BS: Mudcat Crafters

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Tracey Dragonsfriend
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 02:29 PM

Oops, that was me, didn't realise my cookie had gone...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 10:26 AM

Thought I'd bring this one back to the top since BWL has such variety and quantity of wood suddenly in his inventory (of dead and down wood, that is!). With a little networking, it might be possible for a small portion of his wood to be distributed by travelling Mudcatters to woodworking Mudcatters.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 10:34 AM

FYI: Here is the list of trees he lost in the hurricane, originally posted over on the MOAB thread



Okay. In fact, here are chunks of all the species of trees growing on my property that Hurricane Ivan uprooted, broke, split, crushed, or knocked over:

Slash Pine
Loblolly Pine
Spruce Pine
Longleaf Pine
Pond Pine
Southern Red Cedar
Laurel Oak
Turkey Oak
Water Oak
Post Oak
Southern Magnolia
Black Tupelo
Flowering Dogwood
Sweetbay
Sweetgum
Common Persimmon
Chickasaw Plum
Tulip Poplar
American Holly
Southern Bayberry
Florida Maple

And several others that I haven't identified.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Bill D
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 01:32 PM

wow...I had forgotten about this thread...No excuse, just old age and decrepitude. I get so wrapped up in DOING my work, I forget to market it, except in a tightly planned set of craft shows locally.

That is a fascinating list, SRS and BWL...I especially covet Persimmon (the bigger & older, the better), but all the Oaks, Maple, Dogwood and Holly can be quite nice. I don't expect to get to them, as wood usually 'checks' (cracks at the ends) and then rots, if not used or protected early on.....and I do have LOTS of wood already. It is nice to know what's there and to keep the topic alive...just in case. There will be a woodcollectors meeting in Florida (between Ocala & Orlando)in Feb....and 'if' I am able to attend..(23%) I might make side trips. I KNOW there will be tons of salvaged wood at the meeting.

I have made a resolution to get organized this year...right after the show season...*grin*...and see if I can tap into some of the resources mentioned here.

Thanks for remembering the thread... (those links to my stuff no longer work, but I will have more up soon....)

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 04:10 PM

BWL, as you clean up the area around all of your buildings, keep this group in mind and set aside the big intact pieces. Who knows, maybe you can sell or swap some of that wood before Mother Nature reclaims it.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 04:43 PM

I've talked with several area and regional wood turners at art & craft shows and they all have tree removal guys holding choice bits for them. They're mostly wanting non-indigenous fruit trees and such 'cause all the indigenous varieties are lying on the roadside for the taking. Good-sized pieces of cedar seem to be picked up just about as soon as they're put out.

I remember going to a show about a year after Hurricane Andrew went through south Florida and seeing some pieces the size of washing machines made from the big Norfolk Island pines which are so common down there. I don't imagine that's a tree that's way up on everybody's list of prime woodworking wood, but I guess availability leads to experimentation and the opportunity to work BIG is always enticing.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 12:58 AM

wow, I can't imagine Norfolk Island Pines that large! Mine is over ten years old and only stands about 3.5 feet with a trunk about the diamter of my two fingers. Of course, we have to grown them as inside houseplants here.:-)

I'd forgotten about this thread, too. nice to read it again.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 03:35 AM

"nice to read it again"

Yes but I still think...

Just another fine example of Mudcapathy....

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: kendall
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 11:09 PM

I don't know how many of you have seen Don Meixner's work, but I can tell you he is a real artist. He made Jacqui and my wedding rings with matching bracelets. If someone could post pictures, I'd e mail them.
The last time I wore a wedding ring it felt like I had stuck my hand into a fox trap, but these are so light I hardly know they are there.
'Stick your hand in that crack and you won't get it back, that's a Moray'

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 11:31 AM

ohhhhhhhh...big Norfolk Island Pine is wonderful stuff! I LOVED it the few times I had some. There is a guy in Hawaii, Ron Kent who turns almost nothing else!

drool..........

