Education needed to teach reinforcment

[Kev]

Amber....point those 6 people in this direction so that they may find  better non biased information.

[Amber]

Yuppers Becki, although it was a bit more of a have fun and design something and we'll worry about the hot stuff kinda group *lol. He was very open with saying he's new to using the kiln and he'll be learning just as much as we are, so there was no pretense to what we were learning being 100% bang on and I was o.k. with that since he was very open about it and I just really wanted to try fused glass *LOL. And funny enough Kev, it was as he was talking about working only for a couple months yet I mentioned this forum since it has members who have experience with warm glass and it's a great place to toss ideas around! Although I don't think they'll be coming by *lol. I do wish I had a chance to learn more about the act of fusing, how it works and maybe even be there for a the first bit of the kiln time but from what he said it takes hours and hours and that we shouldn't worry about it. :(. At the end of the week  I'll have 3 items to pick up so that's the best part and hopefully I can do it again!
On a side note, I actually had someone copy me in the class  , not to say my item was all that great and origional in concept, you all see how I like lines and trendy simple things *lol. But from doing the exact same layout, alot of the same colors, on the same mold.... umm yeah. She added a strip of beads in one spot to make it a bit different, but everything else was the spitting image of mine and she's supposed to be the creative jewellery designer! Even if she had shifted a few glass pieces over to the center of it would have a helped a bit, but come on! To do the same thing as someone else when your supposed to be an artist and be preparing for your shows..... umm yeah.

[Becki]

Yes, at least he was honest but I've got to worry about someone new to the kiln firing student pieces...or even having students!  It makes me crazy!

[Vic Rothman]

It's the blind leading the blind

[Vic Rothman]

Thanks everyone for the great responses! I have to say I feel reassured and it's a shame that I definitely don't have an avenue for learning leaded glass through him. He was very passionate in his discussion against any weakness in his way with foil glass work! It's also a shame that 6 other people were there and will now believe what he says, we had just finished a glass fusion class when I mentioned the subject of leaded class, not the first time *lol, and he was curious why I was so eager for it and went on with basically a bunch of malarky against the idea. So now he's convinced 6 others that foil glass work is strong and any adaptation through design altering or restrip is silly and usless and has no added benifit. Also that anyone interested inlead is wasting money, since the extra materials cost more, and wasting time to create something that is weaker.

A leaded window should cost about the same as a foil window for the materials. You need lead and putty for a leaded windows. But you don't need foil and you use a lot less solder.
To be clear, foiled windows are "stronger" than lead. But strength is NOT always the best thing. And the design and craftsmanship are also important in making a window that will last

[Amber]

It's the blind leading the blind

At least I don't have any misconceptions from him on fused glass, we didn't really learn anything about the process it was of a craft hour *lol. I'll be sure to come here for advise on fusing though, I don't think he was very sure himself of the process after his weekend tutorial in Halifax. He kept the information part pretty simple and just had us focus on laying out our pieces........





Question though, is it common to use hairspray to tack things together before they go in the kiln?

[Becki]

At least you were aware of his inexperience and had a good time but attempting to teach after a weekend tutorial??  Good grief!

I don't use adhesives very often but when I do, as strange as it may sound, I use cheap hairspray!  It works great and burns off clean.  Always use any adhesive in moderation...tiny bits go a long way!

[JoanFrances]

Vic, thanks for the LaFarge info.  It has really gotten me even more interested in the history.  Was up late into the night reading.  Found the site below about a gentlemen that had gotten a grant to research LaFarge.  It will be seeking out other info too, I find this very interesting


http://www.jlsloan.com/lafarge.htm

[Judy K]

I wish I could buy more memory brain cells like one can computer space. Thanks

[Vic Rothman]

Vic, thanks for the LaFarge info.  It has really gotten me even more interested in the history.  Was up late into the night reading.  Found the site below about a gentlemen that had gotten a grant to research LaFarge.  It will be seeking out other info too, I find this very interesting


http://www.jlsloan.com/lafarge.htm

I don't think Julie would like being called a gentleman

[TodB]

Maybe the "gentleman" was McKernan or Saterlee? - T

[Graham]

Maybe the "gentleman" was McKernan or Saterlee? - T

An' nobody doesn't like Saterlee!

[Vic Rothman]

"Maybe the "gentleman" was McKernan or Saterlee? - T"

NOPE.  They are long dead and never had anything to do with stained glass or Julie's company. I think it's the name of her grandparents. Nice try Tod