brought samples of their new 104 COE Clear. They wanted us to check it out and I got to my torch is try it out. The striped beads above are CIM commando, peace and Effetre medium red cased in Gaffer Clear. It had a nice working consistency. It was butter soft and melts really smoothly. I didn't have any scumming, but did some little seed bubbles, but they seem to have disappeared once on the beads.It has nice optic clarity and depth.

I have to say that so many lampworkers use the silver glass from Double Helix, Precision, TAG, etc that I really wish that this clear worked better with the silver colors. It turned my Clio green.  I had very limited amount of sample, so I only used it over clio. I'm not sure how it reacts with other silver colors, but suspect will be similar given how silver colors are made. The beads below on the left side are the Gaffer clear over clio (which is over opal yellow). For some reason it was super hard to catch the green in the photo, but the bead on the top is even more green than on the photo. The larger bead on the bottom has significantly less green so much so that you can barely see it, but is over all "muddy" to my eyes, like there is a greenish tinge over the bead. If worked right, it could be ok if you could control the green.  The center of the large bead is partially the opal yellow showing through and is enhanced by the green tinge.  On the smaller bead the top has a green cast over the pink, which gives an OK color to the clio, but the bottom is full on chartreuse green (much more so in person) and it is metallic in real life as well. Really ugly, muddy and not sell-able. It is the same issue that Aether gives with clio, I hunted  for a photo and finally found one, on the right below. At the very bottom is Clio with Effetre clear or zephyr and it is the bright pink we know and love.

Finally thoughts: YAY nice clear over regular colors, NO over Clio. 

I don't know when this will be available nor the price, but if a decent price, will get for casing non silver colors.

Honey Mustard vs Opal Yellow

Another color testing thread from me. I read a post by DragonJools about a newish color from CIM called Honey Mustard. As soon as I could get some I ordered it from Frantz. I was intrigued by her comments about Opal Yellow and this color having some of the similar properties, especially with EDP. I made some of these lentils that I last made in 2006. What I liked about these beads is that the EDP reacts with the Opal Yellow to form a bright orange color where they meet. In this set the center three beads are made with Opal Yellow and the three on the far left are Honey Mustard (the three on the right I can't remember). I think the bright yellow and orange color is similar in both, but a tad more orange on the Opal Yellow. The Honey Mustard didn't get as pink as the Opal Yellow, however, because I can't tell on the other three, it is really close.   Click on the photo to find these beads on Etsy.

Here is a focal on the left with the Honey Mustard (HM) and Intense Black IB) and the other two are some older Opal Yellow (OY) and Intense Black beads.  It is a little hard to compare these exactly as I find that Intense Black worked differently on my Hot Head torch that I know the 2004 bead was made on (can't remember on the 2007).  I found that the IB didn't web as much on the HM, but more like a spreading all over the bead. You can see some cool blue and green colors on the HM bead and I think that is worth trying to replicate. You can see similar colors on the top OY bead.  The yellow colors are very similar and I did get some pink blush on the HM bead, which is encouraging.

 I am not an official color testing for any glass companies, so my opinions are mine alone.

Beads for Shows

I have been starting to MAKE BEADS for three bead shows I'm going to do this year. The first up is the Whole Bead Show in Lynnwood WA in early May. EEEK. I have been busting my wrists to twist that mandrel and keep those beads warm. This is what I have come up with for new sets. Yes they are on a paper plate (needed to put them somewhere).

I cleaned and strung these all up over the last two days. I do not recommend procrastinating cleaning beads. Just do a few at a time, so much easier. I think there are around 50 sets here.

My focals were pushed off the plate for the photo, but I thought I would start with sets. Really was into production mode here and I haven't done much of that before, but it was a way to make a lot of beads in a short time. I missed a few (like red with just the silver wire and green with the ivory stripe with silver wire). Purples are in the kiln now. I kept telling my mom I wasn't done and needed to make a set in dark teal or pink (to come) and she said "do you have to make the entire rainbow." Silly mom, of course! Can't skip one color.

Which color is your favorite? I think I like the white beads with Copper Green polka dots or the red with different sized polka dots.

Bead Soup Party Blog Show and Tell Day

My bead soup came from Deci Worland (Blog and Etsy). I was able to make three items and have beads left over. She sent a super cute beetle focal. It is ceramic or clay. Deci said: "The focal is from Andrew Thornton, I am not sure if he made it or someone else. The smaller handcrafted beads are from Jardanne." I don’t know if that is the glass beads or the cool enameled bead. If anyone knows let me know. Deci choose colors that I love, thanks Deci! I really like the bright green color and purple is my favorite. The base color of the focal bead is a deep purple almost black.

