Double Helix Iris 2 - A Spectrum of Colors!

I came across a sample rod of Double Helix Iris 2 at my last Sunday Session in the studio! 

The website had hinted that this glass is great specifically for exterior applications, Iris yields a strong oil slick effect and maintains its pearlescence under encasement. 

Click here for more notes on this glass!

I primarily user Double Helix reduction glasses for it's ability to create metallic shine or pearlescence under clear glass encasement. 

So I was naturally curious about what colors I would pull from this glass. 

This round focal glass started on a clear base with swirls of Double Helix Iris 2. 

Patterns of crosshatches were made with a fine blade. 

A layer of clear glass and a wrap of 99% fine siver wire were added and then capped again with more clear glass. 

The result is beautiful and would be a stunning focal piece of jewelry art.

#effetre

#iris2

#doublehelixglass

#silverglass

#nortel

#pendragonfyre 

#handmade

#handmadeincanada 

#lampworkglass 

#maker 

#lampworkbeads 

#glassbeads 

#lampwork 

#lampworker 

#beadmaker 

#softglass 

#handmadebeads 

#sodalime 

#craftsperson 

@nortel_glassgirl

The Colors of Double Helix Hydros - Copper, Silver and Reduced to Gold!

Just a quick post to show how the color in Double Helix Hydros can capture spring colors of green, aquamarine and sparkling gold. 

Hydros is a silver and copper glass creating an aquamarine color with a strong silver luster that maintains its pearlescence under encasement. 

I love the colors that remind me of spring greens and aquamarines.

The website recommends to work the glass in a neutral flame, allow to cool for a few seconds, reheat far out in a large reducing flame.

These two barrel beads captured the reduced glass beautifully under layers of clear. 

The surface was encrusted with microdots of Hydros glass that was then reduced to the glittery golden shine!

#effetre

#hydros

#doublehelixglass

#silverglass

#nortel

#pendragonfyre 

#handmade

#handmadeincanada 

#lampworkglass 

#maker 

#lampworkbeads 

#glassbeads 

#lampwork 

#lampworker 

#beadmaker 

#softglass 

#handmadebeads 

#sodalime 

#craftsperson 

@nortel_glassgirl

Double Helix Arke 2 - A Closer Look!

After the first test of Double Helix Arke 2, I decided to take a closer look at this surprising glass at a recent session at the torch. 

Arke 2 is a transparent cobalt luster color that develops a variety of exterior metallic finishes and holds it’s luster under a clear encasement. 

It’s the lightest of our three cobalt silver glasses; Arke 2, Triton and Iris. 

What got me thinking was Jed's note about variations in flame chemistry, exposure time and temperature alter the color of the exterior luster.

The first two barrel shaped beads were created on a base of Effetre Superclear with a surface encasement of swirls and scrolls of Double Helix Arke 2.

I allowed gravity to move the glass around and after reducing it in the flame, I encased it again in Superclear.

I was pleased with the patterns of blues and greens that resulted in the beads.

This set of 3 round beads would be lovely as focal points in a necklace.

These were also formed with layers of Arke 2 captured between layers of clear glass.

It is a great way to use up shorts of clear glass and economically use the beautiful silver glass!

#effetre

#arke2

#doublehelixglass

#silverglass

#nortel

#pendragonfyre 

#handmade

#handmadeincanada 

#lampworkglass 

#maker 

#lampworkbeads 

#glassbeads 

#lampwork 

#lampworker 

#beadmaker 

#softglass 

#handmadebeads 

#sodalime 

#craftsperson 

@nortel_glassgirl

Double Helix Arke 2 - How Did I Miss Not Ordering This Before?

I am so glad I included a half a pound of this Arke 2 glass in my last order! 

When I try a new glass, I usually order Jed's second quality as it is more economical. 

I see that it is now showing as out of stock, so I was lucky!

What are seconds? Double Helix second quality rods are less than perfect and are sold at a 25% discount. They may be too large, too small, too short, chipped, twisted or have an inclusion. They have passed our compatibility test and our color test, but not our pretty rod test.

Arke 2 is described as a transparent cobalt luster color that develops a variety of exterior metallic finishes and holds it’s luster under a clear encasement. It’s the lightest of our three cobalt silver glasses; Arke 2, Triton and Iris. 

The beads within this post highlight how I used Arke 2 in a few initial beads and I am very pleased with the results!

This focal bead has a clear base with a layer of Arke 2 stringer wrapped around and "knife cuts" before reducing the glass.

When it was encased with clear glass, it captured a beautiful patterning with blue green and ivory patterned mother of pearl reactions.

I had the matching facetted crystals in my jewel box and I think they match perfectly!

This next set of round beads used a similar technique as the bead above and again, Arke 2 did not disappoint!

The swirls and patterning is stunning in these beads and the gleam from the color patterns from each angle is incredible!

Last but certainly not least, here are a couple more test beads using the layering technique of Arke2, Effetre White and Clear. These need more investigation, but definitely have me thinking and ready to try at my next torch session.

