Beach Marbles + a bead

[richsantaclaus]

Here is my latest attempt at a themed pair of marbles + one bead.

I am trying to have less bubbles in the glass but it seems to be difficult for me for some silly reason - help!

Well here goes - pictures in 3 posts...

[richsantaclaus]

the second marble try....

[richsantaclaus]

Here is the bead using the same copper punched pieces as the marbles...

[SteppingRazor]

they look really nice. i like that technique alot.
~joe

[N!pples]

Lookin good... if you keep getting airbubbles try to turn your flame down a bit and work it further back in the flame. If its around your copper pieces, try to push em on at an angle one end to the other, instead of flat on... You also might want to buy and try a stump sucker.

Keep em comin!

[Greymatter Glass]

That copper stamp tech is nice, I hope you develope it as far as you can.

The bubbles could be from the copper off-gassing a big as it heats up if it's on/near the copper.

Also, laying in fill glass too cool can cause bubbles, make sure everything is hot enough to properly fuse without trapping little veins of air. As you form the marble those little veins ball up into bubbles.

Some colors can be troublesome as well.... all in all tho, I would say you're looking pretty good. Small surface bubbles can be chased out by spot heating once the marble is formed as well. You'll have to clean it up a bit, but they'll pop to the surface with enough heat in the right spot.

Pre-clean your rods before working with them also, as I have found that various contaminates from the factory to the shop can interfere and cause bubbles....otherwise... just keep it up!

-Doug

[richsantaclaus]

Tell me more about a "stump sucker" - where to get one and how they work - thanks

[alacrity024]

i'm really loving the punched copper technique. i'll have to give it a shot. looks like you're having some problems with the glass seeding up over it sometimes though.. and other times it's very very clean.. i wonder what gives..

keep it up!

[richsantaclaus]

I tried heating the copper punch out prior to enacsement on a hotplate but it still didn't stop those pesky bubbles? Maybe it is the nature of the copper to bleed air in tiny bubbles? I certainly am NO expert! I just like to try stuff - heck, it's only glass...lol!!!

[alacrity024]

the copper may "outgas" but i really have no clue as to how that works. also if the surface of the copper is rough, it'll be prime real estate for air bubbles.. that's all i can think of off the top of my head?

[richsantaclaus]

Well, I totally appreciate your assistance! Here is another one I made last night and just out of the kiln. I also used dark plum raku and a piece of millifore inside the implosion. I need to get a life!...lol