Drop Ring Mold

I made my own drop ring mold with Kaiser Lee Board and rested that on top of kiln bricks. I made a 5 1/4" square piece--that I ended up fusing too long. The edges dog-eared. But I used it on the drop ring mold anyway. Then I lost control of the drop! I looked, it was sagging slightly...I waited 10 minutes and it was sagged like this.

I was expecting mediocre things when I opened the kiln this morning. I was pleasantly surprised! I like it. I'd like one better that I control more. But I really like this. I can't wait to make more!

My Muse

Check out my new desk accessory! Roxy has decided she loves sleeping on my desk while I'm on the computer. So I got her a blanket and enjoy her company! She's so darn cute!

Don't Let the Bead Bug Bite!

You read that right! Bead bug (not bed bug!)!

I took a bead making class at United Art Glass at the end of February. And I am hooked! I absolutely love the bead making process. The teacher was remarkable and taught the class clearly and concisely. His style of teaching really worked for me. I made the beads below at the class.



I got this key chain (above) at the bead store. Splurged! The bead is so cool! This was the second one I made.

The beads below were made at home. In the freezing garage. I really need to do some insulation or a space heater or anything to make the garage warmer! Yikes! It's cold out there! It took me hours to get warm after making these beads. And I think the cold air temperature in the garage made it harder to make the beads. The glass seemed to cool over very quickly.

The funky white one was supposed to have mica powder in it. I didn't have my reference chart and tried using the lime green powder. Didn't work! It disappeared. The grooved blue bead happened when I tried raking the dots to make hearts and the bead release crumbled. I think it was from the cold air!

Below is a closeup of my favorite bead so far. I did a clear core, then a blue and white twist, then another clear layer, and lastly a green and qhite twist. I made the twists in class. I couldn't make a stringer worth anything but I could make some incredible twists!

I can't wait to make more. I just need it to be a little warmer. I wish I could make beads indoors.

Video

I got a video camera and made a movie!

Check it out!

Wire Wrapping

I took a wire wrapping class at United Art Glass in Naperville. It was very basic, but the price was worth it for learning how to make the silk chokers and using the jewelry grouve grinder bit. Plus I ended up with some pretty necklaces (the cabs were provided by the glass shop)!

Fused Bracelet

This was my second attempt at a kiln-formed bracelet (the first fell to pieces when it flew off my wrist). I need some practice! lol The ends are uneven. I had to grind away part of an end to get it on. I did this a few months ago but am getting the urge to do another!

Kaiser Lee Board

I ordered some Kaiser Lee Board from Two Lasses around Christmas and just used it yesterday. Thank God I had safety glasses and a mask--because that stuff sure gets powdery and air borne! It cuts like butter with the putty knife that came with my KLB kit from Two Lasses. I made a simple square mold--just under 8" square, with a 1" lip, and 1" deep.

My bowl had some rough edges but they came right off with my grinder today. Next time I will make a two-layer fused piece before I slump it.

I'm going to use the rest of the KLB to make a drop mold and a pendant mold.



Roxy my itty bitty dog posed with the bowls. I can't resist sharing these pictures! She's about 5 pounds, I think. Maybe only 4. Definitely not a big dog!



I melted another bottle. A Sobe drink bottle. The neck turned out really cool because the salamanders on the original bottle stayed on the melt--and they criss-cross because you can see through the clear glass.

First Bottle Slump

Now I've found a use for all the O'Doulls bottles Jim is accumulating! I've been wanting to try this since summer, but just got around to it yesterday.

I slumped so slowly--something I never do. I should have let it soak a little longer, but I really liked the shape. Except it isn't closed up on the end. Could be a problem when washing.

It could be a spoon rest or a small cheese tray. It's a little plain--maybe needs some etching or painted flowers. Something food-safe, of course!

I need blue bottles and red and amber and...