Want to try boro... suggestions?

Cole · #1 02-10-2004, 10:48 PM

Hi all... I want to just dip my little toe into boro (not dive in all the way like I usually do), and was wondering if you could suggest some pretty colors to buy (please include brand)? I think I just want to get one rod each of maybe 10-15 different colors, plus clear.

Photos/links with your color suggestion would be great, too, if possible!
My favorite bead colors are aquas, blues, red, ambers, and pinks.

Thanks in advance!

Cole · #2 02-10-2004, 10:49 PM

Ooopss... wrong category. Would a guide/moderator be so kind as to move this thread to the correct location? Thanks!

jeremy bizzano · #3 02-11-2004, 12:57 AM

Hey Cole,
You can check out Glass Alchemy's and Northstar's websites to see sample pics of their colors. You can order individual ounces of color from www.generationsglass.com. By your color preferences, I can recommend a few...

Glass Alchemy
aqua azul
ruby
brilliant blue
peacock
blush
cherrywood

Northstar
amber purple
blue moon

I'm sure there's a lot more I'm forgetting. Check out the websites

Cole · #4 02-11-2004, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy bizzano

Hey Cole,
You can check out Glass Alchemy's and Northstar's websites to see sample pics of their colors. You can order individual ounces of color from www.generationsglass.com. By your color preferences, I can recommend a few...

Glass Alchemy
aqua azul
ruby
brilliant blue
peacock
blush
cherrywood

Northstar
amber purple
blue moon

I'm sure there's a lot more I'm forgetting. Check out the websites

Thanks, neighbor!!

Jo-Del · #5 02-11-2004, 01:26 AM

my favortie is NS blue exotic!! If you like aqua, this is a great color to play with also!! Monique

Cole · #6 02-11-2004, 01:33 AM

Are the colors naturally "swirly", or would I need to twist, rake, or something else to get those striations of color? I like those exotic colors as well. I also like the amber/purple and the combos.... so cool!

AlexM · #7 02-11-2004, 09:52 AM

Cole, here are some of my favorite boro colors:

Glass Alchemy
Amazon Lagoon
Amazon Bronze
Silver Strike 5
Ruby Strike 4
Cherrywood
Puple Luster
Jasper
Warm Yellow

Northstar
Amber Purple
Caramel
Blue Caramel
Ruby
Star White
Blue Amber Purple
Blue Exotic
Mystery Aventurine
Multi

Most of the colors I mentioned will do the striations themselves.

Don't forget to buy lots of clear.

beaderpaine · #8 02-11-2004, 11:56 AM

I haven't "done boro" yet, though I am itching to. If I remember correctly, Arrow Springs, offers sample packs of the boro brands they sell (Glass Alchemy, Northstar, etc.)

Hope that helps!

BTW, how long would it take me to make a small boro bead on a HH?

AlexM · #9 02-11-2004, 12:14 PM

While it's possible to do a very small bead on the HH, I would not recommend it. It took me nearly an hour to do a very small one, and the colors are crappy because the torch is not hot enough. Get a minor or bobcat to do boro at the very least.

dread · #10 02-11-2004, 12:29 PM

So it is possible to do boro on a minor with two (count em) oxy concentrators?

AlexM · #11 02-11-2004, 12:34 PM

YUP! It's not as fast as a really big torch, but it is possible with a minor with 2 oxycons.

glassfur · #12 02-11-2004, 12:45 PM

The annual Glass Alchemy sale of seconds and occasionals starts next week. This is a great source of boro color to learn or practice on. The seconds may not have consitent color and may have spots of contaminants in them. I don't mix my firsts and seconds. (firsts are too expensive) Practice with seconds, produce final product with firsts. Color boro as low as 8$ lb will get you a lot of practice time.

http://www.glassalchemyarts.com/sale2004.html

Also, check into euromax, chinex, etc. for practice clear rods and tubes as low as $1.76lb available at many suppliers, for instance...

http://www.globaltradingglass.com/

I recommend these only for learning as the quality may not be as consistent as Simax clear or color firsts from NorthStar, GlassAlchemyArts, etc..

GlassFur

Cole · #13 02-12-2004, 05:09 PM

Thanks for the replies, all. Alex, do you think it would be possible (if not frustrating) to work boro on a GTT Bobcat with only one oxy con? Or is a 2nd pretty much needed for it?

Hmmm... maybe I should just stick to what I'm doing and leave boro alone for now. I'll probably be happier with soft glass after my class with a certain author in April... hehe!

AlexM · #14 02-12-2004, 05:17 PM

Cole,

My bobcat runs very cool for boro on the oxycon I would think, but I'll try it this weekend and post results. I am guessing that I will only be able to do small beads, not the big 1" honkers that I can easily do with the tanked oxy, but we'll see. I'll also time myself to see how long it takes.

AlexM · #15 02-14-2004, 11:53 AM

Cole,

I used my Bobcat and one oxycon to make a boro bead. It is small, about 9mm, but I did it. It really surprised me that I could do it. It took 7 minutes. I made it out of NS amber purple and encased it in clear. Keep in mind that amber purple is one of the easier colors to melt, there are many other colors that are much stiffer. The clear is the easiest of the boro glass to melt, so it is not the issue. I wouldn't do this all the time as it is slow, similar to encasing with Lauscha on the HH, but it's nice to know that it is possible.

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