Step 1

1. The Vermiculite board can be cut with a jigsaw and/ or circular saw to the desired size.

2. Sketch your motif with a smooth pencil to the board.

3. Now you can start to work on it. Be carefull, the material is brittle and if you work with too much power you can take away too much.

Step 2

4. If the fish is roughly worked out you can go on with a fine sandpaper. So you can refine the edges and roundings can be worked out nicely. Make sure not to get undercuts! Otherwise the form can´t be used more than one time.

5. You can clean the surface inbetween with a vacuum cleaner (less power!)

Step 3

6. If you worked out the fish completely apply some shelf primer. 2-3 thin layers is working well. (Like casting and slumping molds)

7. Dry the mold at 200°C for 30 minutes.

Step 4

8. Now you cut the glass and place it onto your relief.

9. If you have many deep parts drill a few small holes to the deepest parts.

Firing cycle:

1. 90 Min - 500°C – 0 Min
2. skip - 790°C – 30 Min
3. skip - 520°C – 90 Min
4. 90 Min - 460°C – 30 Min
5. END

Step 1

1. For the turtelbacks you have to use a bigger piece of Vermiculite board and cut out small deppenings.

2. Take also fine sandpaper for getting smoother and finer surfaces.

Step 2

3. You will work here in a negative way- the underground is the upper surface after fusing. If you need some help to see how the glass will be: take some dough, press it into the mold and take it out carefully. So you can see how the surface will be!

4. If you are satisfied with it you can apply the shelf primer and dry it at 200°C for 30 minutes.

Step 3

5. Cut up the Fusing glass with a glass cutter/ pliers and fill a small amount into each part.

6. How much glass you need you can calculate: 1sqm glass with 1mm thickness weighs approx 2,5kg. For a size of 8x6cm = 0,0048sqm x 2,5kg = 0,012kg x desired thickness (here 6mm) = 0,072kg.

7. Fuse the Turtlebacks wit Casting temperature.

Firing cycle:

1. 90 Min - 500°C – 0 Min
2. skip - 810°C – 30 Min
3. skip - 520°C – 90 Min
4. 90 Min - 460°C – 30 Min
5. END

1. Build a box with Vermiculite board. 4 side parts, 1 bottom, than screw it together with stainless steel screws. Place 3mm fibre paper on the bottom and small stripes to the sides. Bow you have a melting box for massive glass objects!

2. Cut longer stripes and apply shelf primer. Use these as side limits. Combine them with the Hot Brix, 3557600ff.

3. You can also cut out positive forms- have a look at Jakobine´s cat!

4. For grinding you can also use a small hand engraving tool like a Proxxon 5170300.