Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Frit-aytious Beads or it's better with Ocelot Spots

So Lynn asked yesterday if I was sure that she couldn't use frit for glass fusing. Frit is used in fusing all the time so yes, Lynn you can use it to fuse. Usually, frit is applied on larger pieces so if you want to swirl it like I did yesterday, you have to have a piece large enough to swirl when the glass is molten in your kiln. In fact, here's a picture of me doing just that with a large wall piece - I'm "dragging" the glass with a metal tool:


By the way, that was one AWEsome class I took with Dan Fenton one of the early artists in the stained glass/fused glass movement. I've used a couple of frits on fused cabs and I'll make recommendations at the end of post. You'll see why in a moment.

So, today I took out the tried and true frit mix Ocelot Spots



Ocelot Spots is a failsafe mix - it performs well for most beadmakers. I've used a base of transparent blue to highlight the occasional blues you can get from Ocelot Spots. Swirled it looks great and not swirled it looks great too!

If you're going to try fusing with frit, I'd suggest a frit that looks good unswirled. Ocelot Spots is a good choice - it'll give an animal print like look when unswirled. You may not get any of the blues that happen as a result of the flame but the ambers, browns and black will look lovely. I think the Wild Roses mix I used yesterday would look nice unswirled also.

If you've gone to the torch or the kiln because Val's book has inspired you, please share and let me know what you Fritsonality is!

8 comments:

LLYYNN - Lynn Davis said...

That almost looks like a marble, it is a bead (peering at the sides, looking for a hole) right? Lovely! You are the frit temptress!

Deb said...

Ohh Cindy - I love Ocelot spots & it's the one frit mix that I do have! I've never tried it swirled - so I'm going to have to try that.

I'm never quite sure what to do with frits (or rather how they will work) - but I've had my eye on Val's book since the minute you reviewed it - lol!

rosebud101 said...

I love ocelot spots! It does look good with so many things.

one-eared pig said...

oooo, that ocelot is Yummo!

Cindy Gimbrone said...

Hi Lynn,

Yup that's a bead! Glad you like the bead - I'm working the frit best I can! :-)

Cindy

Cindy Gimbrone said...

Hi Deb,

Ocelot Spots is a such a great mix - you know that ambers, browns and black tend to be unfussy in glass so this magic mix is well behaved and lovely!

I know what you mean about what to do with the frit - I'm still not convinced I can make it sing like Val but I'm still gonna try! I think the book is worth it even if you don't end up being a Zen-Frit master - Val's photos are such an inspiration!

Cindy

Cindy Gimbrone said...

Hi Mallory,

Wha-HOO for Ocelot Spots! I agree, it does look good on so many things!

Cindy

Cindy Gimbrone said...

Hi One-Eared!

So you and I can slurp Ocelot Spots together, huh? Smile! Thanks for the comment!

Cindy