Saint Paul Craft Mafia: Kitchen

Images are in Flickr now... take a look!

Things I Have Learned

1. My kiln has 2 relays (switches).
2. Relays last approximately 32,000 "clicks" (or was that 23,000?!).
3. One of my kiln's relays quit, causing one of the two elements to not fire.
4. Running a kiln twice with only a single element firing can cause problems including, but not limited to, melting of electrical outlets and plugs as well as oozing of weird substances from plug prongs.
5. New relays cost approximately $20 and I can replace them myself.
6. I'm back in business!
   

Exhibit: Textile Center

My craft partners in crime, the St Paul Craft Mafia, and I will have an installation at the Textile Center in Minneapolis. While this event isn't yet listed on the Textile Center Hall Displays, it will run from Monday, August 20 through Saturday, September 1. Stop by to see our kitchen!

I am contributing some slumped bottles, fused dishes, and one very fugly chicken stained glass panel. I firmly believe that every kitchen needs a chicken.

Kiln Hospital

My trusty side-kick, Jen-Ken AF3P 15-6, is sick. Today she goes into the kiln hospital. Hopefully it's just her cord that needs to be replaced. I won't know for a week if she'll make a full recovery. Keep her in your thoughts or there won't be any fused Christmas tree ornaments this year!

Nevermind

Argh! My kiln is dead and I have no eyes for my State Fair robot. Timely timing though.... my kiln warranty expires on September 5.

I'm rethinking the whole procrastination bit. Unforeseen technical issues really get in the way.

Birth of a Robot

You may be wondering what this horrible looking thing is. Worry not, you are simply witnessing the magical birth of a robot. Underneath that thin layer of numbered paper pattern lies (lays? sits....) 63 pieces of glass. What color will it be? How will it look? Will its eyes really be bugging out of its head like that? I'm not telling. You'll have to check back to find out.

Applied! No Coast Craft-o-Rama

Ye olde application is in for the 2007 No Coast Craft-o-Rama. All the cool kids will be there. Cross your fingers that I will be one of them! Applicants will be notified by September 15. I don't have enough nail to bite until then.

MN State Fair... Here I Come

The MN State Fair Creative Activities judges should brace themselves. I'm throwing my hat into the ring and entering category "661 Glass, stained and leaded, 1 ft. to 2 ft. high". I have committed to making a stained glass robot.

I have until Sunday to produce said robot.

I have a pattern cut.

Hmm.