I am a lampwork bead artist and I wanted to incorporate my beads into the piece. There are several colors of glass that come close to the color of the beetle background and they all have a neat finish. I made TONS. The color I liked the best did not match at all. I ended up with a lot of beads that looked similar and they are purple or black with a slight iridescent finish. I had a hard time picking them apart and now when I look at the finished piece I can pick out the ones that don’t match the others. Darn it! I’m not sure if it looks OK all mixed up or not. For those that are interested I used Dark Silver Plum and Gunmetal. The color that did not match was Dark Metallic Black.

Deci sent a cooper clasp and these cool puffy copper triangle beads. I need to get more of these, they are so fun! I choose the lightest and brightest green gem beads. I think they maybe moss agate. I anyone knows, please let me know.

I used some bright green seed beads to attach the focal and clasp to the necklace.



Green and purple are a classic combination and I wanted to use these fun shaped purple beads in earrings. I couldn't decide if they should be on the top or the bottom of the earrings, so why not both!

Finally I used the black gem beads (these have a very faint strip of grey/white which is more evedent in some beads that other, but didn't show up in the photo.) I paired these with some bead caps and sterling findings for these cute earrings. I don't know what these gems are, but would like to know I have several left. I think it might be black agate.

I had a great time with the Bead Soup Party. I hope to participate in the future. Many thanks to Deci for sending my beads and huge thanks to Lori for organizing the party.

There lots of blogs to visit for the Bead Soup Blog Party. There are 362 blog particiapants from five contients and 21 contries.

Check them all out here.

Are Gaffer 198 and 199 new Zimmerman 99? (Also a comparison between the Gaffer colors and the recent new Reichenbach color R733 and Z99).

I received some samples of Gaffer’s new glass to work with this week and I was super excited. The new colors are Gaffer 198 Royal Purple (G198 on the top above) and Gaffer 199 Purple Rose (G199 on the bottom above). I am always excited by the possibility of new colors. With the very cool Zimmerman 99 Purple Rose Special (Z99) no longer being made, it is neat that the other companies are trying to create something similar. Even if not exactly the same, they are all pretty cool on their own.

I found both new colors VERY SOFT. As I work fairly hot, this can be interesting. I also found the Gaffer glass some how less think or less sticky than the Zimmerman. Not sure how else to describe this. I have read on some Facebook and LE posts that this glass does not devitrify. Well, that is not the case, it does, just like Z99 and R733 and EDP. I find that all of these 96 COE purples do not devit as badly as EDP and the shiny is very easily recovered by heating up the bead. I found G198, R733 and Z851 devit the quickest. I got devit on these purple colors only after cooling and reheating and it is worse when cooled with a tool.

Above you can see a group of beads from each of the new Gaffer colors. You can see the G198 as more red undertones and the G199 is bluer. I like the blue better. Not just because it is closer to the original z99, but I like a blue purple over a red purple. In each grouping you can see a set of solid colored spacer beads on the left hand side, these are were cooled quickly (as was the chubby focal in the G198 set). After talking with Gaffer, I was told to get more color use a cool slow down, not quick with tools. The other two focals of the G198 group and the one in the G199 group were made with this slow cool down. I formed the bead, shaped it, then let it cool down, then spot reheated, let cool and reheated again, I got more colors to develop this way. I even got some peach on the tall barrel bead. The pinker spacer beads in the front of each photo were also treated this way.

FOCALS

Above is Z99 frit on Opal Yellow Effetre (OY) and shaped with gravity. You can see a lot of orange and red forming. Also seen here is the pitting I got a lot when super heating furnace glass frit. You can see this more on the bead below. Find this bead on Etsy.

G198 on Opal Yellow. Bead shows the reaction between the purple frit and Opal Yellow being medium orange.. You can see in this bead some lighter areas of color, this is devit (I could not heat it out without getting rid of the raised twist. I actually like how it looks. It adds some texture to the bead. G199 on Opal Yellow. You can see the blue showing up on this bead and a little bit of reaction between the frit and the Opal yellow. I like that the dark yellow hasn’t taken over the entire bead. I think because it was not worked as long as the G198 or Z99 bead.

