CiM Testing: 'Allspice'

I've just written up my test findings for the first of the new bundle of Creation is Messy glasses. This one is 'Allspice' and it's a lovely opal brown.

To read what I thought about Allspice, please click here and you'll be magically transported to my Tumblr.

CiM Testing : Sepia

I used to love Effetre's 018  Transparent Light Brown.  I say used to because I haven't used it for years as every time I buy a bundle it's not right.  I don't know if Effetre changed the recipe or formula but the 018 glass I've bought over the past couple of years has been more like Straw Yellow.  As a result I now have a massive stack of yellowy glass that is nowhere near as nice as the Transparent Light Brown of old.

But that doesn't matter because now we have Creation Is Messy's Sepia which is, dare I say, even nice than the Effetre Light Brown. Sepia is browner and has an ever-so-slight pinkness to it.

Sepia melts really well - it's smooth but not gloopy which makes it great for encasing.  The photograph below shows Sepia over a base of CiM Butter Pecan and they're decorated with Butter Pecan spots :

This beautiful brown also looks great when it's etched.  Here are some Sepia beads decorated with CiM Chai polka dots :

It's good to know that I no longer have to worry about ordering glass that is supposed to be brown but is more like a yellow as I know I can rely on Creation Is Messy's beautiful Sepia.

CiM Testing : Hippo

This is a brand new colour from Creation Is Messy but it's a Limited Run meaning that once it's gone it's gone.

Hippo is an opaque grey with a hint of brown about it. It's very similar to CiM Khaki but in my opinion it behaves a little bit better. It's great to work with - it's got a nice medium consistency, it doesn't reduce or devitrify and it looks fab when etched. It also encases really well.

The photo below shows a strand of test beads I made to compare Hippo with other colours :

Beads from left to right : Hippo, Hippo etched, Hippo thinly encased with Vetrofond Clear, Hippo thickly encased with Vetrofond clear, CiM Khaki, Effetre 268 Pearl Grey and Effetre 252 Dark Grey.

As I say, Hippo has got a hint of taupe or ecru about it which means that it works beautifully with brown. The 'Earthy' polka dot beads below have a core of Hippo encased with Vetrofond clear. The polka dots are CiM Adamantium and the spacers are CiM Mink.

Hippo works quite nicely as stringer too. It's quite crisp and smooth and only spreads if you really, really heat it. The beads below show Hippo paired with Adamantium.

It's a shame that Hippo is a Limited Run because I really like it. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to grab a stash of it while I can!