Alabaster & Opalino Rods
 

I bought several 1/4 lbs. of both alabaster and opalino rods a few years ago. I had a terrible time with them, it seemed no matter how gentle I worked with them, I either burnt the crap out of the beads and they bubbled and scummed or they were super shocky. Does anyone use either type of glass, and for what applications? Beads? Surface decoration? I'm afraid to use them again, burning, flying glass shards is not my thing.

I use them both for base beads. I like the rustic look of them compared to the more consistent CIM opalino-type colors (peacock, marshmallow and the like).
Slow and cool is the way to work them.

I have no problem with the opalinos, but I always had trouble with bubbling and pitting with alabastros.

Opalinos make lovely translucent beads-the look is great.

I love using the Alabastros and Opalinos with the Dona bellflower press. The translucence is so pretty. I don't have a problem with them burning out or bubbling. The carnelian is one of my all time favorite colors.

I will second the vote for carnelian being beautiful.

I'll third the carnelian! Its color reminds me of pink grapefruit, and is lovely to work with.
Cheryl

Dark Turquoise Alabastro is really pretty on top of Coral. Dots of it separate into three separate rings of colour.

I have a picture somewhere -- I will try to dig it up tomorrow.

Darn it, I can't find the picture. But trust me, it's cool.

Is that the only bellflower press made or just the best one?
Also doesn't Rocio do some amazing things using silver glass over
alabastros and opalinos?
I think maybe she even has a tut on that, no?

I hate to hear them grouped together because they have such different characteristics. I love the opalinos but I won't touch the alabasters. Even in Rocio's pretty beads, if you look closely, you can see the bubble scum on the alabasters. The opalinos melt nicely and the colors are soft and pretty.

Exactly! This needs repeating.

Try working further out in the flame. You will get more complete combustion and less carbon (scum/soot).

And nobody has posted a picture?!?

This is Carnelian with pixie dust.

Oh wow, that is yummy!

Question: Is Carnelian the Effetre 536 opalino?

Here's green opalino-I really love this color!

Oooo, pretty! I can see I need to unwrap the opalino colors I bought!

I just happened to have those rods so i tried it out last night, here it is.

Wow, that is cool!

Can opalino and alabastro be used together in the same bead?
Can they be encased?

So glad I read this post. The dark pink alabaster bubbled no matter how I tried. I will try to move it out further.

I love the blue for making ocean beads, I want the bubbles!