Fuser's Reserve

We just brought in well over 400 square feet of this strikingly bizarre glass- suitable for fusing and stained glass work. An introduction like that only requires it be backed up with pictures as displayed by our diminutive Figimodo-

A Peek at a Process.

Playing around awhile ago, we decided to further immortalize one of popular music's most iconic albums, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon (what you thought Mikey was 3 Mustaphas 3 fan?)(actually I am, it's just that the artwork on their 'Soup of the Century' is a bit complex for glass... Mikey). 
But naturally we would do this Pink Floyd classic with a bit of a spin- we call ours Warped Side of the Moon-

The triangle (actually a prism) that dominates the design would prove to be a bit of a problem as the black centre fades out almost to white around the perimeter. A perfect opportunity to play with some powders. You can mix them with various mediums (CMC, aloe vera gel, etc) but we tried (and succeeded?) using black powder just dry on a white triangle of SP209 White. 

This gives us an opportunity to discuss Spectrum's two fusible whites. You see, they make a 200 white which is solid and dense in colour. It's ok, but a little too dead for our liking. It also is a colour that can be sometimes problematic with devitrification. Whereas the 209 white is just as white in reflected light but has a real nice 'ghosty' look to it due to it being about half as dense so it transmit as much light as it reflects. Makes for a more lively and warmer white!? And it is much easier to cut as you can see below.
Back to the art, we cut the (warped) triangle-

and through some trial and error (and maybe a bit of scotch) did an ok job replicating the feathered edge and dense centre-

We then fired the triangle on its own-

and then placed it on a already fired blank of SPBlack Aventurine capped with SPClear THICK (5mm)-

The extra thickness was necessary as the finished piece is quite large. A really nice touch is to lay up the design elements (rainbow, triangle, etc) on top of the thick clear as this gives it some extra depth as it looks like it is floating above the Aventurine base-

A final slump and all is done. 
And remember- analog rules! Play vinyl...

Supply Situation

Just got in our most recent glass and tool delivery from the U.S. with another two deliveries pending. 
With many in the industry still suffering due to the lack of a full-line Canadian distributor, we've been fortunate enough to have always nurtured relationships with other sources to assure a steady and complete supply of goods.
Now, let's not kid ourselves- while our inventory is very good, it was nice and handy to be able to run down the street for the odd out of stock item, something we no longer are able to do. So, out of stock items now might take a bit longer to secure.
Just in and now on the floor;
all out of stock Spectrum, Wissmach, Yogi and Uroboros glass, Morton Tools, glass cutters including the amazing Mitsuboshi Glass Cutter (yes, folks, after 30 years of superiority, there now is a new 'top of the food chain' glass cutter besides the Toyo!), Yogi and Oceana 6" x 12" Sale 'Rectangles" as low as $6.99 (75% less than off the rack!), Papyrus Paper for fusers, vase caps, chemicals, Edco Foil, Fusers' Glue, close to 3000 sale squares from Wissmach, Kokomo and Spectrum, grinders, tinned wire, Handy Hangars, Cutter Cozies, Sp100 fusible glass in all thicknesses and qualities (Ice, Reg and Crystal Clear) and over 400 square feet of totally new Fuser's Reserve Glass!
Next week will see lead from Cascade and Premier, as well as all sizes of Zinc Cames...

Mike Serba

You may not know that name but you no doubt have been connected to this young man.
You see, Mike was a vibrant, talented young man who was tragically taken from us at a way too early an age. In their grief, friends and family for several years have selflessly organized and run a Golf Tournament as a way of filling the void left by his passing and raise some money for a worthy cause. 
The Silvercreek Pre-School provides a positive pre-school setting with therapeutic (physio, occupational, speech & language, and music therapy) services delivered within a caring and creative early education classroom. They help children with and without physical and developmental challenges to achieve success as defined by each child and family. It is your contributions towards the purchase of scrap glass, glass crates and various other sundries that has been a very much appreciated addition to their continued survival to continue the good work they do.
So if you are a golfer perhaps consider attending the tournament on Sat. Sept. 21(go here) or if not, just stuff a few dollars into the FIG Donation Box next time you're in the store.

Just Something We Threw Together For Mikey

Frank Lloyd Wright Pictures

When you think stained glass, the first couple of names that come to mind are Tiffany and Frank Lloyd Wright. Here we give you the architecture and glass of this man, with special focus on The Unity Chapel in Oak Park, Illinois.
See it on Facebook, or see it here (want to see a lot of pics, then go here)

One of the many eccentric characters 

you will find on the streets of Chicago. 

