Hooray for MAPP!

Look what arrived at my front door today...

I think it's amusing that it says it includes "real glass rods" as if there are imititation glass rods out there.



Here's what was inside the kit...

The most exciting piece for me here is the new torch head!  It means I get to use MAPP gas which burns a whole lot hotter and a whole lot cleaner than the propane I have been using. 

And here are the things I did with this new arrival today...

First up, test on iron beads with enamel.  The bead on the left is with my new torch, the one on the right was made with my old torch, same color enamel.  Big difference don't you think, this alone was worth the purchase.

Next I had to try some tube beads with enamel, you may remember I had some really muddy looking ones in another post.  These are so much better, orange is orange and not grey, and foxglove purple is just that, though this pic makes it look a little grey.

Then I had to try my hand at lampworking.  Shhhh, these beads are "resting" in their blanket so that they won't crack as they cool.  I will try to get some close ups tomorrow of these first wobbly attempts.  Feel free to laugh along with me some of these will not be pretty :).   I have always wanted to try lampwork beadmaking, we will see where it takes me in the coming days.

These came out so wonky I didn't even let them rest in the blankets with the others, LOL.  I will save them to remind me of what not to do in the future!

Made these today before the new torch arrived.  Propane is fine for firing from underneath.  These are some pieces i'm working on for a show this Saturday.

Made this guy for a bracelet for the boy today.  He requested it when he saw all the Jacks I was making.  One eye is a little off but he loves it.  Have to remember to post the rest of the pupmkin patch soon.

Hope you are having a happy and creatively productive week. I will try to keep you posted with pics the next few days, but as I mentioned earlier I am in some last minute production for a show on Saturday, so the posts will probably be long on pics and short on words like this one.