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 01:07 PM

Always good to mention this fine Mudcat Product from the past!!! Since it just came up in another thread, it was on my mind anyway.

Created by murray and inspired by Gordon Bok, the "Amish-Australian Pitchfork Moustache Tuner" is now available in 4 models and orders are being taken now. Be the FIRST in your session or local pub to possess this latest piece of musical gear. Works on beards too...or without them. You don't even have to have a moustache!!!

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"The Cherry Handled Nosepick Special" --- Our Top Seller! Stainless prongs and the special nosepick attachment bring you the best in singin' and pickin'!!!

"Gordon Bok Special Edition" --- commemorates the inspiration for this fine device $49.95 US


"Collector's Special" --- Brazilian Rosewood handle is inlaid with red and green abalone depicting an Amish Farmer being eaten by a Blue Pointer. $69.95 US


"Environmentalists Delight"(Big ED) --- Cheap oak handle with the Amish Hat logo inlaid with glitter and Elmer's Glue. $29.95 US



If it says "Australian" its a "Must Have" and if it says "Amish" its got to be good!!! What could be better than the "Amish Australian Pitchfork Moustache Tuner?" GET YOURS TODAY!!! Send CASH ONLY plus $6.00 US Shipping and Handling to:

FLY-BY-NITE INDUSTRIES

411 Purvis Avenue

Bremen, Ohio 43107


ORDER NOW AND IT WILL BE SHIPPED THE NEXT DAY!!! This fine product can be on its way right away.....Whether or not it arrives is up to the god of your choice and Benny's Breakdown Bargain Courier Service. COMPLETE SATISFACTION OR YOUR MONEY BACK!!!!! Simply send back the product unused and Fly-By-Nite will return any of your money that is unused.

Spaw, CEO, Fly-By-Nite, Inc.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 11:40 AM

This is a long thread - I read the first few. Is there a site we can see all this stuff on in time for Christmas presents?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 12:05 PM

Weelittle Drummer - Just go to the "Mudcat Market" link in the Quicklinks. Several Mudcat artists and crafters have contact info there.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 12:07 PM

Several of them have contact info right here in this thread too...

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 01:26 PM

we...(Ferrara & I), regret that we have not gotten web connections and 'catalogs' set up this year...that is first on out list for next year. If you can get near Wash DC, we have two craft shows in the next 3 weeks...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 12:21 PM

Seems like a nice time to refresh this thread. What are 'catter's crafting nowadays?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: CarolC
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 01:11 PM

I'm working on painted canvas table mats (place mats, coasters, and table runners) painted in designs from and/or inspired by the Arts and Crafts school of design from the first half of the 20th century. The mats are made in the same way as painted canvas floor coverings, which are a kind of floor covering that dates back to the colonial era in North America, and was a precursor to linoleum floor coverings. I'm still in the design stage, and I don't have an inventory built up yet, but I hope to begin production very soon.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: CarolC
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 01:14 PM

Correction: I should have said the the Arts and Crafts school of design from the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 01:51 PM

I haven't been doing a lot, lately, waiting for health improvement, but I have enjoyed a new show on HGTV called Crafters Coast to Coast. Most of them craft at home and I've gotten some neat ideas for things to do when I have more energy. Some of them are kind of oddball or clunky and some are too involved for my situation, but they're still fun to watch.

I am sure Mudcatters would be more than qualified for inclusion on that show.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 02:08 PM

I agree--the few times I've watched some of that program there was a mix of really interesting and oddball-clunky stuff. They're trying to represent an array of tastes! I don't have patience to sit through the oddball stuff, so I don't think I've ever watched the program all of the way through (which tells you something right there).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: bbc
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 10:21 PM

I make jewelry of semiprecious stone beads & chips, as well as shell. I don't sell much, but will sometimes make something by request.

bbc in NY

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: bbc
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 10:23 PM

P.S.--If you are interested in seeing photos of a few necklaces I made as gifts for my recent Korean trip, PM me your email address & I can send them to you.