And then there's the woman on the right...

A Quick Note

For those many of you who have been waiting for zinc in all sizes (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4") and lead in all profiles, we just got confirmation that our truck shipment from the U.S. and another from Cascade in B.C. is arriving tomorrow! Yippee!

Chihuly- Villain or Genius?

Love him or hate him- there is not a more polarizing artist in glass than Dale Chihuly- and you can decide for yourself by attending the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts which has a huge exhibition of his work on until October 20, 2013. 
Mikey misses his Brador beer and plans a visit this month to get his fill of both and will hopefully put together a photo album of Chihuly's works. And if the exhibit inspires you and you have a iPhone, there's a fun Chihuly app too...

Social Media Reminder

go here and tell us you like us...

Latest Stained Glass News!

Is now in- free to you because we love you. 

Issue #106 has:
• this issue's Free Pattern: Lion features the majestic king of the jungle, the symbol of royalty and bravery- or just  another example of a lame pattern (they should have continued to use ours).
• new items- a new studio professional strip cutter, metal findings, new lamp designs, new coolant and cutter oil, a calendar, a couple of new kilns, a new slumping drop-out mold, dichroic extract, and tons of new

glass.
• reader hints, a reader's workshop and more on "The Readers' Page"
• Randy's Help Desk Randy Wardell—Randy shares some reader responses to his last column, as well as answering another readers question about their first commission… including suggesting that they might want to let you do it!
• The Beadmakers' Corner Andie Kosak—Andie shares step-by-step instruction to make an encased triangle bead.
• a page of photos from readers in The Readers' Gallery

Monthly Sale

Posting a non-flattering picture of Zenia is our usual way of announcing the posting of the Monthly Sale. 
This month's picture however was so horrific, we felt that it best to protect you from the horror, and post this one instead (her feet are almost the equal).
Monthly sale here (might need a screen refresh).

Back to school for the kids, now maybe you want to also? Miss those days when you would heap abuse and scorn on your teacher? Well that's what competition is for. Otherwise come into Fantasy In Glass, and in a safe and secure environment take advantage of a large well-lit and outfitted studio and expert instruction from our teachers. Two bathrooms (no waiting), lightboxes, irons and grinders, overhead projectors, even access to our kilns! 
Beginner classes and Intermediates filling quickly so don't delay. See here for schedule...

We Have the Best Instructors

Here's an example of how Theresa sets up prior to the Beginner Class!

Of course, as usual, Figimodo has to try and be the centre of attention...

Still on Vacation

Glass Is A Liquid, Right?

Wrong! 
And this is a popular misconception that just drives Mikey crazy. So, let's dispel this crazy notion and rerun a paper Mikey authored in this very topic two decades ago, once again:

 So, what is it this mysterious substance we call glass? Is it a solid? Is it a liquid? Do four out of five dentists recommend it? (Which makes you wonder who visits that one out of five dentist, and what does he recommend?...Ed) Let's join hands and explore the subject together. 

    Okay, so let's assume it's a liquid for a minute. It has to be, right? We've all heard the stories about pulling glass out of old windows and how the pieces were all thicker at the bottom proving that the glass was slowly flowing downward. Heck, the way the glass was flowing pretty soon all our churches will have their sanctuaries full of puddles of flowing stained glass windows. You'll have to step over the Good Shepherd and his sheep to get to your pew! With all those uncovered windows with all their cancer causing light streaming through them congregations will be forced to take communion wearing Vuarnet sunglasses and wearing sunscreen. Actually it's a sham. Old glass is typically mouth blown and therefore varies sometimes quite significantly in thickness, disproving the notion that glass might be a liquid.

    Well if it's not a liquid then it stands to reason that it's a solid, right?  Webster's Dictionary defines a solid as "a substance of definite shape and volume; not liquid or gas." There you go, problem solved. But, hey, wait a minute. Isn't something a solid only when its molecules are motionless and lined up in flawless geometric fashion, like your grandma's furniture doilies. We call this "crystalline" (the solid, not grandma's doilies, unless she seldom washed them). A liquid on the other hand is quite the opposite. Its molecules are constantly in motion and entirely random in structure. Well, what do we do now? It seems then that according to the scientist, glass is neither a solid or liquid because its molecules are motionless (like a solid) but random in configuration (like a liquid)- so we'll call it a liquid? 

