How to make raku glass "pop" tutorial

This little hint is written for lampwork artists that are unable to get some nice colors with raku glass.  First of all, I use soda lime glass (soft glass) that is 104 coe.  I use both raku frit and raku glass rod.  I seem to get the best effect with frit.

So basically what you will need to do is form the bead to whatever shape you desire, first.  Then when the bead is still hot, add the raku frit or decorate with your glass rod.  Once done melt it all in to the base color, and let the bead cool down.  

Once the bead has cooled down, reheat the bead, this time using a lot of heat in a reducing flame.  A reducing flame means, a flame with more propane than usual.  Once heated up and molten, quickly cool the bead.  I cool my beads by placing them on the back of a cold, brass lampwork press.  I just lightly rub the bead around so that the raku cools down quickly.  Now take a look at your bead.  If the raku glass looks like it needs more color in a certain area, heat that spot up again and cool it quickly again with the brass press.  You can't heat and cool the bead too much because after awhile the raku color will fade away and look dark.  So you must try to get it right the first couple of times!

Practice, practice, practice and eventually it will become easy.  Good luck and have fun playing around.