Kilns

I'm kiln shopping, or kiln researching might be closer to the truth.

I was set on a Jen Ken, with a digital controller and bead door, and then I read a thread on Wet Canvas about ceramic and porcelain beads. I had been admiring these beads a while back and thinking they might be an option for when it's just too cold to torch. I'd like to give them a go for sure.

That has made me second guess my kiln choice. There are some kilns out there that'll do glass and ceramic (ceramics need a higher firing temp than glass annealing). I've narrowed it down to two possibilities, a Paragon Caldera or Olympic kiln with bead door. The down side - neither of these two kilns are very big and they are both more expensive than the Jen Ken I'd been looking at. I heard from someone who's got a Paragon that they were not happy with after sales service - is this a one off? or are they just not good at looking after problems? I've read a lot of people are happy with their Paragon's so I'm not sure which way to go. I'll think on it for a while - if anyone has any experience or advice on any of these kilns I'd love to hear it!

Jen Ken, chamber is 11" wide by 4.5" high

Olympic 8" X 8" X 1o.5" with the bead collar

Paragon Caldera chamber 8" X 8" X 6 3/4" without bead collar

But I don't do flowers...!

We've had a mild spell which has meant it's been torching weather! I seem to be stuck on long beads at the minute, there's some challenge to making one that is longer than the last.

The beads I made with vines on them have led me to do a bit of experimenting and this bead is based on some fabric I had, that looked like it would be reasonably easy to copy.



and another angle to show the vine



This style is fun to do, but takes well over half an hour.

New Bead Store in Kemptville!

There's a new bead store open in Kemptville.



Well, not just a bead store because they are offering classes and get-togethers as well. Their website is here and they have upcoming classes in different jewellery techniques, silver clay and pottery! I went for a visit yesterday with my friend Jane and was quite excited to see that they carry silver findings, chains, bulk chain, beading threads, and all manner of beads - with prices suitable for someone starting out on a limited budget to higher valued items for those wanting to make quality jewellery. We timed our visit just right and met Jeannette the owner who was thrilled to see that I make glass beads. I have to go back next week to take some over for her to get a better look at. My beads may be for sale there in the near future!

First Get-Together of Ottawa Group!

Last Saturday was the first get-together of our Ottawa group of lampworkers! It was great to finally get to meet people and see what we are all up to.

Jen Muise very kindly invited us all over to her house for the evening. Ontario winter weather being what it is, the snow started coming down about half an hour before I was due to leave home, making me a little nervous about the whole thing as Jen is almost two hours from me. Thanks to Grace Edwards, I had only to go as far as Barrhaven (about half way), Grace has recently moved to the area, so I drove to her house and we went together in her car from there.

Here we all are -



From left to right -
Grace, myself, Jen, Lee-Anne, Paul, Lou and Valentina!

Lee-Anne and Paul I had met last fall at the Carp Farmer's Market, so it was a nice surprise to see them again, and to have more time to admire their beads, and their bead collection. It was wonderful to finally get to meet Valentina who I met 'virtually' on the Canadian Lampwork Forum, she came with Lou, who I know is a poet and suspect he does some other interesting things as well. Valentina brought some of her amazing Chain Maille, Oh my goodness!! It is sooo beautiful, I've no idea how she has the patience to put all those rings together. You can see Valentina's creations here .

Grace is the Lauscha Lady, she sells Lauscha Glass here in Canada, and has just started carrying Double Helix Glass as well, which is pretty exciting because that glass can do some amazing things. Grace's speciality are her wonderful floral beads , click the link to check them out. Jen began lampworking ten years ago, and it's hard to imagine what it must have been like back then, she said she started out on a plumber's torch! -- You've come a long way Jen!

I have the feeling this could be the start of something really good, just being able to get together with someone else who's as consumed about melting glass as I am is exciting! Hopefully next time our member's who weren't able to make this meeting will be able to come out to play too.

Jen gave us her Studio tour and kindly did a demo on making murrini - here are a few pictures of her making the number 5.




Shaping the glass and filling in around the surrounding areas.



Getting the murrini into a nice barrel shape for pulling



Puuulllinnngggg.



Voila! The number five!

And here's one of Valentina and I :o)

1000 Glass Beads

I just got my belated Christmas present the 1000 Glass Beads book and I'm blown away by the beads in there!  Can't wait to get out to the torch, it is so inspiring, how some of these beadmakers create such beautiful works of art is beyond me.

I'm counting all my savings and thinking that I'm close to having what I need to get a kiln!!  ...or a torch and oxycon..!!!  Everyone I talk to says Kiln first!  Which makes sense, I am self sufficient then and I am in control of my own annealing.  It makes sense.  Then I think about my problem with the cold, and how I can't torch for days or weeks on end when it's too cold, and a voice whispers in my ear that if I had a propane/oxy torch that wouldn't be so much of an issue as it is with my hothead.  And that little voice sings to me ...booorrrrrrroooo....  and I have to figure out if I am going to be strong or weak!  No matter 2008 is the year of the Kiln AND the propane/oxy torch - one way or another!