How do you get the frosty look?
 

I just saw a set of beads (gorgeous!) that are etched and look "frosted". When I make a bead with say a blue glass base and encase it in clear, then etch, I get a blue etched bead ... not the kind of ethereal look some people are getting. Are they using Cirrus? Or what's the trick? Any help would be greatly appreciated. (I would ask the person with the beautiful beads, but I'm always hesitant they'll get mad at me! I'm a chicken!!)

Another option could be a small white base bead to reflect the light, then encase with a colored transparent and then clear. Finally etch it.

Darrell

I think I know which you are asking about, it's a white base and pale blue transparent

These Angie?

Yes, very similar but I've seen them in other colors as well. Wish I could post the photo I saw today but the bead maker wouldn't be too happy, I don't think.

I haven't tried this but will definitely do so tomorrow. Thanks so much!

I might try a white base encased with a pale to medium transparent, then etched.

Now that I've tried but I just get a light shade of the white ... no "glow"

Perhaps a smaller base bead of white and a thicker encasement of colored transparent?

OK...I can try that. Thanks!

They might also be using frit over a white base and then etching. I do this frequently for my etched nuggets which I think makes a really nice glow.

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If you experiment, put some pics here and let us see.

Could they be etched dichroic glass beads?

I don't think so cuz they are a pale blue with what looks like it has a white or maybe even clear small center. I'm going to try that ... have to find a good blue or green that's light and etches well.

If you use a white base, then encase in a transparent colour, then lots of clear, the beads will "glow" a little.

If you use a silver glass instead of a transparent colour and encase in a thick layer of clear the beads will glow even more.

Oh ... yes!!! And yours are some of the beads I've been drooling over!! Any particular clear you use?? (And thank you so much for sharing!!!)

Kristin what kind of frit did you use on these gorgeous beads?

Magma thank you for your suggestions on this topic, your beads are always the boss!! Going to play with those ideas at my next torch session

Hi Becky, some from a huge assortment of glass diversion frits I have here. It's pretty random. I love their frit! There is some ivory frit on the surface of some, which is nice too.

Thank you Angie, Moretti clear is just fine :)

Thank you as well Becky :)

I just love these little nuggets ... each one has so much character!!

YES!!! How are these made???

Angie the ones on the leash are white core, pale transparent encasement and etched

That's what I thought/said.

Very pretty.

Make your white base as thin as you can and encase it with your transparent out to your desired size. The thicker the transparent, the more depth is has, especially after etching.

Now that I did not know ... thank you for sharing. I'll make the inner bead smaller and see if I can get the look.