I have been playing around with some ideas where I could use my glass beads, and this is what I came up with. My stunning boyfriend helped me with the ceramic part of the project. I hope that I can evolve this idea into something new for 2009.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A wild garden
About a week ago we suddenly noticed that we had a set of new tenants on the property. The bird is known as a Kiewiet, and is a ground nesting bird; with an almost invisible nest. The parents is very protective and hisses at us when we dare to get to close to them!Earlier this morning I had to cancel our garden se
rvices, because we do not want these beauties to leave our garden.
rvices, because we do not want these beauties to leave our garden.Monday, November 24, 2008
Up the mountain ...
I have not done a lot of hiking for years, but recently I got a pair of hiking boots for my birthday, so when the lovey told me that he was meeting some friends on Table mountain on Sunday, and did I want to come with (since I had the new boots) I could hardly say no, now could I?
So with a lot of fear (I really hate heights) I dressed accordingly, used about a litre of sunblock and donned a hat. We got a whole picnic thing together (lots of German sausage, cheese and rolls) to enjoy at the top.
Leo is a marathon runner. So after the first 100 meters I told him to meet me at the top, I could not keep up with him. OK, I was panting and sounded as if I was in dire need of a macho rescue guy who could carry me down the bit that I had walked. I could see in Leo's eyes that he thought that I would bail out. It was a wonderful sunny day, with the slightest hint of a breeze, making it all very comfortable (if you exclude the half a meter steps that you had to take ...).
I took lots of pictures - my handy excuse for a rest. After the first hour I got a bit better and started to focus on a rock or outcrop just ahead of me. Diana, if you can make it to there, you are allowed a break of one minute. And that was what I did. Just a few more steps, remember the look in Leo's eyes? Show him that you are not a moaner and a giver-upper.
The new boots really helped a lot. My ankles never wavered, and I could walk/climb/heave myself up the next rock. At last I was in the shade of the gorge. Water was dripping of the overhanging cliffs, and some Chinese tourists refilled my water bottle with some fresh mountain water.
About 200 meters from the top Leo rescued me with a welcoming bottle of Icy cold Savanna. It tasted like nectar from the Gods. Suddenly I had more energy and could keep up with him. His friends were already at the picnic spot, having a good party going. Leo was proud of me. I was even prouder of myself. Wanting to do something, and actually doing it is 2 entirely different things. I have climbed my mountain.
Throughout these pictures, I have tried to include a ribbon of tarred road. That was our starting point. In some of them you could see teeny tiny cars parked. I do not know how high the mountain is, but my body told me today that it was VERY high!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Ring tutorial
I have promised a tutorial, and here it is, finally!
Prepare your mandrels as per usual manner. If it is a new set of mandrels, you will need to give it a good glow in the flame, and then a water bath. Then I normally use a fine sand paper, and give it a light sanding to create a 'key' for the bead release to adhere to. All these mandrels were freshly dipped, and the bead release is still wet. (Not that it matters, I use a flame dry release, so no problems!)
Take your ring mandrel, and put it in the centre of the flame. (It is OK, I have been doing this for the last 6 months, and never had a ring mandrel burn through!) You want to heat that mama till she glows pink in the flame. If she is not hot enough, she will loose temperature too quickly, and your glass will pop off as you attempt to lay it on. Really, let her get cross!
Now add your spirals of glass around the centre of the mandrel. I do it very slowly, working a lot of times with my mandrel in the flame, and just taking my time; turn the baby while I control the thickness of glass that I add. Note how my start and finish is graded. Even so I might still have a bumpiness. Oh and do not correct any wonkiness yet ...
Melt that in. When I add glass to the ring mandrel, I normally do not have an even coiled rope look between the glass and the mandrel, but more of a pushing technique, which cause some of the glass footprint to be a bit wider than the rest. that is OK. Now I will get rid of that uneven footprint. I heat the glass well, making sure that I turn the mandrel the whole time. I also focus direct flame on the glass from an angle where it meets the mandrel.
When you have one fat circle and a nice and even footprint, let you bead cool a bit, and the look at it from all angles. This is also the time that you will correct the meandering ring . Use your marver and nudge the glass a bit left and right to make sure it is straight. Is there an area that needs more glass? Oh goodness, yes.
Add extra glass as needed. And then melt it in, of course!
