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Thanks Don and Marty. Marty, I checked out the different concrete finishes and a honed surface sounds like a good option. Pretty nice looking too. This new studio is about 2/3 the size of my previous one and so space management is a bit of a challenge. Although I think I have the layout where the ki...

I’m building a new studio and I’m undecided on what type of flooring to choose. Although I will have a separate concrete floored area for most cold working tasks, some will be done in the main layup/design portion of the studio. The entire building will have a poured concrete subfloor, which I’m con...

Hi. Our home and my shop were destroyed in the Paradise Camp Fire on November 8th. While digging through documentation for the insurance company, I came across this photo. I just finished the bowl a little over two weeks ago. It was the last piece produced in my studio and I had forgotten that I had...

Yes, several coats of kiln wash will stop the glass from sticking to your shelfduring normal fusing temperatures. You sound like someone new to glass craft. I strongly suggest you buy and (more imprtantly) read Brad’s book Contemporary Fused Glass before you go much further!

In addition to reds...orange and yellow transparents will have a tendency to opalize at pot melt temperatures. So, unless you’d like this effect, you should avoid these colors.

Sharol

I received the TaoFiber samples and don’t care much for the stiffness of the backing. I understand that all of these papers use some type of a latex matrix for the backing, but the Tao is even stiffer than the Lytherm product, which is pretty stiff. It is quite smooth, though not as smooth as the Fi...

Thanks, Marty. I’m still waiting on my samples of the TaoFiber, but now have sample of the FiberFrax 970 (great looking stuff!), KaoWool 900 and Lydall Lytherm 970 (I think this is what Bullseye sells and uses in classes, but I’m not sure). Of the three, so far the Fiberfrax wins for its low shot co...

Hi, I’m searching for an extremely smooth, low “shot” content fiber paper. Something along the lines of a KaoWool series 2000 product. This is supposed to be an equivalent: https://ceramicfiber.com/ceramic-fiber-paper/ I’ve sent for a sample to test fire, but was hoping someone had experience using ...

It is so great to see your work posted here again! I’ve missed you! What a wonderful thing for you to once again merge these two glass methodologies. Inspirational. Thank you for posting the pictures of your adventure.
Sharol

Hi Hav, I don’t know what maximum temperature you can take vermiculite to, but I was having some cracking problems with the vermiculite base in my vitrigraph kiln. I asked the nice folks at Bullseye about it and they suggested I prefire the shelf before using it. I was told to fire it AFAP to 860 C,...

Linda, What COE glass did you use in the melt? If it is COE 90 or 96, your anneal cool in both firings is way too fast for a 1/2” thick piece, especially one that has been high-temp fired. I would slow that down to 25 to 35 degrees from your anneal soak to 800 degrees and then you could speed up a b...

I love precision craftmanship and this is a fine example of it! Lovely composition. Well done! Congratulations!
Sharol

Hi Jim, A few years ago, I flattened a 16" bowl to correct a flaw. I did it with the opening down towards the shelf. I slumped it super slow (could dig up the schedule if you're interested) and I was surprised at how well it turned out. It ended up being a flat, almost perfectly round blank, th...

I really like the organic rim on this piece. The interior color combination is striking! Nicely done, Jim! Thanks for posting it. It's great seeing what you've been up to

Sharol

Thanks Seachange. I've been working with dropout moulds too and appreciate your comments regarding finding the balance when it comes to wall thickness. I have yet to find the magic formula to successfully drop out a mixed component, combed slab. I'm still trying though. Hopefully my glass budget can...

For the past several months I've been drawn back to combing after a year-long murrini detour. I'm still exploring how to incorporate murrini into my combing passion, but in the interim I have been working on visual texture techniques other than Bob's wonderful crackle. This piece is probably half-ba...

Billsbayou,

I find your posts intriguing. Please share some images of what you are doing in glass.

Sharol

Hi Wragell. By "inclusions", you're referring to the bubble holes you found upon slicing the slab? Some of those holes may fill in when refired, but some may not. It depends upon how big/deep they are and how hot you fire the piece. I've had good luck just filling the void with clear fine ...

Yes, drywall sanding mesh works best. It's also what I use to clean my shelves. Works great. Wear gloves though. It's rough on your hands.

Thanks Peter for posting the link. I went ahead and ordered one. It will be nteresting to see how I adapt to positioning the cutting blades perpendicular, rather than parallel to the cane. I'm curious if you found it to be heavy in hand after a bit of use. I do believe I need to start some grip stre...