orion on tue 2 feb 99
A local lady bought some clay a few months ago -- 'said she wanted to try
her hand at sculpture. Now she's come back with a trayful of painstakingly
crafted beads that she'd like to bisque, then glaze and glaze fire.
Bisquing a beads "worries me not".... but
How do folks suspend/isolate beads for glaze firing? Are there special
racks? Wire suspension systems? GADS! Any and all advice welcome,
on-list or directly!
Many thanks in advance,
Ellen Baker -- Glacier, WA
orion@telcomplus.net
Vicki Katz on tue 2 feb 99
You will probably want a bead rack for the glaze load. They are about $15.00.
The beads are threaded through a wire which is suspended from a stand on
either side. Most ceramic suppliers sell them. It works quite well.
Vicki Katz
Kelley Webb Randel on wed 3 feb 99
Hi!
I also have a bead question? What's the best way to raku beads? I've always
laid them on bisque plates and inevitably get marred beads, which doesn't
bother me over much. Is there a better way?
Thanks!
Kelley Webb Randel
Rakugddss@aol.com
NCECA virgin! First time, ever!
Wendy Hampton on wed 3 feb 99
When I did beads I used a mirror with wood sides added to it creating a tray.
I put a small amount of glaze on the mirror - enough to cover the bottom then
rolled the beads in the glaze. This worked really well because the glaze did
not seem to get in the holes. I fired the beads in a raku kiln. Put all the
beads in a small bisqued tray (with sides), fire, then when you put them in
the can, do it quickly then kick, turn, etc the can so the beads will separate
while reducing.
If you have any questions please let me know
Wendy
Judy Frederick on thu 4 feb 99
Baltimore Clayworks has racks in their furniture section. All they amount to
is two supports and high temperature wire rods that you slide the beads onto
during the firing. I don't know how much they cost but you could probably
make some yourself. Their phone number is (410) 542-1909 and fax is (410)
578-0058. I don't know if they have a web site or not. Good luck. Judy
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