Kemper Fluid Writer Pen

01/28/10 - Kemper Fluid Writer Pen - The Kemper Fluid Writer Pen, also acknowledged as the Kemper Pen, is a super tool for signing your precious art or adding small detail items to fused glass. It can be purchased in either the large or small sizes. The large size makes marks that look about the size of an extra-fine Sharpie; while the small size makes super fine marks like a crow-quill pen. These may be purchased either at a ceramic supply store or online.

Contrary to a normal writing pen, this tool consists of a tiny cup to accommodate the fluid with a little empty tube jutting out from the bottom of the cup. The cup is filled and then the fluid comes out the tube and onto your surface.

Reaching Tongs

There are a few conditions in your fusing adventure when reaching tongs are required They really come in handy. This type of glass fusing tool is but one of the various tools that should be handy for a required procedure. They are is tremendous for accessing blistering items down inside a raging kiln. The circumstances that might require their use would be; to align items or to maneuver objects in a specific procedure. They are also utilized for grabbing sizzling items inside the kiln.

Mandrels in Glass Fusing

A mandrel is occasionally misspelled mandril. This fusing tool is added to the glass before fusing to produce a channel or hole or in the finished product. A hole or channel is sometimes desired for attaching further parts to the glass such as a chop sticks in a sushi dish or a necklace.

In glass fusing, these rods may be fabricated out of many items that either burn off entirely in the process or can hold up to the warmth within a kiln. Whatever matter is applied it is still necessary to coat the item with a bead release to keep the glass from bonding to the pole.

Fine Silver Wire in Glass Fusing

01/24/10 - Fine Silver Wire - Sometimes the question is asked whether you should use sterling silver or fine silver in your fusing projects. Did you know that fine silver wire is .999 pure, while sterling silver on the other hand is only .925 pure. This makes fine silver a tremendous wire to use as an inclusion in any glass fusing project. Once fired the wire will have a white matt appearance and will be weak. This white matt needs to be cleaned off to bring back the luster of the silver and the wire needs to be hardened. Tumbling the piece in a rock tumbler with a stainless steel shot will harden the metal and shine up the silver wire.

Using Beeswax or Chapstick to Protect Marks on Glass

01/18/10 - Chapstick/Beeswax - Either beeswax or chapstick is a fantastic tool to protect marks on glass. When marking a pattern on glass, it can be frustrating to see the design disappear during grinding or cutting the glass with a saw. To prevent the marks from quickly washing off during any process, try using just a dab of beeswax or chapstick. Taking this quick step can save time and the job of having to remark the glass over and over again.

Removing Bead Release in Glass Fusing

01/11/10 - Removing Bead Release in Glass Fusing - Removing the bead release after fusing a piece can be difficult to accomplish sometimes. This particular page will give a few recommendations for removing release after firing.

In fusing, bead release is sometimes used to cover a mandrel. Once dried, the mandrel is placed between layers of glass to leave an opening or channel in the glass. This substance turns from a grey-brown to white when fired inside the kiln. It is then washed off of the glass. Sometimes it can be a little stubborn and difficult to remove. This page offers some suggestions on how to remove the material from glass.

The Burnout Process

01/09/10 - Burnout Process - This is a process in glass fusing where certain types of materials are pre-fired to get rid of any unwanted substance. This undesired material is generally an organic binder. It needs to be fired out of the material before it can be used for any fusing purposes. In some cases the material can be burned out during the fusing process. This might be for example when you are using thick fiber paper to hold a space open in the glass.

This page is linked from the Technical Terms page, as I continue to update the site.

Glass Blank Information

01/05/10 - Glass Blank Information - The easiest way to portray a glass blank is to relate it to a canvas. Much like painting and creating a master piece, this blank glass is where you build the final fused glass art work. Cutting to any shape or size will depend on the desired outcome. When slumping into a mold it is usually cut into a particular shape to accommodate a mold. From this blank piece you enhance and add to the piece to achieve a preferred result.

Elegant Coral Bowl

01/03/10 - Elegant Coral Bowl - A new year is here and the time has come to put away all the holiday decorations. Living in sunny Southern California, the weather is warm this time of the year and we can actually go to the sandy beach. This Elegant Coral Bowl concept is like a breath of sea fresh air inside a winter home. Each of these coral bowls is a one of a kind piece. As you layer the strips it is almost impossible to have them form to any predetermined pattern. Arrange them to your liking and then just slump them over a kiln washed stainless steel bowl.