search  current discussion  categories  materials - misc 

glass fusing in a ceramic kiln/square vases

updated thu 20 jun 02

 

Joyce Lee on wed 19 jun 02


My wonderful Cress electric kiln was purchased several years before I =
even thought of pottery .... at a "doll show" in Anaheim, California, =
at a great show price as long as we trucked it home, which we did .... =
didn't know at the time how great it was. I'd never seen the likes of =
that particular craft before either and was impressed. However, I =
quickly figured that creating the clothes, wigs,
shoes ...... or purchasing them ... and all the other doll encoutrements =
would be beyond my skills, and not details that would entertain me for =
long, although I enjoy looking at the finely detailed work of others.=20

BUT at this same show I wandered into a two hour workshop on
glass fusing which I also found intriguing as well as within my =
capabilities .... not really all that simplistic, but that's what I =
thought at the time.

Anyway, the glass fusing/slumping "hobby" lasted off and on about a year =
until I retired and discovered clay. I'd highly recommend finding a =
workshop=20
where you'll learn about firing temps, slump molds, where to purchase =
supplies etc. I'm sure the internet would be the place to research =
supply houses where you could get catalogs (full of info themselves on =
suggestions for how-to's)
... as well as find glass lists.

Getting back to your question.... yes, you can use an electric "ceramic" =
kiln for firing glass ...... if you know the appropriate =
temperatures/cones for firing.

Joyce
In the Mojave where I'm now making holes in the 58 square vases (started =
with 70 ..... some cracked, were poorly constructed, looked tacky etc). =
I'm using a clay hole punch, then pushing down excess clay and rough =
spots with a tool
handle (one of Phil's). I'm smacking the bottoms around until they =
level out and broaden slightly, barely perceptibly. Used three clays so =
far...... can't wait to fire ......