Copper Wire fused between glass

bheath · Post by **bheath** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:09 pm

Can anyone help me with the name of a product or a procedure that protects the color of copper wire fused in between two pieces of glass and fired at full fuse?

Mira · Post by **Mira** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:22 pm

I think I read in the archives that a borax solution will do it. Sorry, don't know the exact formula, though.

Mira

Lyn · Post by **Lyn** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 1:36 am

Mine turned redish I was just wondering what color background glass would go well with it. Do you use the borax between layers of glass? I've just heard of it used on the surface. My sterling wire has a light yellow around it, is the fix for that using fine silver? Lyn

http://community.webshots.com/user/lynfeu

Tony Smith · Post by **Tony Smith** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 7:31 am

Lyn wrote:Mine turned redish I was just wondering what color background glass would go well with it. Do you use the borax between layers of glass? I've just heard of it used on the surface. My sterling wire has a light yellow around it, is the fix for that using fine silver? Lynhttp://community.webshots.com/user/lynfeu

The yellow around your silver wire is called silver stain. It is caused by silver leaching into the glass. If you use silver, there's a chance you'll get silver stain. Like the irid problems in another current thread, it's not always consistent.

Try using nichrome wire instead. It stays bright and shiny and is much stonger than silver when you form your loops. You can get various diameters and lengths from McMaster-Carr at http://www.mcmaster.com page 3398 in their current online catalog. They call it nickel chromium wire or Chromel C.

Tony

Lyn · Post by **Lyn** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 7:54 am

Thanks Tony, I did get some nicrome wire and it stays nice as a loop for a chain. Haven't tried it between layers of glass. The silver stain looked like frost on branches thought I might use it that way.

Tom White · Post by **Tom White** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 7:55 am

I have kept sheet copper inclusions bright by coating them with clear Unique Glass Paint before fusing. I get some bubbles on the copper. You can see at http://photos.yahoo.com/tomwhite2

Best wishes,
Tom in Texas

Lyn · Post by **Lyn** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 11:28 am

Very graphic example on the 2nd star. Thanks. I've also wondered about watercolor lusters, tried sharpies in gold and silver after someone said they worked on glass, the silver worked well gold didn't for me.

Thanks to all,
this forum is a wonderful source
Lyn

bheath · Post by **bheath** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 12:06 pm

Thanks for all your helpful suggestions. This is my first time on and I agree with Lyn, this forum is a wonderful source

Judy Schnabel · Post by **Judy Schnabel** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 1:45 pm

Tom,

How do you apply the clear Unique?

I took your suggestion first time I tried firing the copper between two layers of float. But I used a little sponge brush and the brush marks showed after it was fired. Do you use an airbrush?

Also, what gauge copper are you using? I just received the sample from Nimrod Hall.

Has anyone used pearl-ex on copper then firing it?

Judy

Wayne · Post by **Wayne** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 12:35 pm

Where do you get clear unique

Judy Schnabel · Post by **Judy Schnabel** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 1:34 pm

I'm not at my own computer right now but I believe you can find Unique Paints at http://www.crestmolds.com

Judy