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: John Hardly
Date: 24 Apr 05 - 10:26 AM

As a rule, I don't enter competitions (I won't bore you with why) but I did enter the Strictly Functional Pottery National this year. If you go down to the fourth artist listed, John Bauman, and click on the photo, you'll see one of my recent pots.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Apr 05 - 10:35 AM

John, they must have added some photos. It's there but a little farther down, in the 13th Annual's page, HERE.

It's beautiful!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Apr 05 - 11:54 AM

Nice pottery

I have been searching for a stone for 35 years.

It is a kind of opal in matrix that has a clear section you can look down into revealing what looks like reddish canyon walls.

Any help in buying such a stone from anyone here?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: John Hardly
Date: 24 Apr 05 - 12:44 PM

Thanks for the link correction, ~S~!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 Apr 05 - 01:15 PM

I spent last year making Christmas cards which raised £30 for the British Heart Foundation when I sold them at the school bazaar. This year I'm not at home so much (the medication worked and the dicky ticker has been fixed) but I'm still sewing several things at once and am presently making small gift boxes for a certain handfasting.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 12:29 PM

Donuel, rough in the boulder, or cut and polished? I've seen some good sources for all kinds of opals on google.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: GUEST,Ironmule
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 08:11 PM

Donuel, you want Mexican Opal in the matrix. It's commonly available at a lot of rock shops, and any gem show, besides online sources. I cut a bunch of it trying to make a set of earings for my Mother that matched an opal pendant I'd given her. I've got some at my elbow.

Opal is deposited in cavities in vocanic rock by superheated water, and the mexican localities are that soft red you refer to. The bad news from a jewelers viewpoint, is its softness and tendancy to crack. You won't have any trouble finding some though.

Jeff Smith

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Ironmule
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 08:27 PM

Looks like my cookie needed resetting. Lately I've been doing diamond point engraving of glass like shown here: at the Rijksmuseum but I don't have any images of my own work online.

It's neat that all you need is a $3 tungsten carbide scriber and some thrift shop crystal to produce beautiful works just like the museum pieces. Well,,,,if your hand is steady enough ;^)


Jeff Smith

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 06:42 PM

I've been doing mainly wheel-thrown pottery for years, but have recently gotten both a slab-roller and an extruder capable of making hollow forms. I'm looking forward to seeing in what kind of directions the new tools take my work.

I'm forseeing the possibility of some large sculptural pieces, especially since I have a large (roughly 40 cubic foot) kiln that I built several years ago. I've never fired it because it'd take too long to fill it up with the size ware I usually make. I'm wanting to load it with a dozen or so really big pieces and see if I can get to at least cone 6 using some of the firewood Hurricane Ivan made out of what used to be my trees.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 09:16 PM

Ironmule/Jeff, I hope you get some pictures of your work online, sometime. I'd love to see them!

Bee-dubya-ell, you, too! I am fascinated by sculpture.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: John Hardly
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 09:41 PM

Bruce,

I'm currently trying to fire dozens of rather large pieces in my two 20cu ft kilns. I could sure use 40 cu ft about now! I'm firing 5-6 gallon jars and 20 inch bowls and they overhang every shelf I have. I end up cantelevering everything in the kiln just to get it all to fit.

Good luck with the extruder. I just donated my expansion box extruder to the local college. The stainless steel one I have is small but suits whatever I might use if for at this point. I still pull handles and the only thing I did use it for was an item I'm not making right now.

I have has some REALLY good luck with textured bats to throw slabs on and then put them on the wheel to shape the bottom ( I attach thrown feet).

