Experiments in failure

Okay, so I figured out how to run the kiln. I know how to cut and assemble glass. Now, I just need to work on choosing colors better! Case in point, I have a piece of dark purple glass that I knew would look black when fired unless used as a suncatcher or nightlight. Well, I thought to try it for a fan pull, with a piece of glittery blue on top. I thought that the blue would show up through the purple (I fired upside down because of a loop technique I was trying). Well, opened the kiln this morning to a nicely shaped dark piece of glass. Ugh, not at all what I was hoping for. Same thing with a pendant using similar colors. Later, I picked up a suncatcher that I made and some of the rays dropped right off! I am not sure why that happened. To put a positive spin on it all, the suncatcher pieces can be used to decorate something else, the dark blobs can be broken and used in molds, and I am learning from my mistakes. Still don't have anything to add to my shop www.etsy.com/shop/eyeseesage, but will keep trying :) Got a lot of work ahead of me.