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Sunday, July 02, 2006

Faux Dichroic Glass (Part 3)

Today we continue to the final part in the series.

And it's HOT....HOT......HOT today - already 28C and it's only 9am ! So ensure you have a refreshing Summer drink (or two) to hand !!

Ensure that your heat source, which needs to be flat and horizontal, is heated to 160 degrees C.

STEP 1

  1. Take a piece of seawashed glass and place on the heated surface for 30 seconds
  2. Sprinkle a small amount of clear UTEE onto the top surface of the glass (which will now be VERY HOT)
  3. Allow the UTEE to melt (this can be easily seen) the UTEE does not have to totally cover the piece - less is best
  4. Place a piece of metallic heat transfer sheet or ribbon with the metallic side down onto the non-stick craft sheet and weight it at the ends so its stays flat
  5. Carefully slide a heat resistant spatula under the hot glass and tip over onto the foil sheet so that the molten UTEE is in contact with the foil and press the base of the glass lightly with the spatula. Allow this to cool and then peel the glass off the foil. The foil should have adhered to the UTEE. This will become your new working surface. Don't worry if the foil covering is not perfect, it doesn't matter.
STEP 2
  1. Prepare all your additions & inclusions in advance (because you will need to work quickly)
  2. Take your foiled piece of glass with the foil on the top and place onto the heat source again to remelt the UTEE
  3. Add a small amount of clear UTEE to the centre of the piece and wait till it melts to cover it
  4. Cut your choice of fantasy film into small strips and then place 2 or 3 pieces of the film onto the molten UTEE
  5. Scoop small amounts of your coloured UTEE onto the piece in a pattern of your choice, allow to melt
  6. Scoop metallic/pearl/interference/sparkle embossing powders, bedazzles, mica etc. very sparingly where you want them on the surface and allow to be absorbed into the molten surface
  7. Finish off by adding more clear UTEE from the centre which will flow to the edges and blend colour and content as it does. You should have a perfectly smooth and shiny surface at this stage - no bumps or lumps
  8. Use the spatula to carefully slide under the piece and keeping it horizontal (to avoid the molten UTEE running off !) place onto the non stick craft sheet until totally cool.
Wipe the excess molten UTEE off the heat surface with a kitchen towel, taking care not to burn yourself.
You then have your finished piece which can be mounted on collage, altered art, or used as a jewellery piece with suitable findings added. The effects that can be achieved are endless and all are brilliant, breathtaking & exciting !!!

TIPS
  • Prepare all your required items before you start
  • Work quickly
  • Have some idea of your expected colour way before you start
  • Ensure that your work surface is well protected from the heat
  • Experiment with different materials as inclusions (sequins, mica powder) you never know the effect until you have tried it
  • Use inclusions very sparingly or you can overload the piece
  • I recommend using a stainless artists spatula as my spatula (it's thin and slips under the piece very easily) the cooled UTEE can easily be removed from it
  • Try using black or coloured UTEE to adhere the metallic foil intead of clear
  • Opalised effects can be achieved with less colour but pearl embossing powders
  • Don't expect every piece to be to your liking - trial and error is the name of the game
 Now back to that refreshing Summer drink Hic !!!!!!!!

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8 comments:

  1. I am very, very, lucky to have a piece of Sid's beautiful glass, and this technique is well worth the try!

    Kym

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  2. Hi, I have been trying to get the items to make these dichroic pieces and I am not having luck with the metallic heat transfer sheet.....i have almost everything else.....could you tell me where to buy these items....i have looked everywhere......thanks i am very anxious to try this.....Sandy

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  3. Tonertex Foil, Glue Dots Foil and Scrapito Foil are all available online and at craft shops. Good Luck with your endeavours.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sid....Thanks a million! Our local craft stores have no idea what I am talking about...I have had to buy most of my stuff from ebay because I can't find it anywhere...your things are totally amazing!! I caught this bug on Carol Duvall show...now I am obsessed with creating these....your carnival glass pieces are also amazing would like to try and figure that out as well...is there a craft book for these projects?? If not you should create one..Thanks again!! Sandy

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  5. Great technique. I'd like to try it on a larger surface. Do you think it would work as well on etched glass?

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  6. Great results! However, I do not understand how using the black or colored plastic to adhere the foil would change the effect. Is the plastic that adheres the foil not facing the rear of the stone? If so, how can it change the appearance?

    Thanks in advance.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks Anonymous,

    I gather you are referring to the UTEE being Black or Clear. If you use Black this gives a much darker effect once the foil is adhered. Remember that the foil does not completely cover the molten surface and allows the background to show through in places. What does show through when you have used black UTEE will then reveal the black colour instead of the clear. Hope this clarifies any confusion.

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  8. Hi Sid: great name you have...me too. i was named after my dad . as a young girl i wasn't fond of it, but i sure do appreciate it now. i love your faux dichroic glass...it also looks like opals. very good instructions and i'm sure i will be heating up my pot and making some.
    i'll be back often to check out your blog.
    Blessings, sid
    my blog: howmyartbeats.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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