My first fused glass pendants and cabs.

Heh, me too, but I'm not getting *nearly* the same results :)

I decided to try fusing with a MicroKiln (works in a microwave oven). So far, all I get is little flat-backed round domes. Pretty, but not very exciting.

Has anyone else tried fusing with a MicroKiln? Is there a secret to keep the glass from going round?

Cheers, Carla

JewelryArtist wrote:

Hi Carla,

I'm not familiar with the MicroKiln, but if it's going round, it's getting too hot. Can you check it as you go and cut down your time or temp?

I'm going to be trying it tonight and starting with a pre-heat, then less microwave time. I read somewhere else that folks who'd tried this kiln found it very hard to get controlled, consistent results; but I don't have anywhere to put a regular kiln (or funds to purchase ).

Thanks, Carla

Beadbimbo wrote:

I have a little kiln that's about as big as a dinner plate and maybe a foot tall. I can't remember if it's the Rapid Fire or the Quick Fire. I'd have to go look. I haven't used it lately, as I've been busy with other stuff, but it is a lot of fun.

Good luck! I'm sure with a little practice, you can get the results you want. Be sure to show us!

To get the edges to fire polish... I fire at 1450 for 10 minutes....

20 if I want them rounded.

Matthew

I'm using a MicroKiln - it's a little round container you put in a microwave for about 5-9 minutes. The inside temp heats up to about

1450-1650 degrees, depending on microwave wattage and power.

You can see it here -

Cheers, Carla

JewelryArtist wrote:

And, good to see you!

Maren HiloBeads: Beads - Beading Supplies - Hand-made Jewelry

Blog at:

Love the pendants - very colorful and pretty!

I just got some more cabs done tonight. I am going to be rephotographing my work. I don't like the current pictures. The pics are missing that something to make them pop.

Matthew

I've never heard of this before. Are you having results you like now? Glass "wants to be round", so will turn into little flat bottomed round domes whenever they can.

Has anyone else used one of these? Looks like it can be used for PMC too. How can you fire metal in a micro wave?

What did you pay for yours? I'd guess that you would save the cost of it in electric bills in a very short time. This is pretty exciting. How controllable is it?

Tina

I actually had four pieces come out pretty decent last weekend. On one piece, the ceramic paper crawled up around the edge and stuck to the back; so I used a silver Krylon leafing pen to paint the back, then added a beaded bezel. I'll post pics in my flickr account later today.

The outside of the kiln is the same material that's used in Hot Pots, but it has this black inside lining (not sure what the material is). My understanding is that the inside lining is actually what heats up to the required fusing temp.

I had seen the kiln in a catalog from Delphi Glass, then went searching on Ebay; cost $99.00, but it's a small one; will only hold pieces up to two inches. There's a larger one available for about $150.

Not very controllable, at all, I'm afraid :) It's all trial and error. But it has given me a taste of fusing so I know it's something I'd like to pursue. I've heard there are table top kilns that run on household current; the thing is my household current is so wonky, it would mean not running anything else while the kiln is on.

In any case, I'm glad I got it :)

Cheers, Carla

Here's one (decided to not be lazy and search for it myself rather than ask ):

I like the amber one best, but that's me and my colors. Maren HiloBeads: Beads - Beading Supplies - Hand-made Jewelry - got new seabeans, but I think tonight I'll do some jewelry rather than spend another evening drilling. Finally bite the bullet and try crimping. -

Carla, I really like the beaded bezel dichro cab.

The clear beads are perfect for it. The cab is like a magic widow encased in frost or froth. I took a course a few years ago on glass fusing and PMC, and LOVED it! Especially the PMC part. I even bought a Hot Pot, though I didn't get much use from it, and then gave it to Sooz. I'd love to do some of that again. Different types of PMC can be used for different applications, including a lower firing one that can be fired with glass cabs. I think that MicroKiln is something I'd like to try. $100 would not be too much to risk. Even if it's hard to control it should work for some real basic PMC stuff. After all PMC can be fired with a hard torch, by someone other than me! And if I could make a few basic fused puddles, that would probably be good enough for me too.

But what about metal in the micro wave oven? Someone told me metal doesn't arc in microwaves anymore, but mine is pretty old.

What more have you done?

Tina

Thanks, Tina :)

I did read that the MicroKiln can be used with PMC, but I haven't tried it. Unfortunately, PMC is kinda pricey for experimenting with .

Haven't done anymore yet, but I hope to get back to it this weekend. I bought a bunch of different colors of frit, and cut down a strip of dichro, and some pieces of stringer to play with.

I'll post pics when I'm done (or hide away in shame, depending on the results ).

Cheers, Carla

Christ> Carla, I really like the beaded bezel dichro cab.