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: jacqui.c
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 09:42 PM

I've just taken up crochet again after a break of about 25 years. I'm having fun making shawls and ponchos at the moment - nowhere near Mmario's standard of work though!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 01:38 PM

I did a small search on some of these clay extruder devices. Seeing a photo of the device isn't helpful in trying to imagine what it is you're doing. And to use them, is there a brute-strength aspect when it comes to forcing clay through these things?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: John Hardly
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 09:25 PM

Ha ha! mine requires brute force. It has a warning sign on the handle: "do not hang from handle -- use soft clay".

My old expansion box extruder used to have a handle that looped around the mounting pole. The loop would grab the pole as long as it was never perpendicular to it. If it was perpendicular to the pole the loop was then bigger than the pole (d'oh!). The loop could then slip on the pole and all the force one was exerting on the soft (yeah, right) clay released with full force on whatever was beneath the handle. Like my head, for instance.

Many of the DE-luxe versions (as I'm sure BWL's would be. after all, he owns a Santa Cruz guitar. He's a boo-teek man) are electric driven. To drive enough clay to make hollow pieces it almost requires it.

Expansion boxes are kinda cool though in that they actually have to divide the clay into four parts that get forced back together as they pass the die. They have to do that because the center part of the die still needs to be attached to the outer part of the die -- but not where it would divide the piece. I didn't describe that well.

Anyway, many a potter has bought an expansion box looking at the cool (and perfect photos) of pots beind spit out in perfect forms -- cylanders, octagons, fluted pieces.

Unfortunately, what you don't see from the photos is the the clay is still VERY soft and pliable as it comes out. It requires almost more care and finishing than throwing. If the design is worth the extra effort some pretty cool stuff can be done.

Every year Kohler Ceramics opens up their industrial ceramic facility to a few scholarship folk who get to have their hand at creating with the tools at Kohler -- things like huge industrial extruders that can extrude huge cylanders. I remember when I was a kid (in my 20's) Ceramics Monthly did a cool photo shoot from the Kohler experience -- young men and women with life-size pots, created and fired with equipment they'd never in their lifetimes ever get to enjoy like that again. Kinda like getting a chance to jam with the Beatles (or Tony Rice or Tim O'Brien -- you know -- a dream).

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jun 05 - 11:50 AM

This is such a handy thread! Since replacing the stolen computer I've been struggling to replace my missing bookmarks. I was able to catch up with several I needed by perusing this thread.

I'm back to some of the bead work I was starting a couple of years ago. This goes in cycles.

I wonder if our Ms. Katlaughing is doing some sedentary creative crafts these days as she recuperates?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 01:05 PM

Checking in, to see what folks are up to. Katlaughing, what are you working on these days?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 02:35 PM

Thanks for asking, SRS. Not much, though this week is exactly six weeks into healing and I finally am able to get my head around even thinking of doing something. Night Owl keeps after me to take up tatting, but I had an aunt who was ordered by her doc to give it up or lose her eyesight, so I don't know if that's something I want to do, though I don't think it'd do much worse than threading tiny beads on a string!

I do have lots more writing to get back to, plus real marketing of my book, and may try my hand at some more watercolour, but the latter is just for fun, I wouldn't show it. I have been designing some jewellry in my mind, but need a metalsmith to put it together sometime. Need to find someone who would like to collaborate on that as people really seem to like my design sketches.

Now you've got me thinking and that's a good thing!**bg** Thanks and what are you up to these days, craft-wise? That's neat that you found some old bookmarks. Yea, Mudcat!

katcomingbackslowlybutsurely

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Tracey Dragonsfriend
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 09:01 AM

Sounds fascinating, Kat - do you have a site where we can see your work?

I'm still pyrographing, and have a site all my own now, too! At www.scorchpyro.co.uk

Tracey Dragonsfriend (Scorch)

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 09:47 AM

Great minds think alike, Kat!

