My new mold from Colour de Verre .... A WINNER!

Yesterday I used a new mold I purchased from Colour de Verre. WOW! Can you imagine my excitement when I opened the kiln and took out this piece?! It fired upside down in the mold, iridized side down, and then was covered with black glass. So I couldn't see it until the kiln was cool and the piece could be lifted out. It will now be slumped in another mold to get its shape.

Here is a photo of the mold itself. You can use frit in the swirls and border, then top with clear glass. You can also cut smaller pieces of glass (not use the whole 9-3/4" square) and lay your pieces angled on the pattern. There are instructions and many examples on the website. I can't wait to try a few more! And, best of all, they keep coming out with new pattern molds to buy ... buy ... buy!

"Let's Dance" Video

One of my golfing friends sent me this video. It's so good and I'm happy to share it with you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ab9i0s4WEY0&feature=related

FOR THOSE DAYS WHEN YOU JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE COOKIE!

Did you ever crave a piece of chocolate or chocolate chip cookie or a slice of chocolate chocolate chip zucchini bread or ... And there was nothing in the house? This past week I saw this recipe on Facebook, so I copied it. Today I made it.

It really made a BIG cookie and I could only eat half of it while it was still hot. I microwaved it for the full 60 seconds, and it was a little on the heavy side, but definitely satisfied that chocolate craving. I may have added a few more chips than called for ..... I will definitely make it again and maybe next time do 50 seconds. It actually was amazing that it cooked so quickly. I wonder how it would bake in the oven? There are photos below, before and after cooking.

FOR THOSE DAYS WHEN YOU JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE COOKIE!

1 tbsp butter melted
1 tbsp white sugar
1 tbsp brown sugar
3 drops of vanilla
pinch of salt
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup flour
2 tbsp chocolate chips

MICROWAVE 40-60 SEC IN A CUP OR BOWL
Viola! Single serving deep dish chocolate chip cookie!

Here is the little soufflé dish before baking:

After baking for 60 seconds:

Like I said, I may have added a few extra chocolate chips!

"Pink Lightning" Treasury

My newest stained glass box was featured this week in an Etsy treasury. What a bright group of pieces! I love making these boxes. Sadly, one I sold last month was used to hold a precious clipping of hair from a dog that just died .... but on the brighter and happier side, they are most often used in weddings to hold the rings.

'Pink Lightning' by SecretMuse

Who doesn't love some sassy, powerful, delicious pink.

Fan Veils-Nebula Series-Hot ... alanahbellydan... $38	Stained Glass Box Hinged Lid... RoseMarysGlass... $35
white and pink cobweb felted... FairyFelting $68.99	Less Work More Zen V ( Moder... wendiland $37
M I L A // Gold plated fusch... NaturalEnemy $25	Galaxy Mini Skirt Womens Fit... Legging $21.45
On Sale- SUPER SLINK: Pink/F... LiberaceNation $210	Lightning flash necklace, gr... Fosseth $35
Punk Rock Star Garland - mad... HandmadeCuddle... $12	NEON PINK Lightning Dress : ... NeonNancy $35
10mm Round Mottled Glass Bea... Aingealism $1.95	Black Pink Flowers Watercolo... DUEALBERI $48
soviet union vintage aluminu... vintagethink $33	Ivory Pearl Bridal Peep Toe ... MDNY $219
Vintage 70s Midi Skirt - Hig... fabledfancy $32	Made to Order - Lamb Love Sw... BossysFeltwork... $40

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"RAKU" Etsy Treasury

I'm looking forward to starting my clay work soon to fire a kiln load for our local ceramics sale in December. One of my favorite firing methods is to raku. I have a small gas kiln for that purpose that I got for FREE years and years ago through Virginia Cartwright when she was teaching in the area. However, when you opened the kiln door, you got a blast of 1750-1800 Deg. F. heat in the face. Not pleasant, and by the time you could reach your pieces with the raku tongs, it was too late. This problem was solved with the purchase of a large face shield that has a special heat resistant coating. It's truly unbelievable how efficient it is.

Did you know I had a YouTube video on raku firing? HA. Here is the link. There is also a gourd video, as well as one on clay whistles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zCssr9RVzQ

I'm getting off my reason for this blog post. There was a very nice Etsy treasury yesterday that featured my raku heart pendant.

'Raku' by CraftyCatNZ

In the traditional Japanese process, the fired raku piece is removed from the hot kiln and is allowed to cool in the open air or in a container filled with combustible material. Raku techniques have been modified by contemporary potters worldwide.

Clay Heart Raku-Fired Pendan... RoseMarysClay $24	Raku Bead Mix elementspotter... $20
Raku handmade pendant with f... WANTdesignsjew... $50	Raku Pottery Pot CrookedCreekSt... $45
Dolphin Teapot TheNewDeal $34	Raku Ceramic Teacups Rakumancy $85
Ceramics and Pottery Raku Bo... mmartiniuk $72	Art deco style raku ceramic ... JanislaJewels $9.5
Red Horsehair raku and turqu... SaguaroPottery $45	Micro Macrame Picasso Raku ... elenascrochetj... $32
SALE. Raku Necklace . Ocean... ZenCeramics $37	Handmade Raku Clay Form. Han... CMYClay $40
Rusty Tin Can CityOfTreesPot... $20	Path of Water: Raku Pendant ... ThreeMusesJewe... $79
Double Strand Blue Lagoon Pe... BeneathTheBodh... $68	Reflections of a Silvery Moo... WondrousStrang... $12

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Recycled Fused Glass Plate

My son gave me a pile of 1/8" glass shelving years ago. I made this piece on a flat mold I bought at Pacific Glass in Gardena, CA. I love the swirls and dragonflies. The plate would be great left as a flat piece, but I slumped it yesterday in a mold I had. It measures 6-1/2" x 12". And I love the celadon color, which also happens with window glass.

This glass plate is so beautiful, much more beautiful than in this photograph.

Fused Glass Plate - Broken Bottle - Finished

I finished my three glass plates made from the broken Pellegrino bottles, and I LOVE THEM !!! I had time to photograph and post one today in my Etsy shop. They are 6-1/2" square and so glossy and so gorgeous. Remember if you do this, don't mix the glass. Use one bottle for each plate, as the glass may not be compatible. Why take the chance, right?