Make your own marbling combs

While I love the marbling comb that Amaco makes - sometimes, I just want something different. I've got a video in the works to show you what to do with the marbling combs, but here's one to show you how to make your own.....any size!

A better way to cut Friendly Plastic Strips

I can't believe how time flies. Did you have a great Thanksgiving? I've got more videos for you!

In this video, I show you my improved cutter for Friendly Plastic strips. You can get them narrow, straight....with no effort at all. I think we've got it near perfect!

Fusing Friendly Plastic Strips

Well, I did promise a bunch of 5 minute videos! If you have something else you want to see how it's done, just let me know!

This video is going to show you several things. It will show you how to fuse strips using the griddle method. I'll show you how I use finger cots because my fingers just can't handle the heat. I show you how to tap strips together. And then I show you how to eliminate bubbles.



So, just watch this 3 or 4 times and you should be able to fuse your own Friendly Plastic strips together. What fun!!!

Friendly Plastic cutting system

I've come up with a great way to cut your Friendly Plastic into strips - both 1/4" and 1/8" with very little effort. Using a Logan Mat cutting system.



this system will run you about $30 - when it's half off at Hobby Lobby. But....I've made a modification that I'll try to share in the next few days that will get you TWO systems! And I like my modified cutting system even better! Sure beats using a knife and a ruler!

Friendly Plastic Pellets - video - make your own tools

I really do have the most wonderful hardware store in the world! McGuckins. It's in Boulder, Colorado. You can spend days inside this store. Not to mention when they put up the giant tent and have a sidewalk sale!

And....they carry Friendly Plastic pellets. Now, why on earth would a hardware store sell pellets? Well, take a look at my video and you will see!



I showed this to Kerry, who has been playing with micro electronics this week. He proceeded to melt some pellets and form a ball on top of some mini lights. When he plugs it into his circuit board, the plastic ball lights up! LOL!

When he gets it "perfected" - I'll video that. But you know guys - do they ever get anything "perfect"? I imagine he will be playing with pellets for some time to come. I may have to put them under lock and key!!!

Friendly Plastic Pellets - video

What do they look like?
How do you know when they are melted?
How can you tell when the water is too hot?
How do you add color to them?
Can you make them glitter?

All these are questions that have been emailed to me, so as promised....here's a video explaining all that and more!




Up next....why my local hardware store carries Friendly Plastic Pellets!!!

Silver on glass

So, if you learn my technique, you can also successfully fire silver on top of glass, have it sink into the glass.....and yep! NO silver stain!!! Rhonda made a couple of really fun pieces here:

She used mini punches for everything. Now, keep in mind, most of these are about the size of a quarter.


And she also made some gorgeous cabachons using 3 or 4 layers of mixed glass:

For this last one, she punched the hearts in a fairly new product - dichroic water slides. You punch them, soak them in water, slide them on to the glass (or between layers of glass as we did here) and fire them together.

What an unusual look, huh? Definitely one-of-a-kind:

I can't remember for sure, but I think she made about 15 pendants total in our 2 days of play - maybe more. What a great weekend! If you want to come play with glass and silver, just send me a note!