I've been looking through online catalogs for various findings and have about come to the conclusion that I either need to learn some metallurgy myself or need to talk to a practitioner willing to humor me regarding the pieces I'd like to craft or have made. In particular, I finally found the perfect way to hold a crystal for jewelry, but I haven't figured out what it's called (it is a sort of sterling silver collar with knobs for the bail to attach to) or how to make them fit each particular rock. It's probably a trial and error custom to each crystal process. One I'd like to learn. I'd also like to learn how to make some of the interesting bails I've seen on pendants.

See if this link works at eBay to take you to the piece I'm talking about. I bought it (all of 99 cents) so I could get a closer look at it. This crystal is too perfect and polished, but that part doesn't matter. It's the silver portion that interests me.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 09:54 AM

Thanks iron mule.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 11:32 AM

Thanks, Tracey and congrats on your site! I don't have any of my former jewellry stuff online, anymore, but once in a while I put a simple "Y" necklace up in the Mudcat auction.

SRS, take a metalsmithing/jewellry design class if you can. I took it for a year at the local college in Casper and while I think the teacher focussed too much on finesse of design and not enough on the actual mechanics (plus she was a purist, so hardly any power tools could be use for the work which proved too hard on my shoulders), it was STILL a fantastic class and I learned a lot. I have a pair of earrings I need to have finished.

The link worked fine. It is my experience that with someone to show you how and some practice, it wouldn't take you long to be able to make those. I see them at all of the rock shops and fairs I go to.

The other thing I took which I LOVED was bronze-casting, but enamelling is my real love because I get instant gratification. Now, I just need to save up and get a tabletop kiln for doing small pieces. I'll put up a picture or two of the fish tiles I did.

Love this thread. Thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 12:03 PM

Okay, please keep in mind, these were two of the very first pieces I did in enamelling class. The dark green one actually cooked too long, but we decided it was kind of cool. My teacher thought it looked like a fossil. The other is realy elementary, but I love the blue. The neat thing about enamelling is you can redo it, very easily, just adjust and throw it in the kiln again!

Here ya go: craftwork.

(Oh, they are small tiles.)

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 12:47 PM

Kat, is enamel baked onto a tile durable?

It makes perfect sense that this kind of crystal collar, whatever it is called, would be around at rock shops and such. I just don't know what to call it or I'd be able to do a search and figure them out. I'll poke around some online rock shops later and see what I can find in the odds and ends. Thanks for pointing me in that logical direction. I agree, taking a class in metal-working would be the best solution.

I've been clearing out and reorganizing our craft area during the past couple of weeks. I'm finding old projects, some finished and needing a frame, others works-in-progress, and then there are those things that are an accumulation of materials but the project never started. I think it's time to either do them or put them in a garage sale.

The kids will walk in the door any minute now, and I'd like to have some of this stuff out of sight if I don't plan to keep it. They're even worse packrats than I am, and might take it out of the trash or the garage sale pile again if they see some of the discards.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 02:12 PM

Well, it seems to be, on copper tiles, at least, SRS. Those have been dropped several times and, in class, we had a lot of mishaps, but no real breakage that I recall. I didn't get to work with them but they also have enamel watercolours which are baked on the same way. I have one my friend did of a winter scene by a river. Really remarkable stuff to work with and quite beautiful.

As near as I can tell and remember, the thing you are talking about for crystals is just called a "swivel or fixed mount."

If you don't already know about them, I'd recommend getting Rio Grande's catalogue;

taking a look at Lapidary Journal (I found a subscription well worth it, at the time);

and, getting a catalogue from Fire Mountain Gems.

Sorry if any of these are repeats from back when.:-)

Also, this doesn't look like the same cover as the book we used in class, but I know it is the same author. This would be an excellent book to get if you are really interested in knowing and learning more about metalsmithing, imo: The Complete Metalsmith by Tim NcCreight. That link goes to Amazon where you may look through some of the pages.

