Ceramics I students started glazing this week. We talked about the components of glaze (glass, clay, metal, flux and water) and how these materials affect the function of the glaze. For instance, glass is the component that seals the surface of the ware, making it food safe, but the fluxing agent is what brings the melting temperature of the glass down so that it melts and flows. Without flux, the glass does not vitrify at our C/5 firing temperature (about 2250 F). Metals (also in combination with flux) add color and visual texture. Clay helps the glaze to 'fit' the ware, shrinking at a rate more similar to the pot than glass alone, which would flake off or display other adhesion challenges. Students were really excited to start glazing. Glazes in the bucket don't look anything like what they end up like, so we are anxiously awaiting the glaze firings:
Jewelry I students worked on finishing edges and faces on their pendants this week, and also on creating and soldering on the bails. The challenges in this step are understanding the levels of solder (hard, medium, easy, and extra easy) which melt at progressively lower temperatures. The solders melt in a range between 1100 F and 1400 F with hard being the 'hardest' to melt, and easy being the 'easiest' to melt. Once students understand this concept, they apply the knowledge by using hard solder to bond the bail shape (a 'p') closed, then after shaping the 'p' so that it will flow into the back of the pendant, they solder it on with medium, and attempt to prevent the previous join from melting. This is particularly challenging because the bail is very small and the pendant comparatively large, and students must also use an extra hand (a steel tweezer) to hold the pieces together while soldering. Also, the pendant takes a significant amount of energy to heat and the extra hand acts as a 'heat sink' pulling heat away from the joint. The good news (shhhh!) is that the pieces won't fall apart of the students heating strategy is spot on (like it will in our upcoming project-the stone set ring), so it's good practice in intermediate soldering skills. Here's some more info about soldering
Jewelry II students continued work on their passion project, and on their mid-term. Students are collecting images of all their works to date (and attempts) and posting them in a gallery on their weebly page, then completing a reflection on what they've learned to date. The mid-term is due Monday by midnight. Check out your child's progress! You can find your child from my pinterest board 'student blogs'.
Several students also worked on flat peyote stitch this week for their Passion Project. They learned how to create a button hole, how to add fringe and how to add a button. Here's an example of a finished bracelet:
Several students also worked on flat peyote stitch this week for their Passion Project. They learned how to create a button hole, how to add fringe and how to add a button. Here's an example of a finished bracelet: