May 4, 2009 at 3:58 am (Bullseye, glass, lampwork, lentil)
Tags: beads, Bullseye, dots, freeform, glass bead, lampwork
Made some random beads tonight that may or may not work. I made a caterpillar, but I fear it will crack. I don’t think I kept it backed into the flame enough as I was working (endlessly it seemed) on the dots. Also, very bad stringer control, a little shaky and maybe just a little tired after last night’s successes.
Tried to make a butterfly sort of thing, and a really funny thing happened. As I was adding glass to the sides for “wings,” I suddenly noticed 3 rows of glass I had added were just…gone. I looked around my work area, and never did find them. This is generally something you don’t want to happen, because duh glass is hot. It will burn ya! And your clothes. And your carpet.
Then tested out my lentil and pillow molds, with dubious results. Need to figure out exactly how much glass to melt for a perfect fit. Did discover that the Bullseye Orange Marmalade is a really pretty glass.
Will post pix tomorrow.
Leave a Comment
May 3, 2009 at 9:41 pm (Bullseye, glass, lampwork, studio)
Tags: accidental beauty, beads, Bullseye, cheap glass, COE104, creativity, freeform, glass bead, glass studio, lampwork
I think I beat my previous record for a torch session: 12 beads in two sittings.
I feel…sorta possessed. Working with the Bullseye glass had given me new energy. It seems to be very forgiving. Having the kiln going for immediate annealing also helps, especially for the thin, scalloped discs. I had not one single casualty!
Seaform III
This is a thin disc of different colored layers, flattened and shaped as it grew. The edges were scalloped with the dragging/poking tool, and dots applied to the disc as the last step.
My last bead of the night:
Crayzee Dayzee
same process as above, but the disc is fatter so the “petals” wouldn’t droop. Then went all fussy on the dotting, which is not as neat as I would like, but hey, I’ll take it!
Something has happened in this past couple of months, but especially in the last few days since pulling out the Bullseye rods from the corner. I feel more in control. Though I’ve been more than willing to take chances this last two months and not mind failing, upping my chances of success with the tools I use has been a phenomenal experience.
So the question is, how — or indeed WHETHER — to transition from COE104 (Moretti/Effrete/Vetrofond) to COE90 (Bullseye, most likely). I will use up my current stock of about 15-20 rods before making a commitment: Bullseye can be a bit pricey, and there’s no need to hurry the process. On top of price, there are space constraints, if a new collection of rods is to be as organized and handy as my current set-up — a necessity, not a choice.
Now I think I know why I was able to purchase collections of cheap glass from eBay when I first started lampworking! I think I will not do a complete turn-around, as I have lots of COE104 that I really, really like, especially my Vetrofond oddlots (of which I will be getting another bundle soon). There’s plenty of room for all of it under my tent!
Leave a Comment
May 2, 2009 at 8:01 pm (Bullseye, glass, lampwork, twisted cane)
Tags: accidental beauty, beads, Bullseye, creativity, freeform, glass, glass bead, lampwork beads, learning, process
I decided to mess about with some Bullseye glass that I’ve had forever and have barely used. The last time I tried, I was not happy…but I was also not quite as adept at the torch as I am now.
I didn’t really have a plan. I made a twistie, but it was really hard to pull. Bullseye is a bit stiffer, and I also didn’t have my punties ready for action (forgot to snip off the sharp ends, duh!). So that didn’t turn out well at all. I figured I’d choose some colors, pull some stringers, and just see how it felt.
I made a base bead out of swirly, transparent dark orange, then used dark orange opaque stringer (which barely showed up) and green sparkly stringer (which most emphatically did!). Then grabbed my poking/dragging tool and inadvertently pushed some of the glass up, and it didn’t just flop back into place. I pushed the next bit down, and then saw that the glass is stiffer, and takes/holds a shape very nicely.* I repeated the pattern a couple more times to make a scallop or clamshell shape. I added a few light purple dots around the scalloped edge, and that was that.
