Taking Notes

One of my least favorite tedious studio tasks is taking careful notes. You’ll hear it from most glass artists “Be sure to write down your kiln schedules and take before and after pictures.” “Record your glass type and number for each project.” But it’s oh, so tedious! In the midst of creating, who wants to stop and take notes?

But you know what? All of those glass artists are right. 

I made a very cool vitrigraph project that failed on the last firing. Huge bubbles that ruined the design. I know what happened (in my excitement I was rushing), and I was determined to try again. But I was so disappointed with the failure that I couldn’t seem to revisit the project without remorse. 

Finally, months later, I was ready. 

But after all this time I couldn’t remember which blue I used. Was it midnight blue transparent or deep royal blue? Or something else?

Notes to the rescue! 

For each vitrigraph pot I write down the glass type/number, the number of layers, and any other pertinent details. Then I take a picture of the page next to the stack using my phone and the image auto-uploads to the cloud. Now I have a paper and digital record, just in case I want to re-create a project, successful or failed. 

How do you keep records? 

What? You don’t? 

It’s time to start. 

Centering on a Stainless Steel Slumping Mold

Trying to center an opaque fused glass piece on a round slumping mold is always a challenge. Here’s a way to center your piece using a ring mold, a level, and a Sharpie.

Preventing bubbles with the Patty Gray Dam Mold

In addition to the tips in the video, don’t forget to put the mold on three 1/2-inch posts very close to the edge of the mold. You need to have air circulate under the mold. I use the recommended firing schedule thoughtfully provided by Creative Paradice, Inc. (CPI), but for vitrigraph pieces I fire a bit hotter.

Join the squirrel in Winston Salem November 20-21, 2021

In-person shows are back! Mark will be participating in the Piedmont Crafter’s Fair in Winston-Salem, NC on Saturday and Sunday November 20-21, 2021. Stop by booth J8 and visit if you’re in the area. Here is a preview of some of the pieces you might see.

GreenHill Center for NC Art — Winter Show

The Squirrel is proud to be invited to participate in Winter Show at Greensboro’s GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art.

View the show catalog (works by Screaming Squirrel Glass begin on page 157) or visit the gallery between Dec. 6, 2020 and Feb. 7, 2021.

Using Float Glass as a Kiln Shelf for a Smooth Bottom

In our last video we briefly discussed using float glass as a kiln shelf to get a nice smooth bottom on your art glass. In this video we go step by step through the process.

What's Involved

Ever wonder what’s involved in making of a piece of fused glass art? There’s a bit more to it than just throwing glass into a kiln. It is a process of many steps and many hours.

Follow Mark as he walks you through the process of creating a piece of art from a pattern bar. Steps include grinding the pattern bar, sawing into slices, fusing the pieces, sandblasting, powder-polishing, and finally slumping. Stick around until the end of the video to see the final result.

How to identify tempered glass

Tempered (sometimes called safety) glass is designed to break into small pieces, minimizing the danger of getting cut. When buying a piece of glass at a thrift store or finding scrap at a yard sale, it can be difficult to tell if the glass is tempered. This video shows an easy way to use two pieces of polarized film and a light source to determine if the glass is tempered.

The Squirrel has a new nest!

After years of having kilns in the house (in the mudroom, the dining room, and even the kitchen), cutting glass on the dining room table (do people still eat dinner at dining room tables?), storing glass and coldworking equipment on the wrap-around porch, the Squirrel finally has a dedicated and permanent nest!

Carolina Custom Builders provided expert contracting and building services, and other than a few weather delays the building went up quickly. Lots of space in the 22 x 30 workshop for everything (and room to grow. Squirrels can always use another kiln). Electric installation should start next week, then insulation and sheet rock, and we’ll be ready to move in. Stay tuned for more pictures of the inside. Until then, enjoy watching this fast-paced construction of the new studio (4:43).

Artist Talk on Feb 16, 2018

Mark discusses his process, inspiration, and work at this artist talk presented on February 16, 2018 at the Carol Woods Retirement Community in Chapel Hill, NC.

Stay in the lines

Want to keep your sharpie line in place when grinding or cutting glass  on a wet saw? Not sure what to use? This video gives you a low cost alternative. 

How to Remove a Frozen Grinder Bit

I used to have trouble removing frozen grinder bits from my Wizard glass grinder. The manufacturer had a great suggestion to drill out the stuck screw and remove the head with a faucet puller, which you can find at your local hardware store in the plumbing section. The tip was very helpful but I found it a little confusing. We hope this video helps you understand how to use this tool!

Visit the Squirrel November 6-8, 2015 in Raiegh, NC

Screaming Squirrel Glass will be in booth B-2 at the Carolina Artisan Craft Market presented by the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild.

This is the 46th annual event but this year there is a new date and location. Instead of Thanksgiving weekend at the NC Fairgrounds, the event will take place the first weekend in November (6-8) at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Meet over 110 artists, enjoy artists demonstrations and live music, and get an earlier start on holiday shopping.

