Thursday, May 19, 2011

WIP-Cutting Dichroic Cabs





Here's a slab of fused rainbow ripple dichroic glass. First I mark the shapes of the cabs (cabochons) that I wish to cut out.

Second I cover the metallic paint pen with this goop called "Mark Stay II" It's a heavy duty version and works much, much better than the original or rubbing the lines with a candle...First time I've used the new formula. It went on easily, didn't smear the lines and held up much better than the "old" options. The lines didn't wash, float or flake away-I didn't have to re-mark a single cab!


Before I started cutting using my Taurus III ring saw I decided to replace the blade which led to replacing the belt and a thorough cleaning of the water basin as I couldn't get the motor to sit properly back on/in it otherwise. In the picture is the saw, my safety glasses and the slab. The saw has a diamond coated cable for the blade. I can cut in any direction I wish on this-backwards, forwards or sideways.

The last picture shows the rough cut cabs ready for the next stage.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Dichro Fever







I realized something the other night...I have come down with a bad case of dichro fever! It is characterized by lack of sleep, anticipation and an intense desire to see the dichroic glass in all its fused glory! Not to mention a manic spell of cutting cabs.

Here are some rough pictures of the fused dichroic glass slabs that I have fused up in the past two days! The first three pictures are of the ones I shared in my last post. The last two are the others I've fused up since. And I have another lovely chunk of rainbow ripple cooking as I type!

When I make dichroic glass cabs I start by fusing up "slabs" of dichroic glass. Next I will mark the slabs for cutting. Then I rough cut them out on my Taurus III ring saw, grind them into shape and channel them on the glass grinder. Then they'll go back into the kiln at least once more.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Time For Some More Dichroic Art Glass Cabochons




Time for more dichroic glass fusing so I can make more dichroic art glass cabochons! The first shelf (upper left pic) is in the kiln fusing as I type. The other two are ready for their turn. I'll take the first one out and put in another before I head out to deliver papers. (1:30am) So hopefully I will have pictures of the fused slabs tomorrow!


In other news I took three trips to the dump on Saturday, disposing of the worn out couch (load 1), The ex's old full size mattress set (load 2) and 4 wooden glass shipping crates with gosh knows what junk inside (load 3). Sunday I cleaned up the front yard and my son mowed it!

Today my son and my ex moved his futon bed frame into his "new" room. Now my son and I just have to get stuff cleaned up and moved between the rooms. He has to clean, sort and move his stuff and I get to clean, sort and move the rest of "dad's" stuff.

I found a nice, clearance priced cover for the loveseat and put up a pair of new valances over the picture window in the living room (on sale of course). Trying to decide if I should get another pair for the little windows flanking the fireplace.