Face Mask

Face Mask

by | Apr 4, 2020 | Custom Design, General Information

I think I found a mask solution – one that is easy to wear, easy to breathe and not making you uncomfortably hot. It is also environmentally beneficial, since you can wash and reuse it many times. 

Once our classes stopped in mid March, I started researching masks. Those of you who know me, know that I like to avoid them as much as I can. Even in my glass studio. But rules are changing and I said from the get go, that we should all wear masks, since the incubation time is so long and yet we can already spread the virus.

But what does one do – masks are uncomfortable and usually are either under your chin or on your forehead within minutes.

After some research and sewing about 5 different types of masks, I finally settled on my Sunshine Mask.

 

Sunshine Face Mask In this PDF document you will find the reasoning behind my Sunshine Face Mask. But even after we have survived this pandemic, I will continue wearing this mask. It hides my double chin and might help me with the dust in my studio.

I thought it might make a nice Gift

for those of you who support us in this difficult time. So, with your next order of Kaiser Lee Board you will get one of those masks. But please be aware, it is not a medical mask. It will give you some protection (70 %) but you still have to keep your distance and wash your hands often.

How to Prepare Kaiser Lee Board and other FAQ

How to Prepare Kaiser Lee Board and other FAQ

by | Mar 26, 2020 | General Information

Kaiser Lee Board does not absorb any heat therefor you do not have any interference with your firing no matter how much board you have in your kiln. I like to work on individual Kaiser Lee Board kiln shelves to set up my work. 

 

 

Do I have to use kiln wash on your Kaiser Lee Board?

If you want to kiln wash Kaiser Lee Board kiln shelf, use either Boron Nitride or Primo Primer. But we do not recommend kiln washing for reasons explained below.
In Germany I learned to use only kiln wash in its dry stage rather than mixed with water  – just powder it onto the shelf and add more as needed. You have to be careful when placing your glass on it so that you don’t get any on top of the glass, but other than that it works fine.

Can I use no release at all?

Yes you can, glass does not really stick to Kaiser Lee Board. It will pick up some of the particles and will be rough on the back – which could be good in the case of wall mountings like tiles or back splashes. Opalescent colors are more aggressive than transparent colors or clear. Clear luminescent glass works well with just kiln wash powder.
Iridescent or dichroic glass does not stick to the board either if you are using the coated sides toward the board.

Will the glass ever stick to Kaiser Lee Board?

The only time I have glass picking up a junk of fiber is when I melt glass to its liquid stage for raking. I’m using a different kiln and a designated Kaiser Lee Board for this process.
Another issue could be, if you treated  the shelf with regular wet kiln wash (other than Primo Primer)). This type of kiln wash is known to stick to the glass sometimes and than it will rip fibers from the shelf. So please never treat your kiln shelf with regular kiln wash.
On Edge design on Papyros Paper and light weight Kaiser Lee Board kiln shelf. 

Should you use shelf paper?

I use shelf paper if I want a smooth backing or if I do “construction” art work with many pieces, which I glue to the paper with Fuse It Tack Film.

Do you have any tips on care and maintenance?

Kaiser Lee Board is easy to carve so be careful when you place something onto your Kaiser Lee Board kiln shelf so you won’t scratch it. I
Minor scratches are easy  to smooth  a knife sharpening or soft sanding block. Use only very little pressure and go over it lightly and evenly. Once you feel like your shelf is not good enough any more, turn it over and use the other side. And later on you can always make a mold from it. I have used my kiln shelves for over 12 years nearly every day.
This 19″ (48 cm) square Bird Bath is made with 2 Kaiser Lee Board molds. With this step down method you can full fuse and slump a 2″ deep bowl in one firing with the firing schedule below. 

Can you give me some type of idea or typical fusing schedule?

 
Here are 2 fusing schedules that are typical when using Kaiser Lee Board as your choice of kiln shelf and mold.

 

 Full Fuse and Slump Schedule

  • Ramp up 600°F (315° C) per hour to 1000°F  (537° C) and hold for 10 minutes

  • Ramp up as fast as possible (full = the setting after 0) to 1420° F (480° C) hold for 10 to 20 minutes or desired result is achieved.

  • Ramp down full to 900°F (480° C) and hold for 1 hr

  • Ramp down 100° F (37° C) per hour to 700°F (370° C) hold 1 min.

  • Let cool to room temperature.

    If a piece is already fused and has to be re-fired again I slow the process down by changing the ramp up from 600°F to 300°F  (315°C to 150°C)   per hour.

All you need to adjust now is the target temperature for slumping and draping.
 
 
 
Kaiser Lee Board does not expand or contract during firing, therefor you can use it to fire around it, like in this on edge set up for a “Sunburst” wall sculpture. To avoid polishing, we wrapped the board with a strip of Papyros™ paper. 

Best Way to get some board to “Make It Truly Yours”.

With those three boards you can make a kiln shelf and several multi use molds. The free e-book will give you a bunch of ideas and directions.

If you have any more questions, add them to this blog or send me an email and we can add them to this blog entry.

Make Your Own Anti Devit Solution

Make Your Own Anti Devit Solution

by | Feb 29, 2020 | General Information, Product Information, Tutorials

Devitrification Solution

  Devitrification  will leave a crystalline (hazy) finish on the surface of your glass. You can either etch or sandblast the glass or you can try a Devitrification Spray. Pay special attention to the mixing directions – not following them can lead to ugly spots on your fired glass.
You do not need to worry about devitrification with Wissmach glass made for fusing. Those are labled COE 90 or COE 96.    
       Tested compatible logo 96   tested compatible 90 sticker  
But glass that is not made for fusing, like Wissmach regular Art Glass has a tendency to devitrify. In any case, you might have some around from your stained glass days, or you found some beautiful glass you could not resist to buy, than you can try to make something by fusing just the glass from the same sheet. And to avoid devit, make the solution below and follow the instructions.   