    Actually a better word is vitreous.

    If you look around, there's lots of stuff that's sometimes a liquid and sometimes a solid. Take that stuff wrapped in foil at the back of your fridge for example. Or water. Or iron. At any given moment, their state depends on their temperature. Water's molecular structure is random until the temperature moves down to zero Celsius (how come they don't use centigrade?) when its molecules start to crystallize- namely, line up in perfect lattice-like order and stop moving. Below zero and bingo, now it's a solid. And the amazing thing is that zero degrees is like a light switch. Above it's a liquid, below, it's a solid. But vitreous substances (like glass in case you've been sleeping until this very moment) do not have a freezing or melting point. As temperature decreases the free flowing molecules in molten glass simply slow down to the point where they just won't move anymore. But they stay random with no crystallization occurring. Got it? 

    So, glass then is neither a liquid nor a solid, but it's sleazy and exhibits definite characteristics of both. You might say we now have Four States of Matter instead of three- liquid, solid, gas and glass.

But don't take our word for it. Go to Corning Glass' website and read for yourself-
http://www.cmog.org/article/does-glass-flow

Summer Closing

Closed from today until we reopen Wed. September 4, 2013!

Fusers Reserve

We have a huge shipment due first week of September which will include long time missing items such as Hobby Came in 3' lengths and rolls, zinc came in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" widths, all manner of glass from Spectrum, Youghiogheny, Uroboros and Kokomo, as well as a few surprises. 
Of course Mikey can't keep his mouth shut so he has spilt the beans on one surprise- Holiday Fusers Reserve- a limited Edition specialty glass for either fusing or stained glass. 
And if you can keep it quiet, I think it's even going to be put on sale as soon as it arrives!

What A Guy!

Brad Walker has published several books on fusing. 
He also has a website. That's the problem.
You see, he needs to sell books to generate income, yet he seems determined to  give the bulk of that information away for free on his website.
So, buy his book and/or check out warmglass.com. Both are an invaluable resource and should be supported.
Here's a good place to start.
And if you are so inclined, drop him an email and thank him for all he has done.

More Social Media

Yes, we are on Instagram, but have also been on Facebook for quite some time. Check out the Fantasy In Glass page here, and make sure to 'like' us (we need the validation)- 

... and look, even Figimodo has his own page here-

          

Fusing- Devitrification, Even Us

While we spoke earlier in this enlightened blog about devitrification (see here), we neglected to tell you what it actually is (Mikey was reminiscing about his long gone mullet obviously...Vanna Opal). ‘Devit’ is a not uncommon problem fusers will suffer from sooner or later- a crystallization of the surface of the glass which like unwanted houseguests is not easy to deal with or as attractive (for an overly simple explanation). Sadly, as in many mother-in-laws, it is not removable. Happily, however, it is treatable.

Moving along, let’s see what we can do to fix it.

As you gaze in wonderment and amazement at this inspiring work of art and skill done by Mikey and Zenia, you might notice that the SP1009SF Black base for this project devitrified badly. Oh, the horror!

But why? 

Some possible causes and solutions;

• it’s possible that the Bullseye endorsed glass cleaner caused it. This is the first time we tried this cleaner which smells like a combination of Windex and alcohol. We typically use isopropyl alcohol as a final cleanup after washing our glass with a detergent (alcohol is not very good at cutting through cutter lubricants which are mostly oil-based- another reason we prefer kerosene (yes, it also is an oil, but almost not). Remember, always handle cleaned glass by the edges with oil-free hands.

• Perhaps the SP1009SF Glass was the cause. It was fusible which means that aside from having a known expansion, it is also formulated to minimize devit, but not always and opals are more prone to devit.  Multiple firings also could encourage devit. We often purposely dirty up a small sample and do a test firing before investing a lot of time and effort using a glass that might be suspect. If we still want to use a glass that might cause us problems there are options such as capping with clear, sprinkling a thin layer of clear glass powder or overspraying with such readily available products such as Spray A and Borax. 

• Did we run a program too long in the ‘devit zone’? This would be temperatures above 1300F. The longer we keep our glass above this temp, the higher the susceptibility it will have to devitrify. Best case scenario is to fire up to between 1000-1250F with a hold of 10-30 minutes and then speed up the firing (500F or more) until you reach your terminal temperature. Of course, there are ranges here- you have to adapt your schedule according to project size and/or thickness.

