A quick hello and a question or two from a "newbie"

KarenLT · #1 11-10-2003, 11:46 AM

Hello!

I'm new to this board and new to bead making ( 9 months ).

I'm sure you will soon know my name by heart ( only because of my constant questions ) but I wanted to go ahead and introduce myself. My name is Karen. You might see posts from my husband ( Jed ) from time to time.

Right now we have a very simple setup. Just a hothead torch and the absolute basics. We don't even have a kiln yet but we're hoping to change that soon as well as switch to a Nortel Minor torch.

So, I guess I'll go ahead and ask a few of my questions. I've had a bit of a hard time getting registered for this site so I've had a few days to think over what I'd like to ask.

1) If you had one suggestion, tip or bit of info to give a newcomer to bead making what would it be?

2) What is the best torch under $250 for basic bead making and small sculptural beads?

3) If you could only pick one lampworking book to own which would it be?

4) Is there ANY site that shows the colors ( not just the name and number ) of all the Moretti glass? I have seen the color charts a hundred times but I'd say that one 1/8th of the Moretti rods I have aren't even on there.

5) Where can you get the best deals on Moretti glass?

6) What tools ( other than your torch, mandrels, glass and kiln ) could you absolutely not go without?

Well, thank you for taking a few minutes to read this. I look forward to getting to know everyone here.

Many thanks!
Karen

craftylady · #2 11-10-2003, 11:56 AM

1. Be patient
2. I think the minor torch. I am also looking for a torch.
3. I only own one book and would suggest you get videos. The book I own is Cindy Jenkins. Making glass beads
4. Yes I will have to look this up
5. I like Art Glass house in FL
6. Picks, Mini Mashers, Marver, and Razor

I hope this helped if you need more info please feel free to ask. Welcome to Wet Canvas.
Laurie

AlexM · #3 11-10-2003, 12:01 PM

Karen,

Welcome to WC! Here are my opinions:

1. Practise and don't let frustration stop you. Just keep at it.

2. Either the minor or the bobcat

3. Passing the Flame by Corina Tettinger

4. There's a listing on Melinda's site www.cauldroncreations.com

5. I usually buy at Arrow Springs or Frantz. Their quantity glass discounts are hard to beat. The more you buy, the more you save.

6. The tools I use most are: graphite marver, brass stump shaper, mashers, tungsten pick, tweezers and pliers.

KarenLT · #4 11-10-2003, 12:15 PM

Nice to meet everyone!

Those are some of the quickest responses I've ever seen!

I have both of the books mentioned here. I still haven't been able to master the flowers or the stratus bead shown in these. *sigh*

The glass dealer in FL would be fantastic since we are in FL. Is it strictly mail order/internet orders?

I haven't heard anything about the Bobcat ( as I said... total newbie here. LOL! ) but I will surely check that out!

I'm still searching for the mini-mashers. I have those horrible massive mashers. Seems that I can do so little with them. Plus, I'm having to scrub rust off them contantly. Maybe that is just one of the joys of living in rainy, humid Florida.

I've noticed different sizes of graphite marvers. What size would either of you suggest? Our beads tend to go no larger than 30mm.

I have another question to throw in before I take off. Are there any tutorials floating around the internet on how to make the mermaids? I've really been hoping to try those.

Thanks for all of your thoughts, tips and links! I'm sure they will be very helpful.

Thanks again!
Karen

craftylady · #5 11-10-2003, 12:23 PM

Karen what part of Fl are you in? Arts glass house is in Cocoa Fl You can go in and buy or they will shipp to you.
I have a pair of Mini Mshers that are the size of tweezers I use. Ilove them. I have some I plan to list in the swap shop. They will be around $6.oo total that is shipping also. I also have a graphite paddle for sale. They would be $15.00 plus shipping. I am not sure of any tutorials on a mermaid. Can you make a godess? If so I will try and walk you through it. You can e-mail me if you would like.
craftylady@otelco.net

AlexM · #6 11-10-2003, 12:26 PM

Sorry, I can't help you with the mermaids.

About the graphite marvers, I have two of them. One is 4" x 4" and I keep it on my work surface. The other graphite marver that I have is a small hand held one about 1.5" x 1". Both come in handy for doing different things.

I have the small mashers about 1.5" x 1" and I have much larger mashers too. Again, they both come in handy, but I would recommend the smaller ones in the beginning.

KarenLT · #7 11-10-2003, 12:45 PM

Hi again!

I'm in Polk County. Right outside Lakeland. Cocoa is a bit of a drive but Jed likes to surf there so I could probably sweettalk him into a day trip.

I have heard about a supply place in Orlando but I haven't looked into it yet.

Where is this swap shop?

No, I haven't seen anything on the godess beads yet. Of course I've seen them in Passing the Flame but I haven't found instructions.

KarenLT · #8 11-10-2003, 12:47 PM

Correction: Passing the Flame isn't one of the books I have! I have Making Glass Beads & Beads of Glass.

BIG price difference there, huh? LOL!

I was wondering if that book is worth the $80. though.

KarenLT · #9 11-10-2003, 12:52 PM

Thanks for your thoughts on the mashers, Alex

I noticed that a lot of posters here are also eBay sellers. I've been selling on eBay since July 2000. I started out with fine jewelry but it just doesn't sell well anymore. I've decided to stick with beads and my fragrance oils.

