New to Boro.

[Flaming Glass]

Hello All. I'm just about to try boro and I have been getting a few books on different colors, and the trend that I am seeing is that most colors anneal at a certain temp for 30 min. I do understand that it is so that the colors don't get ruined in the kiln. My question is do you make the beads and cool them in a fibre blanket or vermiculite and then batch anneal? Which is better blanket or vermiculite? I've worked with soft glass for a long time and have never liked batch annealing. Appreciate any advice. Cheers Tara.

[Cosmo]

You can cool them and then batch anneal them, but I get better colors putting them directly into the kiln from the flame.

[pipyr]

Especially if you are using reds and working for long periods of time, garage your beads at 975 or so, then at the end of the session, bring up the temp to anneal or strike your beads. at 975, there won't be any color development to worry about while you work a long day on the torch, but it is above the strain temp so you won't lose the beads you are sticking in there

[Flaming Glass]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the input!