I'm having an issue with NOT being able to crack beads! I've recently begun cracking beads to make cabs. Just grabbed the Hothead and started quickly churning them out. At first, all went well. Got several cracked beads by simply letting them cool in the air. But after that first day, it stopped working! I've begun going to extremes to try to get them to crack. Blowing on them, dipping them in water (after an initial 3-4 min. cool-down), pelting them into the sink with all my might, freezing them and dipping in hot water, baking in the oven and dipping in ice water... at 200º nothing happened, but at 350º they simply crackled all over, but didn't break. I'm getting frustrated, because oddly enough, I'm also getting some of the best colors out of my silver glasses that I've ever gotten, and now they've all endured such abuse, I fear using them for jewelry, even if I batch anneal at this point. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.
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Annie
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