Pot Melt Experiment and other kiln projects

There are no mistakes when fusing glass.  Ron's most popular dishes are made up of pendants, bracelets, rings, etc. that somehow did not turn out as expected.  So the Pot Melt sounded like an amazing way to utilize not only mistakes but every bit of scrap glass.

The scraps are placed in a clay pot with holes, which is then suspended over a saucer.  This will catch the melted glass as it flows through.

The result was not exactly as planned.  Next time, bigger holes, and a stainless steel bowl.

Now, we will somehow recycle the "recycled" glass

Lots of activity getting ready for the first market in May - the 100 Mile Farmers Market

Pressed flowers on handmade paper - cards and bookmarks

Three dimensional dichroic pendants

brooches

mood pendants and rings

Having fun experimenting with a new display

Less than perfect brooches are used in the design of these soap dishes

Making Paper

Making paper is messy and time consuming - but I love it.  Years ago, I saw a paper making recipe in a recycling newsletter and I was hooked.  The recipe has evolved over the years, but the process remains simple.

I mix cut up cotton linter and corn starch with water in the blender, add plant material and then shredded scrap paper.  The blender is run at high speed with each addition

The pulp is added in small increments to a large tub of water. At this point, other cut up materials can be added, such as wool, plant material, etc......  Deckles are pushed into the tub and brought to the surface with a layer of pulp.  Excess water drains back into the tub, the deckle is covered with a cloth and turned onto the counter.  I use a sponge to remove moisture through the screen, lift up the screen and lay the cloth onto a board.  The cloth is ironed and left on the board to dry.