New Commissions

Before and after pix ....I spent part of my day degreasing some really good looking gears for my latest commission, in progress.

Each gear was absolutely caked in thick sludge. I feel like I should become a spokesperson for  Dawn liquid soap! I use it all the time to wash my glass...and I have to say it is fantastic at removing this gunk!

I looked up sludge in the thesaurus and among the synonyms I found these wonderful words: goo, grease, gunk, and muck! Dawn made a gross task simple and efficient!

Anyway, I can't reveal the details of the project until it is presented. but I am really excited about it !

I just started cutting the glass today....Due to other obligations, no glass work for the next few days...but I will resume the work late next week. I'll post more pix and info then!

I just finished another commission, but again, I can't share anything about it until later...in June.

Stay tuned. I know my posts are sporadic...but I appreciate you taking the time to read them!

      

Testing copper in the kiln

Copper is a wonderful material to use as an inclusion in fused glass projects. The color it turns is a bit unpredictable because copper will react not only to heat, but also to the chemical composition of the glass it is sandwiched between. Most often it will turn into a deep red with bluish or purplish notes. Sometimes it will turn blue. Treated with lemon juice it tends to stay true to its copper notes. Before I gamble with the star I just cut out, I need to make sure I will achieve the desired effect. 

My next project needs the the copper to turn red. Step 1 is to take pieces of sample glass and test what happens when the copper is sandwiched between 2 layers.

BEFORE

AFTER 

The top piece has two pieces of clear reactive glass.

The middle has clear reactive glass on the bottom and is capped with clear.

The bottom is 2 pieces of clear.

I fused these to a top temp of 1450° with a bubble squeeze at 1250° on the way up.

THE RESULTS:

The reactive glass causes the copper to turn quite dark....too dark for my purposes...but clear on clear is the magic I was hoping for!

Check back in a few days to see my next steps in this project.

They've Been Framed!

This framed photo is headed for Hawaii.....
The photo is 10"x14"- the yellow board is 21"x22"

I am happy with the frame...but nothing is as beautiful as the smiles in this family reunion picture!