GLASS paper weights WESTERN MI Glass~bead expo Grand rapids

LAst week I met with a group of flame workers (lampworker/bead maker friends). We met at the Western Michigan glass society. (If you go to the site; a picture of me is on the homepage…lol!) We rented the space, with over 10 torches, and numerous tools. We talked about beads, techniques we use, we had a good time.

I was excited because I got to use the biggest stump sucker tool they have, and a little torch to practice schott crystal encasement (see these crystals the inventor of the tool made, he is also in e of my favorite instructors.)

With glass, every experience is a new learning experience. This piece is way off. Pretty, but WAY OFF! The flower petals were constructed improperly. (I like to use what I have, even when I know it is not perfect.  I was not going to spend a day making flowers I was just going to screw up learning what I was doing….) I heated the flowers too much. And, the glass I heated to encapsulat the flowers, I do not think was hot enough. You can tell because the flowers sagged while I was putting the glass on them.  It is the first one I have done without Loren next to me.  By next year I hope to get the perfect shape.

This weekend (SATURDAY) I am taking LOTS of beads to the bead expo at the Devos place in Grand Rapids. I am so excited to see all of the glass beads, and the polymer clay artist friends I made last year.  Come shop!

Schott cryatal paper weight with PEOPLE murrini

Those one of a kind running man murrini, and people murrini made into a paper weight I am really happy with.

Encased, and imploded murrini.  I learned borosilicate implosion work in August 2006. I have been practicing ever since. In September 2006, I studied with Loren stump, learning how to use Schott crystal. (Schott crystal is the OPPOSITE of borosilicat. Borosilicate is a hard glass. Schott is a VERY soft glass. (like soft rock, and hard rock; same thing.) The technique of imploding can be accomplished a number of different ways. 

First off. What is “imploding”. You actually get the (in this case murrini) murrini, or dots, that you apply to the glass to look like they are sucked up through the center, and explode into the center of a ball of clear glass. Sometimes you can see the trails of the image (like here) called an “implosion.”   I am sure you have seen it before. You may not of known what it was.

(FYI-One of the most fascinating parts about the technique (to me) is that you can get the same results doing the exact opposite. Yes, my first instructor taught me a technique, and the 2nd instructor taught me the exact opposite technique, and I got the exact same results.  Interesting. And! both instructors did not think it could be done with super soft glass.)

So, I had to try imploding with the super soft glass.  Why? Because this (schott crystal super soft glass)  is believed to be the cleanest, clearest, (expensive), consistent batch, CLEAR glass in the world.  I also enjoy the colors I get in my murrini with the soft glass. (soft and hard glass are not compatible)

This is one of my new paper weights. (For sale at my etsy shop)

The schott crystal is the cleanest clear soft glass on the market. I have a very strong interest in clean clear encasement’s.  I really enjoy the schott. I see myself using a lot of it in the future.

Have a beautiful crystal clear day!

 “Sketch book study part 2 from 1994” blog will not be available for another week. (SORRY! I know I said this week…) You can go to my old blog at Myspace and see Sketch book study part 1 from 1994…Click!

peace!