Glass hearts

So, some of the glass cast hearts are out of the kiln now, and a comment from Rosie (thanks Rosie!) made me realize that I hadn't taken photos, so I did so right away. Otherwise they would be sold, and I wouldn't have a record.

The first batch came out well - but not excellent. I have a pretty good idea why: I cast RTV 'positives' out of the plaster negatives, so when I went to kiln wash the molds (to stop the glass from sticking) there was a residue in the mold, and the kiln wash wasn't keen to adhere to the plaster. Tomorrow I will make more plasters - to cast more, and these should be nice and clean.

The effect on the glass is that is is not as crystal clear as I would like it, so we'll see what the next batch looks like.

On friday and saturday I got to blow some glass, so next time I'll show you what I made.

Making hearts 2

The hearts are progressing. Today I started to cast resin into the RTV molds I cast yesterday. Quite amazing really, how many processes are involved before you actually get the item you are trying to make - I'm only realizing this as I document it here!

I took a couple pictures with my Iphone, so here they are. Some of them are positives, and some are negatives - thats because some are destined for glass, and some for painted resin.

Next time, hopefully, it will be the finished product.

Meanwhile, I've gone a bit Poly clay crazy. I find myself with a little ball of it in my hands, if I have a spare moment, and out pops a bird or a flower, as if by magic - quite addictive!

Making hearts

Happy new year!

Work is currently quiet, after finishing several projects before Christmas. So I am currently thinking ahead - just a little - to Valentines. I decided I would like to cast some glass hearts, so set about making 'positives' as usual. This time, I thought I'd try a different clay, and got some poly clay. I have to say, I already like working with it. It's far less messy than regular clay, and doesn't dry out, which is so useful.

My husband saw some lying around, and asked why I felt the need to turn them into glass, when they are interesting enough by themselves. My answer wasn't a very good one - I said it's because I work in glass, and thats how I think. But it did get my thinking, and I have decided to make a few poly clay ones, and even cast some resin hearts too. It's certainly far less work than making glass ones, and I'm enjoying the level of detail I can create, without worrying it will be lost in translation to glass.

I will, of course, still make some glass ones to. But it will be interesting to see how they all turn out, and what response I get to them.

The pictures: The painted heart with ribbon and bead is for a friends birthday this weekend, and is kind of a first attempt.

The other two pictures show un-painted poly clay hearts, that I will try and cast resin (having made latex molds first) I will post them again after they are painted.

It's all a bit of an experiment, but very enjoyable, and so easy! I fired the clay in my little oven at home in 30 minutes! So it will be interesting to see how it all works out.

If the resin casts work out, I'll probably try and sell some, if anyone is interested!!

Will try and post more working pictures as I go along.