Hot Manipulation - Flames
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The molds for the Flames are made of hundreds of individual pieces of steel that are arranged on a hot marver. After the first ladle has been poured into the mold, the inclusion with the images is laid into the pattern and covered with more glass (example). |
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Once the casting is on the punty it is re-heated and the cracks are fused and healed. After more re-heats I sift powdered glass onto the edges and sides of the piece, being careful not to obscure the interior images (example). |
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| When I am satisfied with the color application, I heat the piece until it becomes very floppy. I use the natural tendencies of the material to help give the piece it's final shape. Especially on the larger pieces this can be quite a challenge. It is like having a 3 foot long, 50 lb. fish at the end of a 6 foot spear (example). | 
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When the piece is done, we crack it off the pipe and place it into the annealer. |
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© Copyright 1999 by Vitroglyph, Inc.™ and Henner Schröder |