Is there anyway to find auctions from Wetcanvas members?

mtmorn · #10 11-10-2003, 12:53 PM

Hi Karen and welcome!

1. Patience and practice.
2.Minor or Bobcat
3. Any of Cindy Jenkins books, and/or Passing the Flame by Corina Tettinger.
4.not sure - keep my own color chart
5. I order from Frantz - good service and they are relatively close for me so I get my orders super fast.
6.Toss up for me - my graphite marvers, stump shaper, tweezers!

Have a great time!
Sandi

FLT · #11 11-10-2003, 12:55 PM

Welcome Karen & Jed!

I'm peeking in from work, so pardon me while I only refer to your last post.. Is Passing the Flame worth the money? IMHO, I'd say YES it is.. and the second edition of it will be out in a month or two. I suggest saving up and buying the 2nd edition when it becomes available.. or maybe asking for it as a holiday present? ;-)

You will be able to get it directly from Corina at www.corinabeads.com after the 2nd edition becomes available.

Glad to have you with us on WC!

FL (in Maryland)

latitude40 · #12 11-10-2003, 12:58 PM

Welcome! I'm new too...been torching for 5 weeks now.
1. Tip: The glass wants to be round. If it isn't, then I have to think what am I doing to prevent it from being round? Usually I am trying to rush or I am getting everything too molten. Also, I want to make it right the first time. Sometimes I do...made perfect puckered ends on my first bead. But I have to remember that controlling the glass consistenly only comes with time. I figured I'd have to make 80-100 of each style of bead until I had that technique under control.
2. I think the Minor, but I'm in NO rush to dump my HH. Until I can do everything right with a HH, I have no intentions of upgrading to a bigger torch. I see what some of these people do on HHs so I know it's possible. That's the skill level I want for myself.
3. I love both Cindy Jenkins books because they shows basic beads and are fairly inexpensive, but I flipped when I saw Passing the Flame. That will be my next book as soon as the new edition is released.
4. I got a list on Gemfox (which I think is the same list as Cauldron, but it printed out more neatly due to the web page set-up). I also printed out some links Dale had posted of the moretti colors made into spacers so you could see the color after it was heated. I'm going through the process of making my own spacers and cataloging my rods for future reference (some are unlabeled rods purchased at a stained glass store which makes it tougher).
5. I bought a good bit from Frantz at a bead show, so saved shipping costs. I also bought an order from Bill Thorton (Island Glass?) on ebay and his prices & shipping were very fast & reasonable- well packed, too. I will probably go back to him the next time since I am too dim to figure out how to navigate around Frantz's site.
6. I have very few tools but these I use every time I torch: torch-mounted marver, a pick with a straight & angled point, a dental tool with a 1/4" rounded "paddle" tip on one end and a rectangular tip on the other, needle nose pliers, and my favorite bargain tools from tips here at WC: a cheapo wood chisel for a great marver, and Oneida ice tongs from Target for making lentils.
Also I bought a cheap $10 bench vise from Harbor Freight and I use it to take beads off the mandrels. Just pop the soaked mandrel into the vise, tighten, and use a rubber jar opener to "unscrew" the bead. They come off perfectly and I save my wrist & the bead from any unnecessary wrenching.
My most favorite tool of all is my Craftsman workbench. I bought it at Sears on sale from $150 down to $88. I has 3 tool drawers, a deeper storage drawer and a metal top. I kept the door and the shelf off the left side and prop my feet in there & store my baby MAPPS there. It is so much better, for less money than we would have spent to build the same thing from scratch.

Karen

AlexM · #13 11-10-2003, 01:05 PM

Karen,

About Passing the Flame, it's worth every penny, I'd buy it again in an instant. The 2nd edition will be out shortly, and you can get it on Corina's website.

Many WCers who sell on eBay put 4WC in their titles, so if you do a title search, just type in 4WC and all WC auctions will come up.

mtmorn · #14 11-10-2003, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AlexM
Karen,

About Passing the Flame, it's worth every penny, I'd buy it again in an instant. The 2nd edition will be out shortly, and you can get it on Corina's website.

Whoops had to edit this - submitted the repy with just the quote and no reply!

Have to agree about Corina's book. I was hesitant at the price, but once I saw the book I honestly thought it was a bargain! Also her Spotlight On... whatever that she publishes periodically have absolutely priceless information!

Sandi

KarenLT · #15 11-10-2003, 01:34 PM

Wow! I'm really being made to feel welcomed here! Thanks for all the responses!

What exactly is a stump shaper? That one is new to me.

I will have to look more into the Passing the Flame book. I spoke to one well known beader who said she wasn't really sure that it was worth that much money but I see so many posts here speaking highly of it that I think I need to reconsider.

Ice tongs... I never thought of that! I will have to use that idea about making spacers in all of my colors. I have quite a few colors that are strikers and I have a tendency to forget what they do.

I have to admit... I'm using what appears to be an old cafe table for a work bench. No problems so far and there's lots of room. I would like a better way of keeping my rods organized, though. Jed keeps saying he's going to make a rack of PVC tubes for them... *holding breath* LOL! ( Love you, Jed

Thanks for the auction info Alex

Do you have to be at a certain level to include the 4WC in the auctions?

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