You now have a basic ring shape, and you can leave it as it, change it, what ever! At this stage, it would be a bit uncomfortable to wear, so I suggest to flatten it a bit. Do not roll the glass on you mandrel. (OK, if you want to, do it; but believe me, I had quite a few that separated from the bead release when I tried it in this step ...) Rather use your marver, and press gently on the glass, and while you turn the mandrel, gently pat it a bit flatter. When you have spread your footprint a bit, you can roll the glass on the marver.
Spread the glass till you have the width/thickness that you want. Correct a wonky edge and decorate, etc.
When you are happy with your bead, pop it into the kiln, but be careful! that mandrel is till very hot, and will transfer the heat to the glass, making it soft for a bit longer. I normally twirl the mandrel in my kiln, let it rest on the edge of my beautiful kiln door (grin) for about a minute before I lay it on the kiln floor. If not, I will have added kiln floor decorations to my glass ring!
And this is it!
Disclaimer: This is a method that I have figured out for myself. I am sure that other's might do it in this manner, or completely different! When I make a glass ring, I try and have a glass thickness of at least 1,5 mm or more. This will create a stronger ring that will last longer.
When wearing a glass ring, I have 2 rules. Do not hit an inert object (husband, dog, wall, table) while wearing the ring. I suggest removing it, hit said object, and return ring after frustration was vented. Secondly, remove a glass ring from you finger when you work in soapy water. The beauty WILL turn into a flying missile if not removed! Place back on finger once hands are dry.
Prepare your mandrels as per usual manner. If it is a new set of mandrels, you will need to give it a good glow in the flame, and then a water bath. Then I normally use a fine sand paper, and give it a light sanding to create a 'key' for the bead release to adhere to. All these mandrels were freshly dipped, and the bead release is still wet. (Not that it matters, I use a flame dry release, so no problems!)
Take your ring mandrel, and put it in the centre of the flame. (It is OK, I have been doing this for the last 6 months, and never had a ring mandrel burn through!) You want to heat that mama till she glows pink in the flame. If she is not hot enough, she will loose temperature too quickly, and your glass will pop off as you attempt to lay it on. Really, let her get cross!
Now add your spirals of glass around the centre of the mandrel. I do it very slowly, working a lot of times with my mandrel in the flame, and just taking my time; turn the baby while I control the thickness of glass that I add. Note how my start and finish is graded. Even so I might still have a bumpiness. Oh and do not correct any wonkiness yet ...
Melt that in. When I add glass to the ring mandrel, I normally do not have an even coiled rope look between the glass and the mandrel, but more of a pushing technique, which cause some of the glass footprint to be a bit wider than the rest. that is OK. Now I will get rid of that uneven footprint. I heat the glass well, making sure that I turn the mandrel the whole time. I also focus direct flame on the glass from an angle where it meets the mandrel.
When you have one fat circle and a nice and even footprint, let you bead cool a bit, and the look at it from all angles. This is also the time that you will correct the meandering ring . Use your marver and nudge the glass a bit left and right to make sure it is straight. Is there an area that needs more glass? Oh goodness, yes.
Add extra glass as needed. And then melt it in, of course!
You now have a basic ring shape, and you can leave it as it, change it, what ever! At this stage, it would be a bit uncomfortable to wear, so I suggest to flatten it a bit. Do not roll the glass on you mandrel. (OK, if you want to, do it; but believe me, I had quite a few that separated from the bead release when I tried it in this step ...) Rather use your marver, and press gently on the glass, and while you turn the mandrel, gently pat it a bit flatter. When you have spread your footprint a bit, you can roll the glass on the marver.
Spread the glass till you have the width/thickness that you want. Correct a wonky edge and decorate, etc.
When you are happy with your bead, pop it into the kiln, but be careful! that mandrel is till very hot, and will transfer the heat to the glass, making it soft for a bit longer. I normally twirl the mandrel in my kiln, let it rest on the edge of my beautiful kiln door (grin) for about a minute before I lay it on the kiln floor. If not, I will have added kiln floor decorations to my glass ring!
And this is it!
Disclaimer: This is a method that I have figured out for myself. I am sure that other's might do it in this manner, or completely different! When I make a glass ring, I try and have a glass thickness of at least 1,5 mm or more. This will create a stronger ring that will last longer.
When wearing a glass ring, I have 2 rules. Do not hit an inert object (husband, dog, wall, table) while wearing the ring. I suggest removing it, hit said object, and return ring after frustration was vented. Secondly, remove a glass ring from you finger when you work in soapy water. The beauty WILL turn into a flying missile if not removed! Place back on finger once hands are dry.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
the men in my life
After working just plain too many hours for the last couple of days as a nurse I had enough, and cancelled my second shift for the day (I guess working from eight in the morning till 5 is enough) that was due to start at 7 pm till midnight, and opted to go and visit Leo last night.