It was so easy to repeat, I made three. And two smaller spacer beads.
I am so happy with these beads, I am going to make a whole bunch of sets using different color palettes. If I am happy with them (and why wouldn’t I be?), I think I’ll make the leap and get the Bullseye sampler. I’ll try the same design, of course, using the Moretti/Efrete/Vetrofond that I’ve got, too, just to see if there is a marked difference.
This is fun, this is exactly what I want to do right now! Experiment and document, and hopefully find my own voice at the torch.
*The stiffness is what I didn’t like when working with Bullseye in my first few months of flameworking. Now that I am doing more complex stuff, I think it will be an advantage. From what I have been reading, stacked dots are easier to control, as they don’t spread so quickly. It will be easier to “sculptural” beads, too. If I decide to do that. (Many artists who do sculptural glass use boro because it has low COE and thus higher melting point, making it easier to shape and manipulate. It is also used for blown glass.)
1 Comment
January 31, 2008 at 6:04 pm (fusing, glass, kaleidoscope)
Tags: Bullseye, Edward Gorey, fused glass, kaleidoscope
I had much success in the assembly and running of my VLK (Very Large Kaleidoscope) for the Edwardian World’s Faire and Ball last weekend.
I knew weekend before last that the major components would work fine, i.e., the moving parts moved and the reflecty parts reflected. When I went to do the aesthetics the night before the event (!), I found that it was very visually — unstunning. In fact, it didn’t really do much of anything. My lovely partner pointed out to me that what I needed was large objects rotating in and out of the line of sight. It seemed that the lovely fused glass disc I had made might do nothing but obscure the effect I wanted. But alas! We found a way to make it work, and it was lovely.
Pix to come.
Leave a Comment
January 21, 2008 at 11:17 pm (fusing, glass, lampwork)
Tags: beads, Bullseye, fusing, glass art, glass studio, lampwork, Lauscha, Moretti, Vetrifond
The new cabochons are fabulous. Looks like I got the right size clear overlay piece, and very little bubbling action. Not that I mind bubbles. The backs are much cleaner using kiln paper as opposed to setting the pieces onto the kiln-washed holder, but I like having the texture on the back from the wash. For now, paper is good since I need to “cold fuse” pin backs to the pieces.
I’m particularly pleased that for this application, the fusing program in the Jen-Ken users manual works quite well.
The result of David’s experiment with a metal washer filled with frit was…encouraging. The metal did not take to the high heat too well, but the glass didn’t break apart from the metal upon cooling, which was what we expected to happen. This could be a very interesting direction, if we can find affordable metal of high enough quality to withstand the heat.
My yaller beads look pretty nice. More tonight.
When I started this blog, I resolved to do at least one bead per day when I’m home, no matter how busy/crazy. Last night was a challenge, as I was cold and tired. But once the torch went “whoosh” I got a lot warmer!
Leave a Comment
January 21, 2008 at 3:41 am (fusing, glass, lampwork, studio)
Tags: beads, Bullseye, fusing, glass art, glass studio, lampwork, Lauscha, Moretti, Vetrifond
Spent a very satisfying and productive Saturday at our friends’ house in Berkeley (Hothouse), and returned early this AM with a mostly built and tested kaleidoscope — prettifying will happen this week, but the device works, and that was my goal for the weekend.
After getting home, we decided that cleaning the “lab” might be the best use of our time. The lab is a project room that tends to become a junk magnet. We need space to work on the kaleidoscope and other things, so *zing* into cleaning mode. Incidentally, my glass studio has been set up in one corner of one end of the (very large) room since I started lampworking.
During the course of the cleaning, we completely re-vamped my studio! I am so pleased to have my glass-cutting surface freed from the kiln, which is now on an appropriate surface (a tile-covered table). I have a second credenza-type cabinet for storing sheet glass when I finally get my Bullseye assortment, er, assorted.
