Deb & Curt Maxwell on mon 2 dec 96
I am about to do some experiments with clay, glass and metal. I am not a
functional potter but a sculptor of sorts. I sculpt heads etc. but I also
like to create pictures from manipulated and textured clay etc. I would like
to add metal and or glass to my pieces as I fire them and I wonder if any of
you have had any experiences (positive or negative) that you would share with
me. I will be happy to report on my findings once I fire and "raise the lid".
This is the kind of thing I cannot find in books. If anyone knows of any
reference material on this kind of application I would be most grateful. I am
still very much an amateur when it comes to operating my kiln (Skutt electric
with the computerish attachment that guides the firing). One time I forgot to
do the initial venting and a very large and flat relief piece blew up. Not to
be defeated I used the pieces to create a unique mixed media piece. I later
read that large, flat pieces should have sand(?) under them so they can move
during firing. Could this be any sand? Or would it have to be something
special to prevent contamination, melting bits etc.? Please advise. Also
someone else asked this question and I have yet to see an answer - can I put
the special high temperature wire that ceramic stores sell directly into my
clay to use as a small armature (to stay during firing etc.). Note: up to
now I have been doing all my firing in the low range. Is that better or worse
for glass. I have some specialty fusing glass I can use or can go the old
wine bottle route.
Thanks to everyone. d.l. clay (deb)
cd_max@msn.com
Christine Davis on tue 3 dec 96
I have made limited attempts to fire glass into clay (low fire earthenware,
commercial glazes, thrown and handbuilt, electric Paragon kiln). I have
had close to success at cone 022 - 019, but I think it needs to be fired
a little hotter, maybe cone 015-012. I have been using glass marbles,
at the advice of someone who says she has success with them at cone
022, I also have some stained glass pieces that I want to experiment
with but haven't yet. As soon as the Christmas rush is over, I want
to continue my experiments. Good luck and let me know how it turns out.
Patsy Catsos on tue 3 dec 96
I have done some experimenting with glass/clay with very unpredictable
(sometimes beautiful) results. One thing that I would recommend is doing a
large series of test tiles: test each glass that you want to use at a
variety of temperatures (1700 degrees to 2000 degrees F) to see what happens.
Glass purchased from a stain glass dealer led to much more predictable
results than "found" glass, which sometimes wouldn't even melt at cone 6. I
ultimately "gave up" on the glass/clay stuf because of lingering safety
concerns. I assumed that the glass may have lead in it. The glass
inevitably crazed, and running my finger along the suface resulted in glass
splinters. I tried brushing clear glaze over the glass at times. The flux
in the glaze did lower the melting temp of the glass but didn't help the
splinters. Also the glass "crawled" a lot on flat surfaces. I hope that you
have better luck than I did!
Patsy Catsos
patsycats@aol.com
Cape Elizabeth, ME, USA
Valice Raffi on thu 5 dec 96
Deb,
I haven't tried any glass yet, but I have fired metal, mostly copper at ^06
electric. I have fired the copper (cut designs from sheet) and slightly
imbedded it into the clay. Because copper reacts like lamination, I lost
the top layer. It was a gorgeous shade but it flaked off. What was left
was going to be fine by me, but when I re-fired with glaze on the piece,
the remaining copper just decomposed.
I've also fired copper wire, the fine wire decomposes, but a thicker one
*sorry I don't know what gauge* worked well for me. It got pitted (which I
like), but came through both a bisque and glaze firing just fine.
I've also fired slip impregnated fabric over an "armature" of aluminum
window screen. That piece is still holding up well, but the screen did
melt a bit. The fabric I used was cheesecloth (very porous) and the
aluminum formed small beads in random areas through the cloth. They popped
off easily with my fingernail though.
I'm sure glad you posted your question, you've reminded me to get back to
those experiments!
Valice in Sacramento
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