• Was the ‘air’ in the kiln polluted meaning the kiln and peepholes were closed and unable to vent off any impurities (glue, shelf paper, duck fat)? Some glues are better, some worse at causing devit. One we can heartily recommend is Bullseye’s Glastac, or favourite. Minimize their use or just stop using your glass for roasting dinner...

• Grinding. Working a piece of glass with a glass grinder will almost certainly increase the likelihood of devit. Focusing on good glass cutting to remove the need for a grinder is the best solution as a smooth glass cut edge is best. Second best is to not let your ground pieces dry out by keeping them in a tub of water with some detergent, vinegar (we are Canadian, but that doesn’t mean to use cider vinegar, ok?!) or even grinder coolant to increase the water’s wetness (that’s right- coolant actually does that) and when ready to set up in the kiln, scrub all edges with a toothbrush (Mikey gets a thrill out of using Vanna Opal’s Oral B Ultrasonic toothbrush and not telling her).

• Any combination of the above. This last one is one that we like the best. You see, you might be doing your prep and firing where you are just on the edge of having devit occur but not quite. Then, some minor anomaly occurs (you peek in the kiln because you are just too nosy and impatient thereby usurping the firing schedule, or you missed a fingerprint, etc). One change might have not been an issue, but the two together might have.

So Mikey you ponder, now that I know how to avoid devitrification, how do I fix the piece I made yesterday?

One way of repairing devit involves is by removing the top skin of the glass. Sandblasting, grinding, acid etching- all labour intensive and for most our applications, a little too involved. There is a simpler and equally effective solution and that is to use some sort of top coat to coat your work and thereby 'glazing out' the devitrification. Zenia’s preferred way is to spray coat a thin layer of Spray A (or Borax or other overspray- remember, some may not be food safe as they may contain lead) using a mouth atomizer, and then refiring. Easy, uncomplicated and virtually 100 percent successful. And that's what we did to fix this piece-

In closing, keep in mind that it is more preferable to avoid devit to begin with than it is to have to deal with it after...

Summer Closing

Last day we are open is Saturday August 24...

An Industry Update

In the fallout of the failing of our one and only Canadian distributor, several months later we still all sit here without one. 
No one. Nadda. 
While we can only speculate as to how the competition is doing, we have been relatively unaffected. You see, we always sourced out most of our goods from elsewhere. Coming the first week of September-
- lead and zinc cames including the popular Hobby Lead (strips and rolls)
- more Spectrum artglass and fusible glass including their newest colours (such as some stunning new Fusers' Reserve) as well as some great pricing on their Crystal Clear fusible, their new economy priced Clear Ice, and tons of black and white fusible.
- more Youghiogheny including the very popular and well priced 8" x 10" sale pieces
- Uroboros reactives
- straight line bevels and hand tools
- almost 1500 Spectrum Sale Squares.
Any and all customers looking for something in particular or want us to hold something for you, drop us an email or give us a call prior to closing on August 23 and we will add/hold it for you.

Erbium Pink

This colour is no longer available- whether for fusing or stained glass. Even though it wasn't cheap, it was wildly popular- think cancer ribbon pink and you get the idea. We did buy up all the left over stock we could find and have some left in these precut hearts...

Serious Work Making Our Figgy Fusible Scrap Paks

This whole social media thingy (or thingie, Gary?) is a great venue to give our customers and friends a special insight into the running of a retail business in general and a glass store in particular- after all it's not called the Trials and Tribulations of a Demented Store Owner for nothing. 
This humble little blog of ours has been controversial and most definitely outspoken from time to time only because we saw a need to offer you an open and honest insight into this industry- warts and all. Topics we've delved into include forecasting the demise of Hollander Glass, to our love/hate relationship with some manufacturers, to the introduction of new products such as SwissCheesed GlassWerks, to threats of lawsuits, to stories like A Man Called Gus), but it also means that there is information that we post in one spot that might get missed by those who only visit another. 
We have content on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and of course our long running blog (over 1300 posts since 2000). Just search for us under Fantasyinglass (natch) or Figimodo (not so natch). And that's Mikey's excuse for not having posted as frequently as of late, now soon to be rectified.

 Go here to see the serious work we put into making up our famous Figgy Fuser's Scrap Paks...