Fusing Cut Slab Pieces

Got the kilns ready for fusing

I have two of the AIM kilns  (6x6) and one of the Sundance Kilns (9x9)

After firing

After I finished firing the two AIM kilns I decided to fire the last kiln  so three batches tonight
I'll continue till the weekend and pull out the bigger kiln and get more done faster.

Pay Pal - Here - take credit cards with your iPhone

already have the app - just waiting for them to release in Canada  - there is an app for another  one already but I like the pay pal version
goes directly to your pay pal account

this is so cool for shows or just the small business - you have to pay % but you have to do that anyway and paypal is giving the little plug in free 

QR Barcode -

If you have an iPhone then you know you can get an QR scanning app
You can make your own QR barcode - ( http://qrcode.kaywa.com/  )  and plunk it anywhere
here is one for my blog - but it can be an address, text, url, sms

Using my iPhone it scans and says  http://deborahreadcom.blogspot.com

how way cool - now I just have to figure out where to use it - on my business cards, my web ?  

cool toy .

Cutting Fused Glass Slabs

The next step in making my dichroic fused glass is to cut up all the slabs that I have been making

So I had to find my slab cutter (I have two - a 6" and a 4" - I like using the 6", larger cutting surface )
I am trying out my new blades today the pro slicer and the gorilla blade
The pro slicer is thinner and I found too flexible where the gorilla blade gave me a nice straight cut when I need it .

Site for Slab Saw : http://www.hitechdiamond.com/home.php?cat=1

Normally I set it outside on my picnic bench, dresss in a garbage bag and put on my safety glasses and hunch over and spend a few hours cutting.

Saturday I installed my new counter and laundry tub sink  and hooked up the water 

Note - I hooked up the cold water tap  and then found that if you open the hot water tap  it will flow out that tap underneath and I did not have any hose on it  and it ran out onto the floor  (evidently can run through both taps) unless you hook that up too.   So I have to connect the hot water tap (put a hose on and connect to the water for now - but at least I have a sink with a drain and cold water -  if sunny I have hot water  LOL but looking at those mini tankless on demand water heaters.  

Because the sink is   installed I wanted to put the saw in the sink (just fits)so that the water can run down the drain.

I used one of the splash guards from one of my grinders which worked extremely well to keep the water from the blade within the sink area 

not only that I could sit and cut which made it much easier 

Site for Blades; http://www.facetingaccessories.com/diamonddblades.shtml

I installed the pro slicer blade first to try out .  Always nice to have a fresh blade for cutting.

The blade on and the well filled with water about 1/4 up the blade 

The cover back on and the blade is through the table top and the arm  that keeps the water forced down over the blade is put down .  I turn on to test before cutting to make sure the blade runs freely 

I start to cut 

Once cut I pile into a box 

They look milky - its the water and grindings  

Leftover pieces that I will refuse later 

washed and dried ready to be put into the kiln for the final fusing 

I found I liked the gorilla blade - the Pro was good but too flexible - the Gorilla blade held straight for the straight cuts  and  in this batch I wanted to make longer pieces.

Fingers are all sore and rough from pushing glass edges I should use some sort of protection but I like to feel the glass when I'm using the saw.  More control

Earring Card Punches

I picked these up at BeadFX when I was at my Hadar Jacobson Class 

I had seen them in magazines and they are great 

I got some great business cards made and I can use them with these 

These are not my cards - they are sample cards you get with the punches 

a nice pic from on line 

Water to the Studio

I always have to go down to the house to wash brushes, get water for cleaning etc.. so last weekend I picked up a sink and tonight I stood in Home Depot trying to find fittings so I can attach  the hose to the taps that I installed on the sink  - after many package openings and putting them together I had all my parts and when I got home tonight I put them all together - so on the weekend I get to cut the hole for the hose to come in (although I may stop at Home Depot again and get some sort of hard fitting I can put through the wall ) and also cut the hole for the drain pipe  that just needs to empty outside. So as long as its not freezing out I'll have water

I have to build a counter this weekend as well so I can fit my fridge under and have an area for my kettle and microwave (all I'll need is a couch to sleep on - LOL)

New Copper Bracelet Blanks

Picked up my new batch of copper some 1" x 6"   and a new size  1/2" x 6"

The smaller one I want for either etching or stamping letters and riveting.   When they cut its sort of warped so I'll have to straighten out - Its soft so its easy to do - when I get to it I'll take some pics