Posted By Tara on February 26, 2010

The Hay Barn

I’ve been whining about having a workshop that is more comfortable than the corner of the garage. I freeze in winter, and I get eaten alive by bugs in the summer, no work space, cats get into everything… So, my husband and I have been going back and forth on how/where/when we can build/reuse something. After some debate (no money),  I gave the 20 yr. old. hay barn another look. As you can see, it’s a bit of a mess, but the roof is in good shape. There are several holes and rotting wood at spots in the floor (after I find the floor) that will need to be repaired, and the walls will be torn off and new siding installed. Don’t fret, the hay will be moved to a smaller shed. We don’t get large loads of hay, so the smaller shed will work out fine.

We have had it stuffed away in one of our small paddocks for the past 10 years. It was moved there after we had the new garage built. It had electric, but the panel was torn out during the move. Now we need to add it again. Good thing I work with a bunch of electricians (hint, hint). It even had a wood stove at one point. I’ll update more as I can. This will be more of a spring/summer project.

Workbench

The bale-string alien

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Posted By Tara on February 21, 2010

Galaxy Panel @ 2-21-10

Got back to working on the galaxy panel this weekend after dealing with epic snowstorms, lost dogs, and other odds-n-ends. Here it is. Currently working on the center details. The challenge has been where to end the lead and start the copper, along with trying not to break long curves. I found the trick is not go into this tense and angry, else the glass suffers. Then I plunge down into a spiral of more frustration, more broken glass…not good. And to top it off, I’m out of RedBull, which doesn’t help. After this curve-from-hell project, I’m gonna work on something quicky and easy with straight edges.

Category: Projects, Stained Glass Panel | No Comments »
Tags: galaxy, Stained Glass Panel

Posted By Tara on January 31, 2010

The Mosaic Experiment

During this chilly weekend with my equipment in a non-operational state, tons of scrap glass that sit idly by in plastic containers, and me trying to get something accomplished, it occured to me to try a mosaic. I googled Dalle De Verre (a stained glass mosaic technique) in an attempt to use up some of my scraps, and to experiment with an epoxy grout that was sitting in my bathroom (the bathroom has been another re-tile project). Not much information readily available. Huh.

If I used this technique there would be no need to grind. No need to cut. Well, it was  up to me to figure it out. Using some freezer paper my husband recommended to try, a glue stick (which is water soluble) and my grout I headed off to the garage (It was a warm 24 deg F!) This was a test run, so I didn’t fret too much working on the pattern. I would just throw some scraps together, then grout them.

I glued the pieces down on the freezer paper after I was somewhat satisfied with the layout, then rubbed in the grout by hand. Not too difficult. I rubbed off the excess with a sponge and let it dry for a few hours. Once it had set well enough, I laid it out in the sink and used a steel wool pad on it to remove the excess glue and grout. It got a little soft, so I let it dry out again before I picked it up again. It turned out pretty well. Now I wonder if my saw could cut out a shape, or trim it to make it a perfect square. Not sure how it would handle the grout.

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Tags: dalle de verre, Mosaic, scrap glass

Posted By Tara on January 30, 2010

Prairie Falcon ©2010

When I’m looking for references or just browsing photographs I’ll come across something that inspires me to develop a pattern around it. I ran across that very thing today. Credit goes to Rob McKay and his photograph of a Male Prairie Falcon  (http://robmckayphotography.com). I think this piece would need painted details to really bring out the beauty of the feathers. 

That’s one thing I’m working toward… a kiln. To paint glass, you need to paint “with” glass, then fire your pieces in a kiln. Glass on glass is permanent.

So I need to save up and work towards the kiln purchase. Which means I need to grind out some items to sell. Off to the garage….

Category: General Chit-Chat, Patterns | No Comments »
Tags: bird, falcon, Stained Glass, wings

Posted By Tara on January 28, 2010

Working on the Ents, but they keep ending up more complicated than I mean them to be. These pattern books are supposed to be simple and easy, darn it. Alas, the trees will probably be more for the advanced glass cutter. I try to remove a line, then start cringing *no! that doesn’t look right!* 

 I like playing with the glass variations on them too. For the “screamer”, I liked the combo blue/brown. Looks like a tree being absorbed by the Borg (Star Trek reference). Of course you can make them into whatever you want using your own glass selection.

<<–The “Borg”/”Screamer” Ent ©2010 Tara Latocha

So, if you are still learning the craft I’ll try to get some easier patterns made. I keep thinking about

things I like, then go crazy. La-de-da… add a line here….and there…. oh crap!

Here’s a peek at another one still being worked out… “Wise Ent” ©2010 Tara Latocha –>>

Category: Copper Foil - General, Patterns | No Comments »
Tags: ent, Stained Glass, tree