After a brief catnap I arrived at his house at 9, and found him still busy in his studio. I got a serious fun toy at the Convention centre and for a while we played catch in the night garden with the lighted bouncy ball. It is small interactions like this which really keeps us close. Just doing silly fun things because we can. Afterwards I helped him cast moulds (my very senior job is to fettle the edges and sometimes the boss will allow me to use the compressor to release a plaster mould) till about 11 pm. I had found some lovely vintage music at a discounted price over the weekend, and Smokey were filling the air while we worked, watched by the shop supervisor, Thomas.
Thomas has been living with Leo for the last 5 months, and the 2 men really get along fine. Leo grumbles occasionally about the damn cat, while stroking his tummy. Tommy is a man's man and love to sit in Leo's studio, just keeping him company.
After a brief catnap I arrived at his house at 9, and found him still busy in his studio. I got a serious fun toy at the Convention centre and for a while we played catch in the night garden with the lighted bouncy ball. It is small interactions like this which really keeps us close. Just doing silly fun things because we can. Afterwards I helped him cast moulds (my very senior job is to fettle the edges and sometimes the boss will allow me to use the compressor to release a plaster mould) till about 11 pm. I had found some lovely vintage music at a discounted price over the weekend, and Smokey were filling the air while we worked, watched by the shop supervisor, Thomas.
Thomas has been living with Leo for the last 5 months, and the 2 men really get along fine. Leo grumbles occasionally about the damn cat, while stroking his tummy. Tommy is a man's man and love to sit in Leo's studio, just keeping him company.
Monday, November 17, 2008
A busy few days
I have promised to make a tutorial on how I make glass rings. The good news is that I have taken the pictures, bad news is that I have been unable to compile the tutorial yet ... I have been working shifts back to back for the last few days, and in between I have to make more pieces for an up and coming exhibition this weekend.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Wonderful oppertunities
I had a late start this morning - only got up after 9:00 and it took me some time to wake up fully. Coffee helped a lot!
I had a meeting with Ingrid at the Old Biscuit mill (http://dostuffct.com/node/59/edit) to discuss our upcoming exhibition running from the 22 November till 6 December. The shop is a hot and stained glass gallery, and I am so excited about it all! On Saturday's the place is really abuzz with trendy people shopping at the Neighbourhood market on the premises, and I plan on distributing leaflets at the gates to gain more feet to the gallery.
After that we quickly went into the city centre where we met the very gentle and beautiful owner of The Cape Gallery (www.capegallery.co.za) who will be hosting us from the 7th of December till the 10th of January 2009. Are we already there? Gosh, the times really flies! We will be co-exhibiting with a painter, and I am REALLY looking forward to it. both owners loved my work, and is happy to host us!
I will be at the Old Biscuit Mill on Saturday's to help and answer questions. Something I really hate. I do not mind talking about the process and techniques, but when people start looking at my work I just want to crawl into a hole! I also have to get around the whole pricing thing. I know that I totally under price myself, and that is most probably due to a host of compounding factors.
Anyway, I had my 'feel good' time, now it is time to to grind and go and work that torch!
Have a good day!
Diana
I had a meeting with Ingrid at the Old Biscuit mill (http://dostuffct.com/node/59/edit) to discuss our upcoming exhibition running from the 22 November till 6 December. The shop is a hot and stained glass gallery, and I am so excited about it all! On Saturday's the place is really abuzz with trendy people shopping at the Neighbourhood market on the premises, and I plan on distributing leaflets at the gates to gain more feet to the gallery.
After that we quickly went into the city centre where we met the very gentle and beautiful owner of The Cape Gallery (www.capegallery.co.za) who will be hosting us from the 7th of December till the 10th of January 2009. Are we already there? Gosh, the times really flies! We will be co-exhibiting with a painter, and I am REALLY looking forward to it. both owners loved my work, and is happy to host us!
I will be at the Old Biscuit Mill on Saturday's to help and answer questions. Something I really hate. I do not mind talking about the process and techniques, but when people start looking at my work I just want to crawl into a hole! I also have to get around the whole pricing thing. I know that I totally under price myself, and that is most probably due to a host of compounding factors.
Anyway, I had my 'feel good' time, now it is time to to grind and go and work that torch!
Have a good day!
Diana
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