Adventures in Fandom!Glass Fusing

[kaliha]

I've tried to make Christmas presents with a bit of a difference this year, and decided to make a Who-themed pendant for one of my flistees.

Because I'm still learning how to do this glass fusing malarky I decided to keep it nice and simple.



I started with a TARDIS template I found on crafty_tardis which I resized down to about 30mm high.


I placed a piece of fusible glass on the top of it and traced (I know, what an awful cheat) the TARDIS onto the glass with special enamel paint. When it dried I did another coat and once that dried I went over all the lines with a pin to scratch off any blobs of enamel and neaten up all the lines.

I then tack fused another piece of clear glass onto the top of it (Tack fusing is when the glass is heated to about 800*C in a kiln; it starts to liquefy and the two pieces join together to form one piece of glass.)

I let that cool down and a couple of days later refused the pieces again onto some green-blue dichroic glass (Dichroic glass is fusible glass with a special coating on it with comes in a variety of colours/patterns)


And here it is fresh out of the kiln (apologies for the rubbish photo)


I drilled a hole in the top and smoothed off any rough edges with a grinder. (There's a piece of ceramic fibre paper in the hole so that the glass doesn't close up when it's refused.)


In the kiln being fire polished. (This is where the glass is heated just enough for the edges of the glass to go molten and smooth up.)


And the finished pendant. (Again, apologies for the rubbish photo)

By all accounts, as a present it went down rather well. I'm fairly pleased with how it turned out, but being the perfectionist I am was a bit annoyed that some bubbles crept in. I also think that if I did anything like this again I'd do it on much lighter dichroic glass so that you could see the design better.

In other Who-related news, in about 24 hours we will know who the Eleventh Doctor will be. The new-Outpost Gallifrey has already battened down the hatches and I wonder if LJ will survive the inevitable implosion about 7.05pm when the announcement is made.

Last minute poll:
[Poll #1324227]

(re: the last option - a friend pointed out today that it would be hill-hairy-arse if the Eleventh Doctor regenerated into the Tenth Doctor again, thus preventing the loss of the fangirl demographic)

Comments

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

That pendant is utterly gorgeous!! I really envy your friend who received it!!

You didn't give me an "Other" option on the poll. *pouts*

[pugnacioun.livejournal.com]

Your icon! It dazzles me so!

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

*grins* Thanks. I fantasy cast Eleven and Twelve for a fic series I wrote for mini_nano and angelfireeast kindly made icons for the two actors concerned!

[pugnacioun.livejournal.com]

I heartily agree with both choices - lovely, talented actors both of them.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

*nods* And they'd be such a contrast to David (whom I do love apart from when Rusty makes him emo!)

[cheesygirl.livejournal.com]

That pendant is gorgeous! It almost looks like a holographic image, the way it's encased in the sparkly glass.

I'm really hoping it's Eddie Izzard, although I don't think it will be. I think he'd be magnificent, as he's good at being wacky and fun as well as serious and sexy. ::crosses fingers::

[davidbrider.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm hoping for Chiwetel - not because I've got money on it, just 'cos I've thought he was good Doctor material since I saw him in Serenity.

Failing him, Rupert Penry-Jones, preferably with Sheridan Smith as companion.

Nice pendant.

[doylefan22.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen him suggested before but the idea of Jack Davenport makes me giggle with glee. :D

[pugnacioun.livejournal.com]

If I was going with what I want, instead of what I think, I would vote Bill Nighy. I think he would be a perfect change from Tennant (who, much as I love him, is more than a bit like a very precocious manic five-year-old) and he's just delightful in and of himself. It seems, though, that most people (being pretty much all of the articles that I've read in any kind of publication, respectable or not) think Paterson Joseph has the greatest chance.

Also, your pendant is lovely.

[th-esaurus.livejournal.com]

About 60% of that list up there would be a-okay by me. I hadn't even heard people talking about Chiwetel Ejiofor for this role, but man, it'd be awesome.

[spiralsheep.livejournal.com]

I LOVE the pendant.

[redheadedali.livejournal.com]

Jack Davenport is my dream Eleven, and I would die from the squee if it turned out to be either Chiwetel Ejiofor or Bill Nighy, but I'm betting it will be Patterson Joseph. Which is fine. Except I think he really needs the Marquis de Carabas braids :).

[sal101010.livejournal.com]

When I heard that Patterson Joseph had been suggested, I was disappointed as I think he doesn't have the Doctor spark, but Chewy (I am certain I mis-pronounce his name anyway) would be great. I loved him as the Operative and I actually received Kinky Boots for Christmas!

[i-like-doctors.livejournal.com]

I wanted David Morrissey to be Eleven. :(
xxx

[fishface44.livejournal.com]

I voted for Chiwetel Egiofor because I really, really hope it is him; however, I actually suspect it will be Benedict Cumberbatch. I just don't see Patterson Joseph as very Doctorish, but if they choose him I suppose my opinion will change..

[lm-jillybean.livejournal.com]

That's a beautiful pendant!

And I voted James Nesbit but I think Robert Lindsay might have it :)

[deadflowerss.livejournal.com]

The glass working looks so good.Totally different thing but my aunty makes terrariums with glass,I've always greatly admired her skill at it,as I do with yours.:)

I want James Frain for the next Doctor.
Have you any inside info on Chiwetel Ejiofor,my fridge has just packed in I could to make some extra cash.;)

[gblvr.livejournal.com]

OMG.... ::lusts for the Tardis pendant::

[dune-drd.livejournal.com]

I think I can see my gift pendant in that kiln, too!

It got some very envious looks on our New Years Eve party, btw!

[kaffy_r]

The pendant is amazing. I actually like the fogginess of the image - the TARDIS keeping Herself to Herself. And, if I can't have Robert Carlyle, (or Mr. Nighy) then Mr. Ejiofor will do quite nicely, kthnxbai.

[theniwokesoftly.livejournal.com]

I'm still hoping for David Morrissey. Will not give up hope yet!

[anothersadsong.livejournal.com]

that's the coolest thing ever.

[acciochocolate.livejournal.com]

An "other" choice would have been good! Frankly, I'm hoping it's someone unknown. :)

Blue! Glass! Sparkles! Lovely!

[gamiila.livejournal.com]

Me, I'm hoping Chiwetel Ejiofor; but based on what I've heard/read, I think Paterson Joseph.

[supertrink.livejournal.com]

dang that pendant is cool! i love it!

[aliciaed.livejournal.com]

I really like the pendant. The contrast on the blue background isn't stark and it's the right color! Thanks for showing the step-by-step, too.