Fusing With Texture

The System 96 line has so many different textures (mostly in clear). But why the texture choices?  If you fuse with this glass wouldn't the texture just melt out smooth? 
Well yes..
And no...
You are correct to assume that if you fire a piece of say Clear Cord, or Clear Krinkle that it will melt totally clear if you do so with the texture facing up. 
But...
... fire that glass with the texture down and that's a different matter. You see that Cord or Granite or Radium texture will smooth right out, but the memory of that texture will remain (see pics below) giving your work an interesting added visual look. 

Now, because of this texture, we do have to recognize the fact that bubbles might be trapped. In the sample below it's a nice added effect which we don't mind. If not, a bubble squeeze is necessary, and might not always be 100% successful. 
Now, use two reeded textured glasses and fuse them texture to texture at a right angle to each other and you'll get a perfectly uniform grid of bubbles which can look very nice.

Or like the plate below, fill the crevasses of the texture with powders and fire them and this is what you get.

So, remember, textures do have a purpose.

Playing in the Kiln

Testing out some of the new molds that just came in, here's some pics of some work in various stages of completion...

Just a Reminder

We Have the Most Talented Customers!

Another panel from Bernie L. and a great one it is. Picasso's Three Musicians (circa 1921)(Bernie's version circa 2013). Glass and copper foil. Painted detail with Pebeo Vitrea 160 and a hair comb...

It's In!

Our large Slumpy order of frits, powders, decals, molds and some surprises is now in and on the floor. See back a couple of entries for the packing slip to see what's in.

(displayed somewhat competently by Vanna Opal)

Kokomo Glass

You've heard us rave about one of our favourite lines of machine rolled glass- Kokomo- for a long time now. How their colours are the most unique, the colour mix is not unlike an art glass, how it's the best cutting glass on the market, and even how it's a glass used by Louis Tiffany Himself. They've been around for about 150 years which will be evident from watching this (sadly) not very good video. The highlight of their production to me is being able to see how they mix and manufacture a full sheet of their glass- something that you get to see only a glimpse of at the 23 second mark for about 45 seconds.
See it and judge for yourself here-

Another Blog

Tripped across this blog with some tips awhile ago and thought it might be helpful...

A Great Idea From Surprise, Surprise- Sandy

Using metals such as silver or copper as an inclusion is a great way to liven things up as you can see from the picture here. Metals react differently under heat and the colour changes can be very dramatic at times. 
Sandy took it up a notch here by not only using copper washers as inclusions but sticking out at the top to act as a jewelry bail!

Packing Slip Posting

As is the tradition at FIG, here's the list of supplies we have coming in next week. You'll find molds, frits and powders, stringers, vitrographs, decals and some other stuff. 
Wondering if a particular Slumpy mold you might be interested in is on the order? Just pick one from here and see if it shows up on our packing slip below (pics below are expandable)!

'Stained' Glass Solarium

An interesting diversion for those of you who spend too much time already on the internet...

Florian...

... has the distinction of being Fantasy In Glass's longest customer (I dare not say oldest for fear of reprisal). She was a student of Mikey's before he even started Fantasy In Glass over 30 years ago, and still comes in every Friday to class. Today is her 93rd birthday. Celebrating here with Al who's birthday was last week (in case you're not sure, Florian is the one on the right)Donna the Cheetos trafficker lurks in the background).

Employee of the Month

Toronto, ON- Dan Savus, a housewears department shelf stocker and occasional cashier at Acme Glass, expressed sadness Wednesday over the rapidly approaching end to his reign as Employee of the Month. Fellow employees didn't have the heart to tell Mr. Savus his reign had actually ended five years ago.

Some of Our Customers Are So Talented...

Here's Leslie Duff describing her work-
'This glass piece includes round bottle bottoms personally excavated from an old building foundation (unbeknown to me @ the time). Some of the glass is 100+ years old! Very interesting unique designs
So OF COURSE I saved them for "something"
And here is my something:
I built an 8x10 bathhouse ( a friend gave me a claw foot tub )
And of course you need to have a Bubble ( bath) window!
Enjoy!
Leslie

Huge!

We have our largest order ever due next week-  frits, powders, decals (many in colour and gold)(and letters), millefiore stringer (including the very trendy vitrographic stuff), silicone bumper pads for your bowls and dishes and one million molds (well, maybe 800 or so?)... 

Christmas Store Hours

Just Like Goldilocks

... if you're looking for glass that's just right, at FIG that could mean glass that's Thin, 3mm and Thick. We have them all (in Black and White and Clear)...

Something to Leave...

... on your partner's/kids'/mom's/dad's/orthodontist's pillow as a gentle reminder.

... or pin it to their chest if subtle isn't your style...

Monthly Sale Now Up

... and while we usually announce the posting of the monthly sale with an unflattering picture of Zenia, in keeping with the spirit of the season, Mikey has a weak moment and decides to post one less unflattering (along with Voovoo, daughter of Louie, I'm not from Barcelona' Deeaz).
Sale here (might need a page refresh)

Sorry...

... all this social media has me confused. Our Blog has always been the 'go-to' place for the most up-to-date stuff related to FIG, but we also post to Facebook and Instagram and sometimes those loyal to our blog might miss some stuff... like this window-

We Have Succumbed...

This Friday and Saturday only, we too are jumping on the bandwagon with a special Black Friday Sale.
All already on sale Sale Squares (stained or fusible) from all manufacturers (Spectrum, Yogi, Uroboros, Kokomo, Bullseye, etc) on sale at an additional 30%off the sale price!

Yup. Got 'em...

Two New Pearl Opals!   It's been a while since we've added to the Pearl Opal line, so get ready for not just one...but two gorgeous new mixes! These beautiful, multi-color blends are a perfect combination of luminescence and light transmission, subtly enhanced by the gentle Corsica texture. These newcomers round out the line in a fresh, light direction. "Key Lime" To make new Key Lime we took the delicate yellow-greens of early spring and entwined them with Clear on a Pearl Opal base. Extending the range of Pearl Opal greens, Key Lime is sure to become indispensable for creating depth in foliage and natural scenes. Stock #6022-81CC "Blue Skies" The name says it all. This is a classic summer-blue sky with high wispy clouds. Think of it as an airy, "daylight" option in the sky-painting palette of the Pearl Opal line. Stock #603-81CC

Little Black Book

While our fusing experience goes back over 30 years, we still find it vital to keep detailed records today of almost every firing. It's really the only way to consistently be successful and to note and avoid error or make suggestions for subsequent firings. 
In our fusing classes we purposely talk temperatures, annealing times, all manner of technical stuff (hopefully just the right amount) because what use is it to just be told to make something and then just hand it off to someone else to fire? We do provide custom firing services but we do ask for you to give us a firing schedule so that you learn from the experience and also get exactly what you want. 

Want a firing log sheet- we'll give you one free for the asking or download this one from our friends at Wardell Publications.
Another alternative is a smartphone app- this is one we've used off and on for a couple of years.

Some of Our Customers Are So Talented

... and then there's Peter R.
But seriously folks, Peter was pushed into service to make and provide several (cup)cake plate stands for a Scottish themed wedding. Thought we'd show it off.

Looks like he did a very nice job!