Message Board Archives, Page 1

Edited archives from the glass discussion board - May 31, 1997 to July 24, 1997

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May 31, 1997 -- 17:02 -- From: -- NchanteeBd@aol.com

Name: Terri Dubinski
Homepage address: http://

Messages: Brad, If someone really wanted to just stick their toe into making a blown-glass bead (small to medium size) it seems that you are saying that they could do it with the Minor Bench Burner. What exactly would you recommend (btw, just LOVED your "weasel clause") for a blowpipe and the best glass to purchase (type, brand, source, etc) to experiment. I really want to do this but I have already spent WAY too much money on supplies, so your suggestions would be valued. Do you melt one end of the tube into a blob? How do you keep the nice neat little holes in the ends? Do the blown beads need to be annealed just like soft glass beads? You are so cool to answer questions for us aspiring glass junkies!!! Thanks

Jun 5, 1997 -- 13:18 -- From: -- brad@handmade-glass.com

Name: Brad Shute
Homepage address: http://

Messages: Terri, The equipment you already have is fine for blown beads. The Minor torch is a good one for this. You just need some glass tubing and lots of practice. As I said on my Q and A page 2, making blown beads is FAR more difficult than solid beads. For a blowpipe, you use the tubing itself (you blow into one end). I'll try to finish answering your question when I have some more time. Brad

Jun 10, 1997 -- 16:17 -- From: -- marcsoen@skynet.be

Name: soens marcel
Homepage address: http://

Messages: I'm interested in building an electric glassfurnace with silicon carbide bars. can you help? I can pay for your information. any help is welcome.

Jun 20, 1997 -- 12:52 -- From: -- brad@handmade-glass.com

Name: Brad Shute
Homepage address: http://

Messages: Bonjour Marcel, I am sorry it took so long to answer your message. I was the teaching assistant for a lampworking class at the Corning Museum of Glass last week, and haven't had time to check the message board recently. Let me know what information you need and I will try to help. Brad - P.S. I forgot to ask where you are located.

Jul 10, 1997 -- 12:16 -- From: -- pigmywzl@ix.netcom.com

Name: Berit Andersen
Homepage address: http://

Messages: I have a collection of glass animal figures (20-50) that I would like to sell. Where is a good place to try to sell these and get a good price for them? Thank you.

Jul 12, 1997 -- 03:11 -- From: -- address: http://

Messages: Hi Berit, Ouch! That's one I don't have an answer for. I honestly don't know what the secondary market for glass animals is. Perhaps you could try auctioning them at http://www.ebay.com or check the glass discussion groups on the web. I'll be adding some URL's for a few within a couple of days - stay tuned. A more detailed description of the animals should help - are they lampworked or done out of the furnace, how big, etc. If you'd like to post the info here, and include any prices, you are welcome to. Sorry I can't be more help than that. Brad

Jul 15, 1997 -- 03:03 -- From: -- jafmmb@xyz.net

Name: Michele
Homepage address: http://

Messages: Hi Brad Thanks for the great info you e-mailed me. Will write a more extensive message and e-mail you. I wanted to give you 3 addresses for borosilicate. Glasscraft (303) 2784670 Ed Hoy 1-800-4684527 Wale Apparatus 1-800-334WALE Maybe these will help. Thanks for having a glass discussion board. Michele

Jul 21, 1997 -- 21:24 -- From: -- acanthus@clubi.ie

Name: Marten Crawford
Homepage address: http://www.clubi.ie/acanthus

Messages: Hi Brad, thanks for the B.B. service. Is it easy to make my own flashed glass, by dipping the bubble into molten glass of a different colour, and how do I get a smooth surface on the part of the glass which touches the mold, do I have to coat it with whitening ? I seen to get little indents in the surface. Thanks , Marten

Jul 24, 1997 -- 10:49 -- From: -- brad@handmade-glass.com

Name: Brad Shute
Homepage address: http://

Messages: Hi Marten, I assume you mean by "dipping the bubble" that you are blowing your own flashed glass. I don't know what type of mold you are blowing into, but I doubt if whiting would help your problem with small indents. I would suggest a wooden blow mold. Fruitwood works best, cherry and apple wood are good for blow molds. Keep it soaked it in water, burn it in by blowing into it a few times with something that will be thrown away, until you have a good layer of charcoal on the surface, and then use it for blowing your muffs (cylinders for making flat glass). Keep it wet between uses! Blow gently and keep turning the piece as you blow. You will probably get some small lines around the circumference of the cylinder from the wood mold, but you may be able to firepolish these out be reheating the piece (you may even like the look of them). The thinner and larger the piece is, the tougher it will be to firepolish without collapsing the shape. Let me know if this was any help or if you need any more info. Good luck. Brad