R733 frit on Opal Yellow and shaped with gravity. This bead has a lot of blue left over and not as much mustard. Again, I think if it was worked longer, more dark yellow would have developed, you can see it starting on top. Check out this bead on Etsy.

ROUNDS

All of these round beads were made the same way: a twisty of Opal Yellow and the purple color on top of Copper Green Effetre. These were the first beads I made with this technique and they are the Z99. This is what is so cool with this glass, you can do the same technique and the same colors and get something different. You can see here more yellow that orange and that one bead with the fuchsia.

On the R733 beads the Opal Yellow turned very mustard, much darker than the Z99. I think they are not as pretty as the Z99 beads, but still very interesting. A couple of the beads didn’t turn mustard at all (they are hiding in the back). Check these out on Etsy.
These G198 beads were made before I heard about the slow cooling. I made these beads, shaped in the roller tool, heated to get the chill marks off and then put them in the kiln. As you can see they have a lot of mustard/orange, no blue and lots of pits.
These beads made with G198 show a lot more variation in color than the original set. With these I shaped in the roller, then reheated, cooled and reheated to get the colors to bloom. Still a lot of orange reaction color between the OY and the G198.
These beads used G199. You can see a lot more blue and light purple variations in these beads. In fact these are the areas that devitrified (but has been reheated to a shine). This is the type of reaction I like to see with these purple 96 COE glasses. Also there is not as much orange than the previous beads.
Here is a bead I made with all the colors of purple I have. I think I have the lines drawn correctly on this bead, but it was a little hard to find the difference between the G199 and R733. I think that it maybe the line below the black line, but I really can’t tell. As you can see the G198 really looks redder in this photo. Typically my Z851 is bluer than seen here too. Just goes to show you that the colors are pretty close to each other. Finally I have a side by side comparison of beads made separately. Top = Z99, 2nd from top = R733, 3rd from top = G199 and bottom =G198

Conclusion – I think G198 is the most similar to Z99, but I love having the variety of colors the play with and there is a color that will work for everyone’s like and style. Pick one you like and have fun. I think

Is Reichenbach 733 Purple Rose the new Zimmerman 99?

Left bead = Z99, Right bead R733

On Olympic Color Rod’s (OCR) website I saw this new color (I don't know how new it is, but it is new to me), Reichenbach 733 (R733) in lampworking cane. I was excited by the possibility that Reichenbach was trying to recreate the beloved and in very short supply Zimmerman 99 (Z99)which is no longer being made. Despite my trying to not buy glass this year, I caved. Not only is purple my favorite color but, Z99 is so cool. On the website OCR said: “Purple Rose, similar to Zimmermann's "Purple Rose Special."

I got my Reichenbach 733 (R733) very quickly (as I live less than an hour from OCR) and it was in my hot little hands. Here you will see a group of R733 beads all together. You can see the undertones are very blue (maybe even some greens), but check out that dark purple disk on the top! YUMMERS.

At the very top you will see 2 peace sign beads in Z99 and R733, here you can see the real difference. These are solid colors so no reactions between anything. I don’t have any Z851 Lilac Blue but I think R733 maybe closer to that color, if my memory is correct.

FOCALS

First bead Z99 frit on Opal Yellow Effetre and shaped with gravity (not the best photo of a cool bead). This bead has been etched.

Second bead R733 frit on Opal Yellow Effetre and shaped with gravity.

On the Z 99 bead you can see a lot of pink. I’m not sure this is a super fair comparison as the Z99 bead was really heated a lot and worked on a lot longer than the R733 bead. On the top of the R733 bead you can see some dark pink coming out, but there is a lot more blue.

ROUNDS

All of these round beads were made the same way: a twisty of Opal Yellow and the purple color on top of Copper Green Effetre.

On these Z99 beads you see a lot of pink coming out on the beads and a tiny little bit or orange peeking through (it was there, I promise). I think I had a lot more purple in these twisties.

These were the first beads I made with this technique and they are the Z99. This is what is so cool with this glass, you can do the same technique and the same colors and get something different. These beads made the same way had more orange/mustard colors.

On the R733 beads the Opal Yellow turned very mustard, much darker than the Z99. I think they are not as pretty as the Z99 beads, but still very interesting. A couple of the beads didn’t turn mustard at all (they are hiding in the back). Check these out on Etsy.