#effetre

#italianglass

#silverglass

#nortel

#doublehelixglass

#pendragonfyre 

#handmade

#handmadeincanada 

#lampworkglass 

#maker 

#lampworkbeads 

#glassbeads 

#lampwork 

#lampworker 

#beadmaker 

#softglass 

#handmadebeads 

#sodalime 

#craftsperson 

@nortel_glassgirl

@dubhelix

A new glass to me Double Helix Hydros! This is a WINNER!

Double Helix describes Hydros as a silver and copper glass creating an aquamarine color with a strong silver luster that maintains its pearlescence under encasement. 

To luster, work in a neutral flame, allow to cool for a few seconds, reheat far out in a large reducing flame.

What attracted me was the aqua hue and the golden metallic shine.

As my initial test with this glass, I created simple spacers that when reduced they gleam with golden and blue green rainbow effects.

This set of 3 beads was created with layers of clear glass, DH Hydros and fine silver wire captured on an final clear glass encasement.

These rounds are simple and elegant with lovely shine and patterning.

Testing how the glass performed under encasement, this barrel bead started on a base of clear glass and an encasement layer of DH Hydros.

I quickly reduced the bead and added the layer of Effetre Super clear to capture the mother of pearl look. 

To complete the surface decoration, I pulled Hydros stringers and created the micro dots of beads creating an almost mythical/ancient look to the bead. I loved creating this style of beads years ago as when the glass reduces to gold shine, the final result is rich and unique.

#effetre

#italianglass

#silverglass

#nortel

#doublehelixglass

#pendragonfyre 

#handmade

#handmadeincanada 

#lampworkglass 

#maker 

#lampworkbeads 

#glassbeads 

#lampwork 

#lampworker 

#beadmaker 

#softglass 

#handmadebeads 

#sodalime 

#craftsperson 

@nortel_glassgirl

@dubhelix

Attempting to test Ultraviolet Glasses by Double Helix

The efforts to test this new ultraviolet glass that Jed from Double Helix created was not an easy task! 

My experience with this sort of glass is next to zero, but I was excited to take my first steps.

Of course, I had to order a blacklight to see the difference in the glass and my attempt at Amazon was less than useful.

This blog post will show the beads created as they were photographed in normal bright studio light. As comparison, I tried to capture the same beads under a small blacklight.

In this 3 bead set, I started on a base of clear glass and encased it with the Ultraviolet glass.

I tried reducing it before encasing it again and it seemed to capture the "mother of pearl" with a golden ivory patterning. 

My poor attempt at getting the orange color under blacklight is showing in this photo!

This single barrel bead started on a base of Effetre Teal transparent on which swirls of superheated UVX-963 was added and again reduced. I encased it with Effetre Super clear and allowed the patterning to gravity swirl.

Another poor attempt at getting the orange/ pink color under blacklight is showing in this photo!

Here is a few sec vided that I created under blacklight!

I definitely will continue to create more beads and tests to really capture this new to me glass.

It does remind me of Double Helix's Olympia Rain of the past. I loved that glass in my storm beads!

#effetre

#italianglass

#silverglass

#nortel

#cimglass

#creationismessy

#doublehelixglass

#pendragonfyre 

#handmade

#handmadeincanada 

#lampworkglass 

#maker 

#lampworkbeads 

#glassbeads 

#lampwork 

#lampworker 

#beadmaker 

#softglass 

#handmadebeads 

#sodalime 

#craftsperson 

@nortel_glassgirl

New Storm Beads to welcome in February!

In the focus of this blog post, I am reviewing my recent testing with new to me Double Helix glasses - Elpis 2 and UVX-963 Ultraviolet Aion.

First up. For this set of storm beads, I used Effetre 36 Aquamarine transparent, as the base glass.  

After adding a layer of ivory glass and layers of CiM Black Currant and stormed Double Helix new UV glass called UVX963 that was reduced and encased in clear glass portals. 

Double Helix's UVX-963 is not currently listed on the website but a note from Jed in my order states it as a variant of Aion. When stormed, it creates stands of golden ivory swirled like tornado clouds. 

Each bead was finished with dots of DH garage glass coded as CL.OD.e which when reduced shines with blue and pink metallic shine. 

Small aquamarine spacers along with glass facetted crystals complete this set.

For these next 2 sets, I used Effetre 916 Mint opaque, as the base glass. The first set was made on 1/16" mandrels.

After adding a layer of ivory glass and layers of CiM Gypsy and stormed Double Helix Elpis 2 that was reduced and encased in clear glass portals. 

Each bead was finished with dots of Elpis 2 which when reduced creates a metallic shine. Small mint green spacers complete this set.

The second set is a small set of big hole beads. 

The glass combinations are exactly the same and these would like great on a simple silver chain or those well known interchangeable bead bracelets.

Til next time,

#effetre

#italianglass

#silverglass

#nortel

#cimglass

#creationismessy

#doublehelixglass

#pendragonfyre 

#handmade

#handmadeincanada 

#lampworkglass 

#maker 

#lampworkbeads 

#glassbeads 

#lampwork 

#lampworker 

#beadmaker 

#softglass 

#handmadebeads 

#sodalime 

#craftsperson 

@nortel_glassgirl

@dubhelix