Tatsmithing: "Stout Agate"

Tatsmithing:  "Stout Agate"

     This is a banded agate, measuring 30 x 30 mm.  (Looks like a fish in the stone).

  One of the patterns from my new "Tatsmithing" book.

Tatsmithing: "7-Sisters Standing Tall"

 Tatsmithing:  "7-Sisters Standing Tall"

     This is another piece of unakite , measuring 26 x 38 mm.

One of the patterns from my new "Tatsmithing" book.

Tatsmithing: "Basic Design"

Tatsmithing:  "Basic Design"

     This is similar to the cabochon from an earlier post.   The unique thing about cutting rock, every cut has a different pattern...no two are alike.   The stone is another piece of mahogany obsidian from Glass Butte, Oregon.  The finished piece measures 21 mm x 70 mm.

      One of the patterns from my new "Tatsmithing" book.

Learning to Work Your Glass (Part I)

Learning to Work Your Glass (Part I)

     This is a reminder:  the glassblowing portion of my blog, is a refresher for my students who has had my glassblowing class or someone who has glassblown before.  If you have not glassblown, I suggest you take a few beginner lessons. 

Supply List:
Torch set up
Burt's Bees burn cream/q-tip
Size 3 tip for you torch 
Heavy screen  
Wet/dry sandpaper
Ceramic mat
8 mm tubing
Towel
File/glass cutter

Matches/Lighter

Breaking the glass:
     Using a file or glass cutter, place a small score scratch across the glass.  Remember, the scratch doesn't have to be that long.
     If you are using a file, scratch the glass by bring you file forward or away from you.  Do Not, bring the file back towards you, this will flatten the tines on the file and ruin it.
     Dampen you finger with water, or spit, and wet your score mark.  This may seem strange to those of you who has not done this, but it all has to do with the Chemistry of the glass.  The water/"Mom's magic spit", speeds up the rate of the glass cracking (breaking the silica bonds).  If you don't do this step, your glass won't break properly.  Don't laugh, try breaking glass without spit. 
     Use a towel, for safety, to cover the glass as you break it.  It is very important, when breaking glass to pull out and bend the glass back at the same time.  The pulling out part releases the stress on the back end so the glass breaks cleanly.

45 degree angles:
     Break off about a 6" piece of 8 mm tubing.   Using a heavy piece of screen, whack the end of the glass, at an angle, using quick/hard blows.  Use smaller, lighter strokes to make finer fractures.  This method is similar to flint knapping arrowheads.  Once a rough angle is made, add a little water to the wet/dry sandpaper and smooth the ends and edges (ground glassing the end).

Lighting the torch:
    Use the "POOP" method (propane on, oxygen on, oxygen off, propane off).  
     Have your flame (match/lighter) ready, light and hold it near the torch tip.  Turn on the red knob (propane), and obtain about a 6" orange flame.  Turn on the green knob (oxygen), and obtain about a 3/4" blue flame.
     Turning off the oxygen first (green), then the propane (red).  DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THE KNOBS!!!!!  YOU'LL RUIN THE NEEDLE VALVES AND YOUR TORCH WON'T PROPERLY TURN OFF!!!!!!!!!

Bends ("U" and 90 degree):
     Remember:  Hot glass looks the same as cold glass!!  Don't burn the top of your bench, put your hot glass on the ceramic mats.  Using about a 12" piece of 8 mm tubing, heat your glass at the point were you want the bend.  Remember to rotate your glass, to heat it evenly.  Once the glass heats up, it will start to bend.  Slowly bend your glass to the desired angle.  Bending it too quickly will cause the glass to crimp/buckle.  Once you have mastered this turn off the torch.  Remember:  Turn off the green knob (oxygen) then turn off the red knob (propane).  DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THE KNOBS!!!!!

 

Next Lesson

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

     No tatting to show today.  Just saying "Happy Mother's Day" to all the Mother's out there.

 

Tatsmithing: The Art of Silversmithing With String

Tatsmithing:  The Art of Silversmithing With String

   (If you are interested in this book, type out your email address in the comments, below, and I will get back with you. USA orders, only )

  Just in time for Mother's Day.  This book was dedicated to my Mother for Mother's Day.  I am blessed with wonderful parents, who are full of encouragement and praise.  I also thank God, for all the artistic talents He has given me.
     The book is available on Face Book, in "photos", under "Tatsmithing"  and "books".  The book contains 11 Tatsmithing patterns, progressing from the easiest to the hardest designs.  All patterns are diagrammed.  The finished pieces can be used for pendents, earrings, broaches, hanging from a tree or what ever you desire.  The patterns are:  "Basic Design", "7-sisters Standing Tall", "Stout Agates", "Tall Agates", "Itty-Bitty", "Elegant Jade", "Doublet", "Rosey", "Writing Stone", "Heart Earrings", and "Cross".

More Tiny Teapots

More Tiny Teapots

   Here are more teapots from Martha Ess's "Tea is for Tatting".  The book has 4 different tiny teapots.

      The top left has one strand of Sulky 30 wt, #4032 and one strand of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 1/4 X 1 1/2".
      The top right has one strands of Sulky 30 wt, #4016 and one strand of silver sewing thread, measuring 1 3/8 X 1 7/8".
      The bottom has two strands of Sulky 30 wt, #4013 and two strands of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 3/8 X 1 3/4".

    The left has one strand of Lizbeth size 40 in Summer Breeze and one strand of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 3/8 X 2". 
     The top right has one strand of pearl cotton #12 and one strand of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 3/8 X 1 3/4".
     The bottom right has one strand of Sulky 30 wt, #4102 and one strand of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 X 1 1/8".

     These are the two for my resin shuttle.

     The top one strand of Lizbeth size 40 in Summer Breeze and one strand of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 1/4 X 1 3/4".
     The bottom one is an unknown sewing thread, smaller than the 30 wt and one strand of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 1/2 X 1/14"

     Thanks to Diane at "Lace-Lovin' Librarian" for the four samples of Sulky thread. 

     The Shuttle Shop imbeds your tatting, or you can use their tatting, into a resin shuttle.  Your piece can be no larger than 1 1/4" x 2 1/2".  If you are interested, e-mail Erin at   erinhinton@frontier.com


     My husband gave this to me yesterday, it's an early birthday present.  (My birthday isn't until next week.)  It just arrived in the mail and we couldn't wait to open it.