My First Fused Pieces

[Amber]

Picked up my pieces from the shop yesterday and I really like them for a first time effort! I can see in one area of the bowl where the glass pinched in because of the different depths of glass, how could I keep that from happening again? Anyways, critique away please! I want to do this again and learn more and more about the fusing process, so don't be nice, I figure the photos won't tell the whole story but any tips on smooth finishes and preventing pinch marks would be appreciated!
The shop owner and his daughter may be coming by this site too!! They had a class in Halifax where they learned to fuse but the teacher of that class didn't talk to them much about the fusing process, hence why the I didn't learn about the process *L, so I mentioned this as a place to bounce info and ideas around *smiles*. I really think they'll come by because they seemed eager to talk to others about fusing!

Anyways, here's my stuff

[Becki]

Good job, Amber!  And you picked Spirit glass....my favorite!

[Kev]

Amber...these rock girl! Great job....admit it...your hooked....and another one crosses over to the hot side...lol

[Amber]

Amber...these rock girl! Great job....admit it...your hooked....and another one crosses over to the hot side...lol

Just what I need, another addiction *lol!! I think I'll be putting my pennies aside, in the meantime the shop across the river will see me often *lol.

[Becki]

Amber...these rock girl! Great job....admit it...your hooked....and another one crosses over to the hot side...lol

MUHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[Kev]

It gets more and more addictive. Just when you think your safe...another method of working with glass pops up. It's a conspiracy to keep us poor...LOL

[AglassAct]

Those are really nice and vibrant!

[Becki]

Amber, you mentioned the little pinch in the bowl...were your stripes laid on top or between the two colors?

[Amber]

I started with a clear solid base then on top of that I laid the blue glass -space- noodles- space- green glass. So the stripes were between the colored glass and on top of clear glass. I think I typed that right *lol.

edit to add: it's hard to see in the photo but the noodles are  bit more spread apart and you see through the bowl in little stripes, it was a neat effect I was going for. I'll take a pic with it up to the light to show you *smiles*.

[Becki]

I've lost the pic!  Were the noodles laid flat or on their side?  If they were laid flat it's probably just a bit of a volume issue causing the noodles to pull in a bit.  It can be resolved before slumping by grinding your edges til they're even, cleaning the ground edges really well then fire polishing before slumping.

[Amber]

The big ones were laid flat, I see what you mean about pulling in! What is fire polishing?

[Barbara]

Amber I really like these-- Barbara

[Becki]

You may have avoided this also by not leaving the spaces between your noodles or by putting clear noodles where you left the spaces.

When you grind your glass it leaves a flatter, matte look to your edges.  These need to be cleaned really well (can't stress that enough!) because it can cause hazing or devit if you don't!  Then you put the flat piece back in the kiln and take it to around 1350 or 1375 to smooth and round the edges again.  

[Anne]

Amber, these are so nice.  I look at these and think back to what my first pieces were - wow, no comparison! Good for you.

[Audrey]

I know nothing about the process of creating these, but they look super to me. If this is just your first attempt, I can't wait to see what you do after several pieces.

[ct4mom]

Amber, These are lovely and your so lucky to have a place to experiment.

[Linde]

Very nicely done, Amber. You are soooooo hooked. 

[PiscesGlass]

I think that they are beautiful!  Love the glass you used in them. 

And isn't it wonderful the great feedback you get here from people in the "know" about kilnwork!  This place is just the BEST.

You go girl!  I'm sure that the shop across the river is going to enjoy having you stop in..and they may learn something in the process! 

GREAT JOB!  De

[The glass divas]

Nice job and if these are your first pieces can't wait to see what comes next!!!

[JoanFrances]

Just love you're pieces, very pretty.  You did a great job Amber.  I really like all of them. 

[Amber]

Thanks folks *smiles*!! I keep meaning to try more but it's hard to get the time, kwim? One day, one day, I'll have a kiln of my very own *lol.

[meaco]

I think they look great!  I've never fused before so cannot offer any feedback other than they look purdy!    I have always loved the draped candle holders.  Hopefully in the next few years I will get my kiln.  I'm saving up for a bigger one.  I'm really excited because they make one that fires glass and pottery, so I will only have to get one.  :)