Not sure if this i the right place to put this but here goes....
As part of my current uni project, I am investigating methods of applying the same surface decoration to ceramics and glass, in this case, bas relief techniques.
I have been taking casts of objects in plaster, as well as carving patterns into plain plaster blocks. I have then slip cast some tiles in white earthenware before slumping (float) glass at higher temperatures to pick up all surface detail - kiln carving.
I've done loads which have produced varying and some interesting results (specially when I make photograms of the glass) - this one went somewhat wrong:
GLASS BUBBLE (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nZ7pOr5Fklk/SbfjmxD717I/AAAAAAAAAHA/XG3LAq4rLVs/s1600-h/glass+bubble.jpg)
I don't know if there was something the plaster (it was certainly dry as this is the second firing of the block) or something stuck on the surface of the glass that created a gas as it burnt off, and couldn't escape. Whatever it was, I doubt I could repeat it - but I do like it, even if I have no clue what to do with it!
The link is just to the image, if you (really) want to read the rest of the blog, click here (http://zeldazog.blogspot.com/).
WOW that is some bubble.
I really love that... Flatten the bottom, turn it on its end and fill it with lampwork beads, or sweets, or biscuits...
Or leave it that way up and fill it with unfelted bright merino strands and have it as a colourful ornament... or what about painting it with glass paints and riging up a light bulb on flat surface and using it as a lamp!!!
Oh I really love it!!!!!
Instead of glass paints, you could apply glass globs with UV glue on the underside and put a little revolving light inside to get a disco light.
Afterthought, Were you using kiln wash and if so, was it completely dry. There may have been some residual dampness in the bottom of the dots.
You could hang it, like a hanging basket, in your window and fill it will all sorts of beads and bits of glass... it'd look lovely when the sun shines through it :)
Hi,
You can get bubbles smaller one's with baking soda in between 2 pieces off glass (I have been told), I have not tryed this yet, I bought back from the states last year a product called bubble, thats a fine white powder.
On the other hand, how about painting with stained glass stains can it be painted from the inside, like the japaneese do? and putting a light underneath, ikea had a shelf a few years ago that lit up it would look good on that.
Good luck with uni and thanks for the hint of carving out plaster I am on city and guilds for kiln formed stained glass and working with lost wax at the moment. now off to carve hand shape out of casing plaster.
Dianne
I forgot to ask: What the's course you are doing?
A curious thing! What a shame you've poked a hole in it though. Can you re-use the mould again and try to recreate the effect? Did you wash the glass before the firing...maybe it was still a bit damp when it was placed on the block? I presume there was a tight seal around the edges of the glass and block, with some air trapped in the holes and the middle, which then expanded an amazing amount during firing.
Quote from: Pat from Canvey on March 12, 2009, 07:32:52 AM
Afterthought, Were you using kiln wash and if so, was it completely dry. There may have been some residual dampness in the bottom of the dots.
No, Pat, no kiln wash, they are plaster/flint blocks, so no wash required, and it was second firing of the block itself, the shelf hadn't been washed in the last couple of firings either.
The first piece of glass I fired on it had a raised bump too, which is why I wonder if it was someting on the glass, rather than the block, as I would have expected the result to lessen as it burnt off, not increase!
Quote from: Les on March 12, 2009, 07:33:42 AM
You could hang it, like a hanging basket, in your window and fill it will all sorts of beads and bits of glass... it'd look lovely when the sun shines through it :)
Lovely idea Les, unfortunately it has stretched so much that it was super thin at the peak of the bubble, so much so it flexed and broke (that was after a gentle poke, but it wouldnt' have taken any weight).
Quote from: Dizzy Di on March 12, 2009, 08:03:58 AM
Hi,
You can get bubbles smaller one's with baking soda in between 2 pieces off glass (I have been told), I have not tryed this yet, I bought back from the states last year a product called bubble, thats a fine white powder.
On the other hand, how about painting with stained glass stains can it be painted from the inside, like the japaneese do? and putting a light underneath, ikea had a shelf a few years ago that lit up it would look good on that.
Good luck with uni and thanks for the hint of carving out plaster I am on city and guilds for kiln formed stained glass and working with lost wax at the moment. now off to carve hand shape out of casing plaster.
Dianne
I've tried the bubbles with baking soda - somewhat unpredictable! But they tend to be lots of little bubbles.
You really should have half flint mixed in with your plaster Dianne, it certainly won't survive more than one firing - I haven't had a problem using a plaster block without flint in it, other than it being a crumbly mass after firing, I suppose that might depend on temp you take it to.
Quote from: theflyingbedstead on March 12, 2009, 09:33:59 AM
A curious thing! What a shame you've poked a hole in it though. Can you re-use the mould again and try to recreate the effect? Did you wash the glass before the firing...maybe it was still a bit damp when it was placed on the block? I presume there was a tight seal around the edges of the glass and block, with some air trapped in the holes and the middle, which then expanded an amazing amount during firing.
I am not sure if the mould will survive one more firing - but it was a dead easy design, it was simply a flat plaster block with a pointy proddy tool poked into the surface as dotted lines.
I am sure the glass was dry, and yes, my only conclusion is that it managed to seal to create such a bubble.
Quote from: Stacy on March 12, 2009, 08:30:12 AM
I forgot to ask: What the's course you are doing?
I am doing a BA (Hons) in Crafts - go on, ask me what that means...... (I told someone tonight at Tai Chi and she simply went "oh" as in "is that all, that's not a proper course" - she didn't say that , it was in her voice though!)
Quote from: Zeldazog on March 12, 2009, 08:36:09 PM
Quote from: Les on March 12, 2009, 07:33:42 AM
You could hang it, like a hanging basket, in your window and fill it will all sorts of beads and bits of glass... it'd look lovely when the sun shines through it :)
Lovely idea Les, unfortunately it has stretched so much that it was super thin at the peak of the bubble, so much so it flexed and broke (that was after a gentle poke, but it wouldnt' have taken any weight).
aww... shame
Our Uni used to run a degree course in applied crafts .... pretty heavily glass orientated.... I was gutted that by the time I was in a position to consider applying, the course had been abandoned in favour of yet more business courses :(
Quote from: Les on March 12, 2009, 09:14:05 PM
Our Uni used to run a degree course in applied crafts .... pretty heavily glass orientated.... I was gutted that by the time I was in a position to consider applying, the course had been abandoned in favour of yet more business courses :(
Ours is a dying course too - apparently we are one of the very few courses country possibly Europe wide with such a strong emphasis on sustainability and traditional methods.
But this year's first year intake was the last one - I think it's changing to Applied Arts, with more emphasis on computer based work, not sure.
Out Uni is also in favour of any course that doesn't actually cost much to run - you know, one that only requires rooms and lecturer and a computer projector - not one that needs equipment, space and technicians.
There isn't actually much emphasis on glass - I almost certainly know more than the tutors! But they do let me play :P
Historically, it was fab for Ceramics, but they're trying to squaeeze that out too - that will be another dying art in this country!