Val Cox Frit - Raku Jitterbug

Raku Jitterbug - this is the frit that gets everyone hooked. It's unassumingly plain look - like a dish of cane sugar and sand - blossoms into a peacock range of colours. It's magic! It delights. It enchants. And after that - you go frit crazy - looking for the next hit with the stunning results. This is the crack cocaine of frits.

The working notes say:

Opaque/Reactive. A complex glass frit which first appears dull, but from which the most intriquing shades of pink, violet, blue, and green can emerge. ... needs intense heat, then quick cooling - generally by marvering. (Hot head torches probably wont be hot enough ...). Use on any base, ... do not combine with silver foil. Use a neutral, hot flame.



The first bead - is a black base on the left and an ivory base on the right. I fritted and super heated and then marvered - and it came up with the most beautiful bloom of blue/purple I have ever seen from this frit - or any of the Iris Orange frits (same category of frit - from other manufacturers). Firepolishing it, unfortunately, toned it down.

The black-charcoal grey around the frit spots is a reaction with the ivory - this glass is very reactive! It's actually not possible to see where the black base stops and the ivory base starts. The dramatic blues and purples do appear on both ends though.


Next up - on black, and again - very nice, strong reactions. Not so much of the deep blue, but definitely way cool.























Here it is on clear. Again - it lost colour when reheating to firepolish - but given that I can not stand chill marks ... . Maybe I should just blow on it?

This bead is quite striking in person. As you move it around - you see the frit from inside as well - a rich amber reflecting through from the other side of the bead. Makes a nice effect.









This cylinder is another half black, half ivory bead. This was marvered again after the firepolish. It got so hot and swirly that the frit has dragged out into long lines. Colour is good though.










This was a base of white, plus frit, encased, mashed. More frit, marvered, mashed, and then the black stringer, ridges and clear dots were added.


This frit is fun, and is one of the most popular frits around. The dramatic effects are rewarding - and it's fun to experiment with. This one is definitely a keeper!