The First Fusings

Yesterday I undertook my first fusing firing. While relatively simple, it was not without its moments. For instance. How do you get the program on? I finally did, but I have no idea how I did it. And the quick cool to 960 degrees. How do you get it down to that temperature without causing the controller to jump to the next step? As soon as you close the lid, it jumps back up in temperature. (Lee informed me that he cools it to below 1300, shuts the lid and lets the rest cool on its own). Or after my panic attack and placing the program on hold, how do you get it back on track? I know it will get easier as I go on. The first is always the most nerve wracking.

I opened the kiln this morning and took out my first fusings. Are they good or bad? I have no idea. I guess it depends on what I was trying to accomplish. There were some things that I did note:

• As Lee said, you do need a lot of powder to make the colour noticeable. Would a white background glass be better?
• The gold leaf carbonized. Why?
• The sharp lines from the glass melted and softened. Why was I surprised about that?
• Air bubbles. Like? Don't like? Don't know.

  

All in all. A good first attempt I think.

Here's to the fun of first attempts. As you have no base line for comparison, they are all successful!