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 quart (4 cups) distilled water
  •  1/4 cup 20 “Mule Team Borax” (available at most grocery stores in the laundry detergent section)
  • 2 Tablespoons Fuse It Tack Film or other clean burning glass glue,

Materials:

  • 2 clean, water-tight, 1 quart (or larger) containers
(2 pack) 20 Mule Team Borax Detergent Booster & Multi-Purpose Household Cleaner, 65 Oz Box

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Mix all ingredients very well in one of the clean containers.  For best results, close container and shake vigorously. 
  2. Allow mixture to sit, undisturbed, overnight. 
  3. Some of the borax will settle in the bottom of the container.  Carefully pour the liquid into the second container.  Do not allow any of the settled borax into the second container. This leaves a small amount of liquid with the borax sediment in the first container. Discard the contents of the first container. 
  4. The solution in the second container is ready for use (see below).
  5. Simply brush (a haiku brush) or spray the solution evenly onto your glass.
  6. Let the spray dry before firing. A hair dryer can be used to speed this up.
The Magic of Working Diagonal!

The Magic of Working Diagonal!

by | Dec 30, 2019 | Custom Design, Inspiration, Product Information, Tutorials

A Kaiser Lee Board Tutorial to Celebrate the Beginning of the Twenties!

Happy New Year!

Finally we will have a decade again with an identity.

Should you be reading this post to the end, you will find out that there is a possibility that I will actually make it for you. Just be one of the first people to order our “Special” and request a mold cutting service.

 

My students keep asking me, if we could make plates that are fairly flat with just a slight curve to the edges of the dish. So finally I succumbed to the challange and made one out of Kaiser Lee Board. Of course it can not just be a “one use” style mold.

To create the curve I used a sanding block and carved on an angle to the inside, where I removed the 5 inch circle first.

Several year ago one of my students, Dick, introduced me to those little tiles which you can get mounted on a net at any place where they sell tiles. Make sure they are ceramic tiles. You can even cut them with a glass cutter and break them with the runner. Until then I always used little pieces of KLB. But this definitely gives me more options and they are easier to use.

Using just two tiles to elevated the outer mold part just to a very shallow dish. If you want the dish a bit deeper in the center, add another tile and for a soup bowl you remove the center KLB part and use as many tiles you like until you have the preferred hight of your bowl.

 

I used 4 sets of tiles three levels high for this blue lunch plate.

 

Create Your Own Table Setting with just this ONE KLB Mold

Just recently we had a discussion with a friend who said that he wanted a tablesetting made in the USA. So I told him not to look any further. He can make his own with glass made in the USA – Wissmach Glass, which is even tested food save.

So with this mold we will be making serving plates, lunch plates, soup bowls, and dinner plates. And if we get bored by the pattern, we can always change it.

 

 

Tested compatible logo 96

 

Here is a plate that is 15″ (38 cm) long on a 12″ (30 cm) square mold.

Ahh! the magic of working diagonal. Isn’t it fun. And yes it Wissmach clear COE 96 with many colors fused and slumped in one firing.

 

To celebrate the New Year we have created this special offer. And the first 10 customers can request one mold cutting service ($15 value). All you have to do is send in your design request and we will cut it for you.

Also in the month of January and February you can earn a $ 10 Gift Certificate when you are willing to share your KLB experiments with us and our blog readers.

Year End Inspiration

Year End Inspiration

by | Dec 22, 2019 | General Information, Inspiration, Product Information

Another year is coming to an end. Did yours fly by also? I hope it was a healthy and creative year for you.

For us it is the last few days before our South West Florida Season is getting very busy. Yes, we have seasons in Florida, too.  cool

Don’t frown, we have not seen the sun for several days now and for some reason the rainy season is back. Hopefully it will get better when you will come for a visit. 

Have you ever thought about wasting a Kaiser Lee Board to experiment with some new and fun kiln forming projects? I have good news for you. You can’t waste KLB, since every small piece and even the “Sand” is useful when it comes to interesting kiln forming options.
     
Two Step Down Bowl Fired in One Firing

Special Offer

Imagine what you could gain, if you start yourself on a Kaiser Lee Board journey. Let’s get you started with 3 KL-boards 12″ x 12″ x 1″, and a FREE e-book and until January 9th this special package comes with free shipping in the consecutive 48 US-States.
 
Mold Set Up for the Two Step Down Bowl
I use little ceramic tiles to elevate the outer mold part in order to create the two steps.

Use the same pieces to set up 3 more mold possibilities for 3 additional projects.

Yes, there are more, but I have a tendency to overwhelm people with the possibilities of Kaiser Lee Board. Just keep in mind, in the long run, KLB is the most economical mold material in the market since over twenty years.  
To celebrate the New Year we have created this special offer. And the first 10 customers can request one mold cutting service ($15 value). All you have to do is send in your design request and we will cut it for you. Also in the month of January and February you can earn a $ 10 Gift Certificate when you are willing to share your KLB experiments with us and our blog readers.  

We wish you Happy Holidays and a Healthy, Happy and Creative Year 2020.

Petra & Wolfgang Kaiser