Use Papyros Paper to Create a Sign Holder!

Use Papyros Paper to Create a Sign Holder!

Papayros Paper™ is usually used as a release paper in kiln forming. But lately we have used it for many other purposes. One of them we already introduced a few blogs earlier. Keep the Luminescent Coating on the Top Layer!

Today I like to show you how to use Papyros Paper™ to make your own little sign holders for pictures, price tags, art descriptions and more. I use mine to add signage to my free standing sculptures or price tags. I hope those little stands might be handy for you as well. Have fun and if you like it, please share this post with your fusing friends.

 

Bubbles – never again!

Bubbles – never again!

Yesterday, one of our new customers sent me this picture. Have you experienced this bubble problem? I did! Nearly 20 years ago, before I started using Kaiser Lee Board as a kiln shelf.

Here is my reasoning behind the bubble issue. Glass is a very slow heat conductor, while clay is a very good heat conductor. For example, you can hold a 3″ long glass stringer into a candle flame and it won’t get hot at the end of the stringer, even after softening in the front. With a clay piece, you would burn your fingers in no time. (If you want to try the clay part of this experiment, please have some Pepto Bismol next to you, to treat your burn marks).

When you place your glass on a clay shelf, there is always some air between the glass and the shelf and while the kiln heats up, the air gets hot and since it can’t escape will blow a bubble into the soft glass. Kaiser Lee Board, on the other hand, does not conduct heat any faster than your glass. In addition, it is also porous and any trapped air can escape easily. Another advantage of fusing with Kaiser Lee Board is that you can fire a lot faster than with clay type kiln furniture.  Oh yes, I have read about all the tricks and hoops you have to go through to avoid those bubbles and Kaiser Lee Board.

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Keep the Luminescent Coating on the Top Layer!

Keep the Luminescent Coating on the Top Layer!

Lately I’m experimenting with Papyros Paper and have made several discoveries. Today I want to share my latest with you. Laura P. once mentioned that she places Papyros Paper on top of a luminescent glass, when she slumps it, after she fused the luminescent side down in the first firing.

With the Kaiser Lee Board molds we generally full fuse and slump in one firing. Until now, I told everyone, that they have to use a reverse fusing mold, if they wanted to keep the luminescent glass on top. The piece that you see in the picture is actually on a reverse fusing mold and I added a yellow luminescent square on the back to stabilize the foot of the dish. This way I had nothing to lose if the piece did not turn out the way I wanted it. (Yes, I hate to waste glass). I covered the yellow square with a piece of Papyros Paper that was slightly larger than the yellow square. 

I fired it all the way up to 1420°F  (770°C) and hold for 10 minutes. It amazes me, that the Papyros Paper did not leave any grayish residue or marks on the glass, not even on the black. And yes, the luminescent did not fire off. 

Let me know what you think in the comment section below. And to be the first to hear about all the other fun things that will come up in the near future, please subscribe to this blog. 

Reverse Kaiser Lee Board Mold
Kiln Formed Ostrich Pattern Plate

Kiln Formed Ostrich Pattern Plate

Reverse Fusing with Kaiser-Lee Board and Papyrus Paper as a Design Element
Is Ideal to Bring Out the Beautiful Shine of Wissmach Luminescent Glass!

Reverse Kaiser Lee Board Mold

Above you see a 2” x 10” x 10” piece of Kaiser-Lee Board that I carved to create reversed fusing mold. It is ideal to bring out the beauty of  Wissmach Luminescent coated Glass!

Papyrus Paper Design

Here I cut 1/2” wide strips of Papyrus Paper, 10 “ long and glued 3 strips together to make them a bit thicker. Then I wove them together as shown in the pictures. Yes, I made sure that they were not perfect.

Luminescent Plate

The glass I chose is a Wissmach Luminescent 96-14 which I decorated with some thin vitrigraph stringers. Now all I had to do is to place it luminescent side down on the mold set up and fire and fuse it in one firing.

Having fun with Multi Pens

Having fun with Multi Pens

Multi Pens are a form of glass enamel that we have added to our line of products, since they are easy to work with and fire absolutely shiny. 

This dragon was painted on very patiently with a fine brush and then fired into the Wissmach luminescent 90-07 Light Grey transparent at only 1410°F (765°C) for 10 minutes. 

 

Dragon painted with Multi Pen Black on Wissmach Luminescent

Dragon painted with Multi Pen Black on Wissmach Luminescent

 

Dragon after firing.

Dragon after firing.

Just in case you want to know, where to get the Multi Pens or the Wissmach Glass. Please visit our Square Market and check out our products.