Conclusion: While it is not the same, it is cool on it’s own, and a good first start. I hope that Reichenbach continues to tweet the formula. It has a lot of possibilities and I’m excited about what I’m seeing.

New Beads and Bead to Orbit

I seems like the Shuttle Launch is a go for tomorrow morning. I sure hope so, my little bead is ready to go. Check out the last launch at 8:56am EST. Wish it was a little later for those of us on the west coast. YAY for TIVO. Check out my blog post for more about my bead in space.

RETRO

I also listed some new beads today. The first set is a turquoise and orche set. Very Retro and the second set as some fun summery colors. Click on the photos for links to the Etsy.

SUMMER PICNIC

Beads in Space!

A view of all the beads going into space on the shuttle. my chimp bead is in the top left hand corner.

EXCITING NEWS!!!!

The bottom chimp is going to space, yay! Now I'm wondering why I didn't send the top chimp, I think it was the ears.

Group shot of all my rockets.

I got some exciting news this week. I have a bead going into space with the next Space Shuttle launch. Yes, it is the last scheduled launch. It is now or never to get something in space, right? How did this come about? (Read this article about last year's launch and how NASA teamed up with BOC to bring encouaragment to children being treated in hospitals around the globe for serious illnesses).

Check out this video of BOC on CBS Sunday Morning.

Fire Diva Fantasy Shopping

I’d filled in for Kathleen for Fire Divas' Fantasy shopping Saturday today. We have so many beads in our shops both on ArtFire and Etsy, not to mention personal websites; I was not quite sure where to start. I decided to just click on the shops starting at the top of the blog and in Amy’s shop (ahouston) I came across the beautiful blue earrings below. Today was a beautiful day here in Seattle with a crisp blue sky and come to find out, a lot of the Fire Divas like blue too.
We mostly make beads, but many of us make jewelry too. Check out these ready to wear items in shades of blue, turquoise and green.



Check out links to all of the Fire Divas' shops at our Blog: Fire Divas

Ahouston

Stunning blue and aqua beads make up these beautiful earrings. I love that the beads and similar, but don’t match exactly. The raised dots MAKE these beads.

Ashlyn Design

Lori’s lovely heart pendant is so cute. I have seen this in person and it is just perfect in shape, dot placement and wire wrapping.

emakaye
Ema’s bracelet is made with a bold turquoise lampwork bead and delicate Viking knit silver wire; a great combo!

BabsBeadsandDesgin

Susanne of made this beautiful bead which she has strung into a pendnat. The colors are soft and watery. I would like to see this bead in person, very cool.

Fire-n-Sand
Karen made this cool pendant from an acorn from her yard. While it is not lampwork glass, it is just as pretty. She electroformed it with copper and then added a stunning turquoise blue patina.

icarusbeads
Judith’s bead is stunning! I keep looking at it and trying to figure out which silver glass she used to make this bead. Judith is an expert at making silvered glass shine. This pendant is paired with a great silk ribbon.

Lutrick
My fine silver ring made with a square disk bead and white spacer bead.

shepherdcreations
Patrice is one of our members that uses boro glass to stunning effect. Check out t his flying dragonfly pendant.

UglyDucklingBeads
Kathleen’s bracelet just makes my smile, it is fun, bright and funky. I would wear this in a minute.

Susanlambert
Susan makes ring blanks (the silver part) that you can buy and add your own beads. I’m tempted to buy one of these for sure.

ART - Glass Beads and Wood in Collaboration

I thought I would share some more non-jewelry applications for beads. I'm showing more collaborative work with my dad, David Lutrick, who is a woodturner. My dad is using my beads to accent his turned vessels.

I have given dad a lot of beads to use over the years as toppers for boxes (see below). These are usually beads that I was not 100% happy with (usually the colors didn't turn out like I wanted, or the end isn't perfect). Once he gets done with them, you can't tell. These little boxes are iron-wood (the dark) with cherry (maybe it is Madrone, I'm not sure).

Dad decided after 2 bags full, to use some of these beads to make Art, with a capital "A." The photo above is an in progress picture. He made this large flat Maple flat vessel (it is 21.75 inches in diameter x 4.5 inches tall). The beads are strung on stainless steal wire (ok mandrel rods, uncut) and bow up and out away from the wood. We are not sure how the public will respond to this Art, but it is always fun to work with my dad.

We didn't count the beads, but estimated there are 110 beads by me. See the tape measure for size comparison.