artist gallery : jo's things

Jo's Things's Profile


Bio

I have been fusing glass for four years. It all started with a broken anniversary plate that we got from my Mother in law's estate. I went to the stained glass store to get some glass to do a mosaic with the plate, let them talk me into trying a stained glass piece and then I tried fused glass. Here I am four years later and fusing is still my passion, I do still dabble in other art forms, but everything comes back to glass, be it painting or stamping or covering with ploymer clay!
Recent Activity
Fancy Coaster Holder

Fancy Coaster Holder

Item# 97309
, April 12, 2020 1 stars
Pros
Cons
Fuseworks Microwave Fusing Start-Up Kit - 90 COE

Fuseworks Microwave Fusing Start-Up Kit - 90 COE

Item# 424848
11 of 13 found the following review helpful:
Microwave Kiln, December 1, 2011 4 stars
Pros
I have been a fuser for ten years and swore I would never use a microwave kiln. I needed to learn how to use one for a class I was going to teach, the students from my current class helped me play and we all love it. As long as you pay attention to the heat and don't overload it it is a great little starter kiln.
Cons
The instructions need a lot of help. But I am going to play around and see what I can come up with.
Other Thoughts
This is a great way to see if the fusing bug really has a hold on you. It is fast and gives instant gratification, but like anything you need to practice. I think that most people who buy this to fuse glass will move up to a real kiln.
bosslady_j comment on System 96 - Common Questions and Answers
September 13, 2011

I stopped using kiln wash on the majority of my plate molds and use fiber paper instead,as delphiehellper said it makes things slide off easier and the backs are smother. jo

bosslady_j comment on Glass Fusing
September 7, 2011

When making cabs I use a 6x6 inch base glass and add my dichroic and top glass, I do a tack fuse with the dichroic and then a full fuse and then a full fuse with the clear topper and sometimes I still get craters. When this happens I clean the crater as much as possible and add the ends of my cab sheets that are too small to use or large pieces of scrap glass, I do a tack fuse add more glass as needed and then a full fuse, if possible I also do the full fuse with the top (clear) side down, any air that is left seems to rise to the back and not the front. Vitek, I had the same problem I watched a beautiful and thick plate crack and fall apart. I put all the pieces into boiling water and then froze then, after thawing the pieces back out I put everything in the tumbler for a couple of hours and out into the garden. It looked pretty and really added some umph to a dark area.

bosslady_j comment on Glass Fusing
September 7, 2011

@TheDelphian A couple of years ago when I was getting ready for a show my kiln got sick would only heat up to a tack fuse, it did make some really nice pendants that ended up being a big seller but also taught me something, when I am using frit in jewelry molds I use the biggest pieces possible and I take the glass to a take fuse first, add more frit and take to a second take fuse and then to a full fuse. This really cuts down on any bubbles or hazing in the glass.

18 Wide - 4 Mil White Vinyl Sandblast Resist

18" Wide - 4 Mil White Vinyl Sandblast Resist

Item# 5535
2 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Wonderful Resist, August 14, 2009 5 stars
Pros
After using stencils for glass etching that I bought in the store this is wonderful, thick enough to maneuver and manipulate yest light enough to easily cut. I have used the same stencils multiple times.
Cons
None!
Other Thoughts
Have a colored surface to place the stencils on after use, makes them easier to see.
Jo's Things
Jo's Things
Profile
Jo's Things's info
joined:Feb 18, 2006
location:Ashburn, Va US
display name:bosslady_j