Hi,
This may be a silly question but would flame annealing be enough on small beads to be able to add them to Jewellery that I make? I made my first beads into a charm bracelet and have been asked to make one for someone else but I don't have a kiln so wondered if I could just flame anneal them? I know it is nowhere near as good as kiln annealing but just thought that as the beads will be small would it be enough?
Any help/advice welcome
Thanks
Niki x
No, sorry.
Glass is either annealed, or not annealed.
It is possible to flame anneal acceptably, but takes a lot of experience, and is often un-confirmable (if that's a word...)
There are lots of lovely people on here who will happily offer you kiln space, until you get your own.
We do annealing for £10 per 100 beads, plus postage, but many people will do it for free.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news....
Sean
There is a thread on here Niki giving names of people. I'm not sure I am on it, but I would do them too. You just need to send them off with the return postage in stamps :). Where are you based in case there is somebody nearby?
Sean missed a chance to add this link which I've shamelessly pinched from his FB page
http://gizmodo.com/5992072/these-exploding-droplets-of-glass-are-a-bewildering-quirk-of-physics (http://gizmodo.com/5992072/these-exploding-droplets-of-glass-are-a-bewildering-quirk-of-physics)
It's extreme, but gives an idea why we should be annealing anything we expect people to wear.
Quote from: ARBeads on March 29, 2013, 04:04:20 PM
Sean missed a chance to add this link which I've shamelessly pinched from his FB page
http://gizmodo.com/5992072/these-exploding-droplets-of-glass-are-a-bewildering-quirk-of-physics (http://gizmodo.com/5992072/these-exploding-droplets-of-glass-are-a-bewildering-quirk-of-physics)
It's extreme, but gives an idea why we should be annealing anything we expect people to wear.
I am so pinching this ;D
Just don't pinch the glass ;D ;D
Oh gawd - the number of times I've called the wretched things Prince Alberts, too! 8)
Bit extreme, the old Prince Ruperts - as you haven't got the tail on beads - and it's the tail which causes the stress buildup.
I think we worked out that you had to flame anneal for about 30minutes - gradually turning the flame down to nil, to do the job properly. As others have said - it's probably best to anneal in a kiln. Life's too short.... :(
What about Indian and Chinese beads, I don't think they are annealed, they are carp and fall apart pretty easily but you could maybe add a disclaimer somewhere explaining the situation.
Of course, thats not the best start to your bead making career having to tell people that their beads might blow up!
Finally managed to watch it all the way through - it kept going back to the beginning >:(. Does it do that for anyone else, or is it just me? Probably just me - there's always one, and I'm usually the one! ::)
Nick
Thanks all for the replies, will definitely be getting them kiln annealed then as want to do things properly.
June - thanks I will try to find the thread - I live in Leicestershire - Market Harborough/Corby side.
And as for that video - wow, amazing!!
You should have no problems finding someone your way to anneal them, there's quiet a few lampworkers over that direction. Here's the link to the forum thread http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1939.0 (http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1939.0)
Thank you ARBeads x
If you get stuck, Niki, pm me. I will be at Flame Off, so by all means bring them with you if you want me to anneal them for you :)
That is so kind of you June, thank you so much x x x
Quote from: ♥♥Tan♥♥ on March 29, 2013, 07:03:33 PM
What about Indian and Chinese beads, I don't think they are annealed, they are carp and fall apart pretty easily but you could maybe add a disclaimer somewhere explaining the situation.
Always thought there was something fishy about those beads....... ;)
Di East lives in Enderby - she is a lovely person and probably would be happy to anneal. She also does great evening classes too which are really good for someone starting out (and for more intermediates too!) ;D
Quote from: Redhotsal on March 30, 2013, 11:19:19 AM
Di East lives in Enderby - she is a lovely person and probably would be happy to anneal. She also does great evening classes too which are really good for someone starting out (and for more intermediates too!) ;D
Very true, Sal :)
I have done a few classes with Di, will have to ask her about annealing - Thanks Sal x