So, Besides Cucumbers, Do You Add Pickle To Your Glass?

Pickle is such an interesting concept when it comes to glass rods. When I used to think in a single dimension about glass, I used to think that a pickle is the result of what happens when you add vinegar and spices to a cleaned vegetable, usually a cucumber, allowed the mixture to process and ferment, then, after a time, a sealed jar was opened, and the result was a pickle.

Then I began to grow a bit. I learned that the term "Pickle" could also be applied to a mixture into which you placed your metal work to clean it. This pickle was always warm, and it took off fire scale.

Then, I began to grow again. I read a thread on Lampworketc in which the question was asked, "Has anyone tried pickling clear glass?" You can check that out here.
Pickle, I thought, hmmmmmm? I posed that same question to other people who melted glass.
Some people responded that they always cleaned their glass, but no one had tried to add pickle to their glass.

As it turned out, I received an order of glass that day. Before the glass went downstairs, it went into the dishwasher. Now, I haven't tried to pickle my glass yet, but I do clean it with a spray bottle of alcohol. I think I will, eventually, but I haven't done that yet. I will let you know what happens.

So, what do you do? Do you pickle? What are your results? Is it worth the effort or not? I'm interested in hearing.

Beads From Shorts - Batch #2

Today was Day #2 of using my "shorts," and only my shorts to make beads. (This actually happened two days before you read this, so don't get confused on that! lol) Here's what I made today:
1) One set of flattened beads (5) center
2) One blue bird
3) One prototype of a head for a bobble head set for a wedding gift
4) Two mini beads for earrings
5) 4 cupcakes (I think I finally learned to make cupcakes!)
6) 4 butterflies for Beads of Courage

And the truth be told, it doesn't look like I made a dent in my box of shorts! Yikes!

This might go on longer than 2 weeks. What do you think?

My Shorts

When I start talking about my shorts, I am not talking about making a fashion statement with my clothing. The shorts I am talking about, in this case, are the ends of the glass rods that I use when I make my lampwork beads. Depending on the rod and the company, rods differ in length and width. Most glass rods are about 12" in length. The width can vary from 3mm to 8mm. As you melt the glass and less is left on the rod, you get to a point where the rod becomes too short to use without burning your fingers. There are tools to help you melt the rod down farther, and I do own one. Some people fuse the left over portions of the rods together to make a longer rod. It doesn't matter what you do, though, you are always left with shorts. I hate to throw those beautiful pieces of glass away, so I have tried to figure out how to use the leftovers resourcefully.


The first photo is a picture of my smaller nubs of glass. The smaller pieces go into making frit (ground glass). The longer nubs I use to make "Leftover Beads." I'll show you some of those in a bit. I also use them to make purple hearts and multicolored butterflies for Beads of Courage. I love the look of many colors in butterfly wings. My longer shorts go into making beads and discs.









Beads of Courage gets my butterflies.



















I made these discs using my shorts. I love them because they are fun and funky looking!



















I made this bead using my shorts directly on my mandrel.










I even make frit using my shorts, but that's another story. I'll show you how I make frit tomorrow. I've tried a lot of different ways to make frit, and you'll see that tomorrow.