This is my lampwork station. Cleaner than usual.
Leave a Comment
January 18, 2008 at 9:49 pm (fusing, glass, kaleidoscope, lampwork)
Tags: beads, Bullseye, fusing, glass art, glass studio, lampwork, Lauscha, Moretti, Vetrifond
A new cylinder of gas. A discussion with Jackie at KMG about oxy-propane, and the possibility of switching when a new studio is in the picture. A discussion about boro glass, and how Moretti and Vetrifond and others are offering a similar color palette. An attempt to re-create the wedding cake bead that didn’t work and became a rectangle instead (and not a very good one, either). The need to clean and prepare my used mandrels for the next round of 40 beads. (I made a whole lot of beads this past 2-3 weeks! Hooray. Making up for lost time August – December 2007.)
For Edwardian weekend, I have loads of fused glass to design/assemble/fire (6 cabochons [designed, at least, and 3 assembled] and GoreyScope2 disc [not yet designed, even]). PLUS building Goreyscope2 and making costumery. Good thing I work well under deadline.
Leave a Comment
January 16, 2008 at 11:37 pm (fusing, glass, lampwork, studio)
Tags: beads, Bullseye, fusing, glass art, glass studio, lampwork, Lauscha, Moretti, Vetrifond
I got three of the six cabochons assembled last night, and really need to do the other three this evening so I can fire up the kiln tomorrow at 4 PM.
I am a little beat from work-outs today, and would love to just veg tonight. We are organizing an informal photo shoot for a party invite tonight, so I should try to do glass before.
Addendum: Oh well, guess I’ll do it tomorrow night 😉
I got my glass-cutting work surface, which consists of a large plastic grid to catch all of the stray shards and slivers. I really like it; it also is good for cutting a straight line. I am feeling ever more confident with the glass cutter and with handling the materials. With respect, or course! Cuz glass cuts flesh like butter.
Made a couple of fun beads too (still on the blue kick).
One I call a wedding cake. I’m going to try to duplicate it, as it was an accident that turned out nicely.
The other is a totally stolen idea (thanks, venbead). But I will only use it for gifts and such.
Leave a Comment
January 15, 2008 at 10:00 pm (jewelry, kaleidoscope, lampwork)
Tags: beads, Bullseye, fusing, glass art, glass studio, lampwork, Lauscha, Moretti, Vetrifond
So many glass acts yesterday.
I am making a 3-ft high kaleidoscope, with a fused glass disc as the design element. My friend and c0-worker Dave Hilyard (large optics specialist) cut the mirror for me into 8″ x 28″ lengths and smoothed the edges; he also gave me some adhesive strip to secure them together. Next I need to make the disk, and set up the motorized rotator. I will post pix and maybe a video when this is completed, IF it works or IF it doesn’t!
In the evening, my friend Rachel came over. We ate, sipped wine, and talked beads. She is a fabulous artist, and I wanted to pick her brains about possible settings for my beads. She had some insights, and she will do a wire class for me and a couple of friends in early February.
Then I made a couple of beads. Got a little ambitious with one of them and it broke, but in workable place. Pix to come later.
Leave a Comment
January 13, 2008 at 10:30 pm (fusing, glass)
Tags: beads, Bullseye, fusing, glass art, glass studio, lampwork, Lauscha, Moretti, Vetrifond
Made a half-dozen cabochons yesterday, and all are basically acceptable. One is exceptional, and raised my personal bar so that I must make another half-dozen utilizing the elements of design I employed. I spent an hour or so sitting at a caffeine depot, nursing a chai, and drawing some designs. I’ll post pix of my goreyglass after the Edwardian Ball weekend.
I need to design, not just assemble. This is true in my beadmaking as well. I tend to be pretty free-form, which is fine. But having good design sense and technique handy as tools makes free-form beading and fusing more fun. I’ve got a ways to go, though.
Leave a Comment
« Older entries
Glass Act 