The morning was spent classroom fashion being introduced to the basic principles of fusing in a kiln. The main point was the importance of compatible glass and correct heating and cooling in the kiln. A demonstration of stresses caused by incompatible glass showing in crossed polarised light took me back to my student days - identifying minerals in microscope slides using polarised light. I was as interested in looking at the colours and shapes of the minerals as in identifying the rock samples.
After the technical talk we purchased suitable glass and constructed pieces to be fired. I got a tub of small offcuts to try different combinations of glass rather than try to make a finished piece. The day finished with placing our work in a kiln, to await firing.
Nothing to take home this time, that had to wait a few days for the firing and cooling. However, we were given a web link to a FIG Dropbox with a good range of information.
I could sign up for the longer fusing course at one day a week, but this would have meant I would only be able to prepare and fire around one item a week. Instead, I decided to jump in and bought a kiln, the largest that can be run off 120 volt with an effective diameter of about 11 inches on a 7 sided shelf. FIG had them on sale, with a four programme 8 segment controller. FIG have also been most helpful with advice, encouragement and information.
The kiln has provided a quick way to learn the techniques and art of fusing. Its very satisfying to open the kiln in the morning and see things have worked as expected. But there have also been some surprises - the most spectacular being my first attempt at slumping in to a mould. I was aware that trapped air would cause bubbles - but this big!!! Carefully looking at the piece showed me what happened. We decided it looked like a badly cooked tomato and bacon omelette.
Lookks like a bit more than trapped air- bring this piece and the mold in next time for us to examine and advise,
ReplyDeleteMikey