Visit carolinadesignercraftsmen.com for more information and to view the list of artists who will be exhibiting.

Mark at the 2014 CDCG show.

A New Place to Visit the Squirrel!

A new place to visit the squirrel!

Screaming Squirrel Glass may now be found in Wilmington, NC at Spectrum Art & Jewelry Gallery (1125-H Military Cutoff Rd, near Landfall). Visit now to see dichroic pendants, and visit again in August to see larger pieces. The Squirrel is looking forward to frequent trips to the beach to replenish the stock.

My Featured Artist Show is Up!

Today was installation day for the Featured Artist Show “Not Alone” at the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts and the show looks great! The opening reception is Friday June 26th 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

Visit my home page to preview some of the work that will be on display through July 26, 2015. 

The gallery is open 7 days a week, and I'll be working Thursday June 25th 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Thursday July 2nd 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Friday July 3rd 10:00 am - 1:30 pm, and Monday July 13th 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Stop in and visit!

I Melt Bottles!

I Melt Bottles! 

There. I said it. And I’m not embarrassed by it at all.

I’ve been told by more than one glass artist that there is no art in melting bottles, and that melted bottles aren’t art or worthy of a glass artist’s time. But I’m here to tell you that’s just not true.

This post isn’t a tutorial on how to melt bottles; it’s an explanation of why you should melt bottles.

Melting bottles can help you learn how to program your kiln and create your own schedules. It can teach you how glass behaves at different temperatures; the benefits of kiln wash and fiber paper, especially if you’re melting bottles with painted surfaces.  Bottles can be melted flat, melted partially standing to make Daliesque sculptures or vases, or even broken into pieces then cast.

One advantage of melting bottles is the low materials cost, and you can drink the contents. Bonus! Bottles come in all shapes and colors and can be purchased almost anywhere. You don’t need a wholesale account, aren’t restricted by 9–5 retail hours, and don’t need a warehouse or loading dock to receive or store them.

When I first started fusing glass, I thought it was fun to melt bottles and they sold well at $20 each (and still do).

Admittedly, $20 isn’t a lot of money but it’s perfect for what we do with the proceeds. You see, we don’t melt bottles for profit; we melt them to be able to help those less fortunate. For $20 we can buy a used backpack from a thrift store, fill it with some essentials, and give the full backpack to a homeless person.

Let me breakdown the contents:

Contents ready to be packed into two backpacks.

Backpacks ready to go.

Used Backpack from a thrift store in good shape (a new one is a target for theft)
A hat and gloves and maybe a scarf (also from a thrift store)
Peanut butter
Crackers
Cans of potted meats and tuna
Juice boxes
Boxes of raisins
Bottles of water
Granola bars
Applesauce
Toilet paper
Personal wipes
A bar of soap
Razor
Deodorant
Kleenex
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Hairbrush or comb
A small first aid kit

 So don’t be afraid to melt bottles, and certainly don’t be bullied by some “Artist” who says it’s not art or there’s no value in it. It has value for those that benefit. Remember: it’s your kiln, do what you want to with it! 

Hacking a Morton system to cut strips of glass

Hack your Morton Cutting System to cut strips faster! It's no secret that I love strip construction projects. What you may not know is that it used to take me hours to cut strips using my Morton System. Don't get me wrong, I love my Morton System. It gives me a nice straight and accurate cut just about every time. It just takes a long time to cut a large pile of 1/4 " or 3/8" strips because I have to measure and set up the system for every half cut. It's time consuming. 

I kept thinking that there must be a better way to cut strips using the system that I already have. That thought just rolled around in my old (and getting older) brain for a long time. Then one day I had an AHA! moment and "P00F" I hacked my Morton System and am now able to cut strips in no time at all. How much faster is it than the old way? It would have taken me more than an hour to cut 30 1/4" x 10" long strips and I can now do that many in about 10 minutes. Yes that's right. 10!

I'll bet you're just itching to see how it's done so you can speed up your cutting, too! Just click on the video below and I'll show you 2 different ways!

As always, thank you for taking the time to visit Screams of the Squirrel and if you have any suggestions or comments please post them below. 

3 days of CDCG in 5 minutes

A short little time lapse video of the CDCG show from booth K2. Notice the camera in the background over my right shoulder? 

Screaming Squirrel Glass featured on NC Arts website

One of the Screaming Squirrel Glass coral bowls is featured on the NC Arts Everyday website in an announcement about this weekend's Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild show. Come on out to booth K-2  and say Hi! Visit the site to learn more about other exciting art events in North Carolina. 

http://ncartseveryday.org/2014/11/artful-holidays-2014/

Thanksgiving Weekend 45th Annual Fine Designer Crafts Show

Join me November 28-30, 2014 in Raleigh, NC at the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild show. I'll be showing new work in booth K2. Here's a glimpse of what you'll see:

Friday 4-7 pm (preview show for Friends of the Guild)

Open to the public: Friday 7 pm - 9 pm 
                                 Saturday 10 am - 6 pm
                                 Sunday 11 am - 5pm