Happy Holidays

!Happy Holidays!

 

Paperweight test piece

I've been trying to make heavier pieces - to use as paperweights - and this one hasn't come out too badly.  I used two pieces of square clear glass (cut to size to fit micro size) with small rectangles of colour (2mm COE 90) on top, and fused it on Med until cooked.  It does take longer when it's thicker, but at least the base glass didn't crack this time.

New Collection

I have been experimenting with bits and pieces, different shapes and decals

These are just a few cut up chunks, from reject pieces, that I refired - I love the blue and orange - and think the two colours go well together.

This is fused with red striker, a coral and yellow piece
and a small piece of dichroic glass on top

Halloween Glass

Link

Link

Link

Gold Leaf and Blobs

The top photo are lots of little glass 'buttons' - these are cut up already fired pieces .... not sure as yet what to do with them, but I love them anyway!  :o)

The second photo is some gold leaf sandwiched between two pieces of clear glass, and fired - have no idea where the gold disappears to ...... but the effect is very pretty.

glass cut up and refired

 

All these pieces have been fired once - I didn't like the results, so generally cut them in half and refired them.  I tend to fire them on medium/high for a few minutes, then on high - until cooked.

glass cut up and refired

 

All these pieces have been fired once - I didn't like the results, so generally cut them in half and refired them.  I tend to fire them on medium/high for a few minutes, then on high - until cooked.

Nikki Ella Whitlock - glass artist

This beautiful piece is by Nikki Ella Whitlock

- more pieces by her are on my BeadBag Blog

Glass - cute

 

Links

Millfiori, Dichroic and Pot Luck!

Some new pieces

The two dark ones have been fused using dicroic glass on to a dark glass base
the first pic are some lovely millefiori pieces
from Hobby Island Mosaics

 

Sampling glass

I cut all these pieces to approx. 2cm x 2cm, and they mostly fired differently.  The thicker (3mm) glass stayed in shape more than the 2mm glass.  If you fire two 3mm pieces on top of each other, they will fire to a better shape.  However, these testers are good for remembering how your different colours fire ........ but they could also be used!

Apparently all glass 'wants' to fire to 6mm - this is a rule - so some thinner glass will pull in - hence the yellow glass peanut shape - which I rather like :o).

Decals and Glass Fusing in the Microwave Kiln

sheet of decals.

Decals are like kids transfers, they come on a printed sheet,
you cut them, soak them for a few seconds, remove the backing paper
and slide them on to your already fully-fired glass piece.
You can use a soft haired paintbrush or tissue to gently position them into place.  (Taking off some of the excess water too.)  Let them dry.

Firing decals is a little tricky - they need to be fired low and slow, but once fired,
you can zap up the heat just for a short spurt.

Trial and error seems to work!

Some decals come with a thin paper top 'cover' which has to be carefully peeled off.

With the Insect piece, I placed a small piece of clear confetti glass on top and refired it - this did seem to save time, but I found the firing schedule a bit hit and miss to give instructions.

Stripeys

 

Inspirational Glass - Dorothy Hafner

 

http://www.dorothyhafner.com/

Puddles & Millifiori

Puddles are made by placing little shards in a pile, and firing them.
The top left is also a Puddle, the blue is a sparkly glass on dark green, 

and the two below are millefiori on clear.

The Puddles are lovely to make, as you have no idea how they will turn out -

it's magic!