Lampworking - Lighting the Torch
When using my smaller torch, I always lit it with a flint and striker (like the ones in High School Chemistry labs.) Much to my surprise, when I went to light my larger dual-fuel torch with the same flint, the propane came out at a much higher rate, and the flint did not light it on the first or second strikes. On the third strike, a very large fireball was created. Lesson learned: unless you don't care if you lose all of the hair on your arms (I wasn't really fond of mine
Lampworking - Lessons Learned
When I started lampworking, I had a Hothead torch, and a small three pound tank of propane attached directly to the torch and mounted on my table. Because I was still a beginner, making a single simple glass bead took me a long time, and the tank would often get cold, so that I could not get my glass to melting temperature after about 45 minutes. Solution: get a larger propane tank (the grill-size one,) an oxygen concentrator, and a mixed-gas torch. Now my working time li
Glass Fusing - Adding Decorations Found in Nature
I started experimenting with leaves and ferns, seeing how they work with fused glass. I've had mixed results, but one of my favorites so far is this Bright Blue Japanese Maple Leaf Trinket Plate. Yes, this does mean that I'm sacrificing my plants that I love to my glass, but I haven't heard any of them (yet) complain.
Lampworking - Lessons Learned
When I first started lampworking making glass beads, I watched videos on the internet to see how to do it. It looked easy, so off I went - working in the spare bedroom with a beginner glass package, a small torch, and a little bottle of propane (and a fire extinguisher by my side.) My first major problem was with the beads sticking so hard to the steel mandrel that I could not get them off. I tried every suggestion that I could find - to no avail. Finally I got them off b
