Today, it’s all about Double Helix glass and how I strike it!

 

This video shows the way I strike Double Helix glass…specifically Terra Nova 2…

About the Double Helix glass demo!

Duplicating an exact color or look is hard to achieve because you have to perfectly repeat how you do it. If you do lots of beads, the way you do it will become a habit and much easier to control the outcome.

 

I find Silver glass is similar to borosilicate, in that there is a certain degree of surprise in the final color that comes out of the kiln.

 

Here are some things you need to become aware of and control to reproduce the colors you want in silver glass:

Variations in silver glass color results are affected by such conditions as…

  • What color you use as your base bead
  • The degree of time your strike the Double Helix glass
  • How hot you strike the glass (where you hold it in the flame)
  • How many times you strike the glass
  • How thick you apply the silver glass to the bead
  • If you encase the Silver glass
  • How long you work the Silver glass
  • How large the bead is

 

I wanted to make sure you saw the true colors, so I’ve added pictures below.

glass lampwork bead silver glass

Different views.
Left is demo bead.

 

glass lampwork beads

Center bead is where I heated the silver glass once.
Right bead is mixing Terra Nova 2 and dense black.

 

glass lampwork beads

Center bead…this is where I spot heated the bead a couple of times.
Left bead was demo bead.

 

 

 

 

EXTRA BONUS TIPS WITH DOUBLE HELIX GLASS

TIP***I didn’t get into talking about mixing silver glasses in my video but I tend to mix the striking glasses as well.***

 

I like applying them as I would use paint, mixing and blending colors. The only thing is it is frustrating not being able to see the finished result or true colors until after you have annealed the beads.

 

TIP***Another thing I wanted to talk to you was how I use mashers or metal pliers with the Double Helix glass.***

 

I like bringing the glass to a molten stage and then pressing it with a metal tool. This produces an instant cooling, which creates intense colors with the silver glass.

 

TIP… I think silver glass striking techniques are very similar to the Raku orange techniques. They both react to intense heat and I tend to work them the same.

 

 

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How I video my demos…

I’ve been asked how I video my demos. I used the “YouTube Capture App” to video this demo. It saved me about 3 hours not having to upload it iMovie on my computer!   It’s really easy and you can video and upload to YouTube anywhere…you just need your iPhone or similar type of phone!*********

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Any questions about Double Helix glass and striking silver glass?? Ask away!

 

Patsy  :)

 

Wanted to show you what I do with silver glass

glass lampwork bead tropical fish

“Tropic Native” Click on fish for closer look!

 

 glass lampwork bead fish

 

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