vince pitelka on tue 28 aug 01
> As an experiment, I'm thinking of making some ceramic beads to use in
> my jewelry (a hobby). What I'm wondering is: how to fire them? Since
> the glaze would cover the entire bead, that is. Also, has anyone ever
> made raku beads? Everything I've ever fired has had an unglazed
> bottom, so I'm a bit stumped. I see ceramic beads in every bead store
> lately though, so I know there's a simple answer.
Most people firing conventional glazed beads fire them on bead trees, which
have refractory verticals with high-temperature wire horizontals on which
you string the beads. But in my experience they are not much good at
high-fire temperatures unless you are firing very small beads with large
holes, and they are a little clunky. Many bead-makers simply leave the bead
unglazed on one end or both ends, so that the bead can be placed in the
kiln.
One option you should consider is to simply make beads in colored porcelain,
high fire them, and then tumble them in a rock polisher with the appropriate
polishing grit to achieve the degree of polish you want, right up to a
glassy finish if you wish.
Good luck -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
Elizabeth Judd on tue 28 aug 01
As an experiment, I'm thinking of making some ceramic beads to use in
my jewelry (a hobby). What I'm wondering is: how to fire them? Since
the glaze would cover the entire bead, that is. Also, has anyone ever
made raku beads? Everything I've ever fired has had an unglazed
bottom, so I'm a bit stumped. I see ceramic beads in every bead store
lately though, so I know there's a simple answer. Hope I'm not
sounding too dumb--:)
Thanks!
Elizabeth
"All human beings are dream beings. Dreaming ties all
mankind together."--Jack Kerouac
http://www.care2.com - Get your Free e-mail account that helps save Wildlife!
Nevin Murtha on tue 28 aug 01
Axner has a bead tree usable for firing up to 2250F. I also have seen a =
photo of a nichrome wire bead rack. I have never done beads so others =
could better recommend what works best. =20
Nevin Murtha
n.murtha@worldnet.att.net
Lori Leary on tue 28 aug 01
Elizabeth,
When firing raku beads, I make bead trees by using brad
nails inserted into soft brick. The nails do fine in raku temps and
you can make the bead trees to whatever size suits. I have a small raku
kiln I made using fiber and a 5 gallon metal bucket (mel's idea, by the
way). I am able to fire tons of beads very quickly and
efficiently. I use oven tongs to take the whole bead tree out and place in
the post-firing reduction chamber. Also, you can fire matte
glazed beads in a bisque bowl or plate.
Hope this helps,
Lori L.
laleary@earthlink.net
Mountaintop. PA
----- Original Message -----
From: Elizabeth Judd
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Sent: 8/28/2001 8:28:27 AM
Subject: ceramic beads
As an experiment, I'm thinking of making some ceramic beads to use in
my jewelry (a hobby). What I'm wondering is: how to fire them? Since
the glaze would cover the entire bead, that is. Also, has anyone ever
made raku beads? Everything I've ever fired has had an unglazed
bottom, so I'm a bit stumped. I see ceramic beads in every bead store
lately though, so I know there's a simple answer. Hope I'm not
sounding too dumb--:)
Thanks!
Elizabeth
Alisa og Claus Clausen on wed 29 aug 01
Dear Elizabeth,
Most suppliers have bead trees, which are kiln furniture shaped like
triangles for each end, with
high temperature wire in between. Like small clothes lines. You string the
beads through
the wires and set them on the ends.
Otherwise, cheaper and just as good, make bead trees. Just shape your
usual clay
into two pillars that will stand solidly. Poke holes through them at even
intervals and
get the high temperature wire from your supplier. Bisque the bead trees.
Cut it the lengths you need. and
put them in the holes of your trees.
Be sure that the bead holes are entirely free of glaze or they will stick
to the wire.
To raku beads, nothing special is necessary. Just put them on a piece of a
shelf in the kiln
that is standing up on kiln stilts. When they are fired, you can get hold
on to the entire shelf with a
tong, lifting it level and quickly, and dump the beads into your reduction
can. They will have some marks
one them, but that never was a minus for me personally.
Best regards,
Alisa in Denmark
Steve Mills on wed 29 aug 01
Elizabeth,
Favourite tool for firing beads: Clay cone, 6 to 8 inches high, pinched
at the top with a hole in it so that it can be lifted with a hook when
red hot (Raku), 2 inch pieces of Nichrome wire (nickel/chromium) stuck
into it all over like a Xmas tree or Pin Cushion, bisc fire, then glazed
beads threaded onto wire spikes, whole thing put in kiln. If you want to
post fire reduce; plonk the whole thing into the sawdust or W.H.Y. You
don't wind up sifting through it all to find the x*!!x///! beads.
Steve
Bath
UK
In message , Elizabeth Judd writes
>As an experiment, I'm thinking of making some ceramic beads to use in
>my jewelry (a hobby). What I'm wondering is: how to fire them? Since
>the glaze would cover the entire bead, that is. Also, has anyone ever
>made raku beads? Everything I've ever fired has had an unglazed
>bottom, so I'm a bit stumped. I see ceramic beads in every bead store
>lately though, so I know there's a simple answer. Hope I'm not
>sounding too dumb--:)
>Thanks!
>Elizabeth
>
>
>"All human beings are dream beings. Dreaming ties all
>mankind together."--Jack Kerouac
>http://www.care2.com - Get your Free e-mail account that helps save Wildl=
>ife!
--
Steve Mills
Bath
UK
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