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-   -   FREE TUTORIAL - Fire Opals (http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169464)

*Naos* 2010-07-21 7:28pm

FREE TUTORIAL - Fire Opals
 
HotHead Friendly!

This one will come without photos because I want you to play with your glass! ;)

You need:

1 rod of Black
1 sheet of silver foil (I cut mine into strips about 10mm wide, 1 strip per bead)
1 rod of DoubleHelix Ekho
1 rod of Clear (your choice) - I use Lauscha Soft Clear


1) Make a base bead of Black.

2) Wrap the bead in silver foil. Burn off the foil at the edges of the base bead but leave it intact as much as possible on the rest of the bead.

3) Use Double Helix Ekho and wrap it around the base bead in a random pattern twice. Leave some silver showing! The trick with the Ekho is to let the tip of the glass go completely clear before you make your swipe. This creates the intense fire color you need over your silver. So let the tip go clear, then swipe the right side. Let the tip go clear, then swipe the left side.

4) Keep the edges of the bead warm (at the mandrel) while melting your choice of Clear glass then encase the entire bead with your favorite method.

5) From here shape as desired.

Voila! You now have a Fire Opal! :waving:

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL248.../392371796.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL248.../392371794.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL248.../392371791.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL248.../392371783.jpg

Leslie Dana 2010-07-21 7:34pm

Amber those are beautiful !! Thanks for sharing the tut :)

Gillianbeads 2010-07-21 7:36pm

Amber, that is such an awesome thing to do....great tutorial and so very generous of you to share your beautiful technique!

Thanks so much...

Nicker 2010-07-21 7:36pm

Amber you are the best! Can I ask what your Ekho looks like? Mine is a streaky brown translucent rod, I'm wondering if mine's marker wrong. I love those beads I'll try them once the weather cools.

Teri.p 2010-07-21 7:36pm

Amber, you rock! I'm going to go light up my torch and make some fire opals right now!!

Teri P \\:D/

*Naos* 2010-07-21 7:38pm

My Ekho can be different colors. I've had dark Brown rods and light Khaki rods. They are opaque on the outside and have sort of rootbeer transparent center though. All of the rods create the same look for me.

Carols Glass 2010-07-21 7:38pm

Wow, I love these beads, thank you so much! I can't wait to see if I can make some :-).

How very very generous of you to do this for free!

beadmama 2010-07-21 7:43pm

Thanks Amber for the sharing your tutorial!

I love your fire opal beads!

rosebud101 2010-07-21 7:45pm

Wow! What a great tut. Thanks for sharing!

Mitosis Glass 2010-07-21 7:50pm

Thank you so much Amber! I can't wait to try this!

midniteburner 2010-07-21 7:52pm

Thanks for the wonderful tip of swiping the bead when the Ekho is clear. That was my major problem.

Sara

wimsey 2010-07-21 7:54pm

Very kind of you! I'm going to try it!
Beth

*Naos* 2010-07-21 7:55pm

Sara , you'll find you get much better color from the Ekho in all applications if you let it go clear before applying. :)

barbbbeads 2010-07-21 7:55pm

Very pretty and generous of you to share your technique. Too bad I don't have any Ekho. At least I don't think I do. I may have a sample rod around to try out.

StOrM 2010-07-21 7:57pm

Thank you for sharing!

clan tabby 2010-07-21 8:00pm

Oh, cool beads, nice tutorial! Thank you, Amber! I don't have Ekho; wonder what would happen with Clio? Pink opals?

Wumpmonk 2010-07-21 8:01pm

Thanks, Amber. That's very sweet of you.

*Naos* 2010-07-21 8:02pm

It does work with Clio, too! ;)

clan tabby 2010-07-21 8:09pm

A-ha! Clio it will be! (I've yet to melt a rod of the little stash I bought, so this could be it's maiden voyage.)

LampworkbyLori 2010-07-21 8:11pm

Thank you, Amber!

*Naos* 2010-07-21 8:12pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by clan tabby (Post 3129821)
A-ha! Clio it will be! (I've yet to melt a rod of the little stash I bought, so this could be it's maiden voyage.)

Clio can be a little tricky since it can go opaque fast but I found it to be the same principle. Get the tip to go clear then swipe lightly. Keep it out of the flame before you encase.

theglasszone 2010-07-21 8:15pm

:kiss: You're WONDERFUL!!! I've admired these beads of yours for quite some time! They're gorgeous...and interestingly, my birthstone (Oct.) is Opal. I've never really embraced it because it is so terribly fragile over time, so I'm thinking I HAVE TO TRY THIS and see how I do.

I really appreciate it!

:)

clan tabby 2010-07-21 8:17pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Naos* (Post 3129828)
Clio can be a little tricky since it can go opaque fast but I found it to be the same principle. Get the tip to go clear then swipe lightly. Keep it out of the flame before you encase.

Ah, yes, and stick your tongue out at the right angle, squint your eyes just right, & only breathe shallowly through one nostril. Ok, gotcha.

*Naos* 2010-07-21 8:19pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by clan tabby (Post 3129843)
Ah, yes, and stick your tongue out at the right angle, squint your eyes just right, & only breathe shallowly through one nostril. Ok, gotcha.

OMG< I've been doing it all wrong. 8-[ I stick the mandrel in my left ear (not the hot bead side of course), I twirl around in a circle once, and then hop on one leg three times.

Dawn >^..^< 2010-07-21 8:21pm

Thanks so much for sharing this, Amber!
I can't wait to give it a try.

LisaF 2010-07-21 8:23pm

Thank you, Amber!!

Jane P 2010-07-21 8:24pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by theglasszone (Post 3129838)
:kiss: You're WONDERFUL!!! I've admired these beads of yours for quite some time! They're gorgeous...and interestingly, my birthstone (Oct.) is Opal. I've never really embraced it because it is so terribly fragile over time, so I'm thinking I HAVE TO TRY THIS and see how I do.

I really appreciate it!

:)

Me too!
Thanks so much for this Amber!

jewlie beads 2010-07-21 8:26pm

Oh Amber! Thank you so much!

GlassGalore 2010-07-21 8:27pm

Aw, Amber... you rock! :love:

clan tabby 2010-07-21 8:28pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Naos* (Post 3129844)
OMG< I've been doing it all wrong. 8-[ I stick the mandrel in my left ear (not the hot bead side of course), I twirl around in a circle once, and then hop on one leg three times.

:lol::lol: If it doesn't work my way, then I'll try yours!


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