Have fun! My sister got rid of oodles of over-the-years craft projects last year when she packed up her house to store while she went to Alaska. Did well at a garage sale, too!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 04:05 PM

I retreived those links from this very thread earlier in the week, so I'm all set. And I guess, from all of the fishing gear I handled over the years, that I should have been able to figure out the "swivel" part. Oh, well. Yes, that's what I was looking for, and though I'd poked around at Rio Grande, I hadn't found it. I'll look through those later.

I've just finished re-configuring the wire shelves in my craft room. Moved the bottom shelf up enough to put buckets and baskets under it, then the six shelves are for various bulky home maintenance (paint, etc.) and craft (boxes of yardage) stuff. This will free up floor space in my laundry room and the entire bottom shelf in my long cupboard. Heaven forbid I throw anything out to accomplish the same effect!

Trash day is tomorrow. What are the odds that the children will voluntarily clean their rooms, fill bags with trash, then take them down to the curb and deposit them in the same can where the discarded craft stuff is? Right. I think I'm safe once that stuff is in the can at the curb!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: Tracey Dragonsfriend
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 08:57 AM

Hey, Kat, they're very nice! Beautiful colours, and I like the fossil-y look too.

And I know what you guys mean about the STUFF! I bought a job lot of wooden blanks recently, and now I can't move! I use a corner of the dining-room to do pyrography and other crafts, plus an old table any my PC desk, and now there's boxes stacked just everywhere. Including in front of the radiator, and that's not gonna work past October or so...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: GUEST,Stilly River Sage, in through the back door
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 10:33 AM

Kat,

What I meant by durable has to do with the bond. When it's heated it makes the enamel hard, but does it also make it stick indelibly to the tile? You said something about fixing it later--which makes me wonder if you can scrape it off? I know that when you apply paint to plastic, like painting a company logo on a plastic drink cup, that the paint can scratch off. But if you use paint (probably a different sort, but I don't know) on a mug and bake it for however long, that ink is there permanently. (I learned this in my newspaper days when I interviewed the owner of a new company setting up to print promotional items and containers). So is there a type of paint perhaps or a type of tile (or glaze on that tile) that works to bond it all together permanently?

Part two to that question--you've probably seen the tiles in gift shops and the airport, etc. that have a three-dimensional look because the paint is beaded on the tile surface. It is a low-profile contour that makes the colors stand out all the more. How is that achieved? Could you do it with your "fossil" tile by using a thicker mix of your paint and letting it dry that way before baking?

Just curious. I don't think I'm getting into tile painting now. But I am considering tiling my porch in the future and a few accent tiles would look good. You can buy all sorts, and just buying a few doesn't make them prohibitively expensive, but I'd like to have something unique to the house that speaks to the nature here. (I'd paint a few tarantulas and toads on tiles! I found a nice spider, but it's a mosaic, which isn't bad either.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Crafters
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 06:19 PM

Tracey, thanks! If I ever find the other pieces, mine and my friend's, I'll post them, too. Your projects sound like fun, too!

SRS, I think we might be talking about two different kinds of tiling. Painting them, to me, means clay tiles which are then fired and yes, the colours are fixed permanently.

What I learned to do and still need to learn a LOT more about is more properly called "enamelling" in which glass is fused to metal using a kiln. We used copper tiles, cleaned them in "pickle" (an acid solution), then used a spray on glue/fixer before applying the sandlike glass colours. Each colour has to be done in a separate firing, but each one only takes about 1-3 minutes, sometimes more depending on size, etc. The beauty of it is kind of like watercolours. If you don't like the way it turned out, you can fiddle with adding more glass, more colour, etc., then fire it again.(Each time you heat it in the kiln, you can change it by how you place the powdered glass colours.)

One may also use forms of glass, for instance, the green tendrils of *seaweed* on the blue tile were just small rods of green glass which I cut to length and placed on the tile.
This might explain it better and has a gallery of some nice work.

As for the bumps, I do have one piece a friend did in which she used millefiori beads to create contour.

Good luck at keeping the kids outta the castoff bits!:-)

kat