Glasswork for the kitchen remodel involves three projects:
accent tiles for the countertop backsplash
light shades for 4 ceiling fixtures
panels for 3 cabinet doors
The plan here is to create black diamonds with dichroic circles and squares.
The test tiles are 4"x4" black on clear base with dichro. One test had clear on top of everything. Even though the firing went at 50F/hr from 1000-1250, it bubbled badly.
Subsequent advice from Warmglass.com was to put a clear cap on the dichro, since they are prone to scratching.
This involved taking the commercial shade and creating a mould. We (Gene Mayo and I) used 25 lbs of mould mix, poured over the inverted shade sitting in a stepping stone mould with a cardboard ring containing the mix (as a dam). We trimmed off the mould that was at a level with the top of the shade.
The commercial shade is 30 cm (11 13/16") in diameter.
The firing schedule is: all ramps 500F/hr. Ramp 300F - hold 1 hour; ramp to 1500F - hold 1 hour; ramp down to 700F - turn off kiln and cool.
 25 lbs of mould powder |
 used stepping stone mould with cardboard ring to contain mould mix |
 shade popped out |
 Gene Mayo trimming the mould |
 trimmed |
 fired |
 First test shade. Fired to 1480F. Clear on white, with baking soda between layers |
 After firing. Huge bubble! |
 bubble closeup |
 2nd test shade. Clear on clear. |
 after slumping |
 note that the 1/2" around the edge needed as a flat rim didn't happen! The extra glass folded up vertical. |
 |
 the mould showed hairline cracks |
 and completely fell apart carrying to the car. Onto the next mould. |
Last modified: 01/22/05 17:45