Mezuzah A Fused Glass Project

Transcription

1 Mezuzah A Fused Glass Project

2 Mezuzah A Fused Glass Project PROJECT TITLE: Mezuzah DESIGNED BY: Jeanne Baruth SKILL LEVEL: (Adult 1-5: 1 being the easiest, 5 being most difficult) 3 TIME TO COMPLETE: 3 hours ROMANCE COPY: A mezuzah is a sacred parchment inscribed by hand with two portions of Torah. It is stored in a protective case and hung on the doorposts of Jewish homes. The mezuzah is hung in the following way: On the right doorpost as one enters the room. At the bottom of the upper third of the doorpost (shoulder height). In a slightly slanted position so that the top points toward the inside of the room. PROJECT TIP: If you have a difficult, time keeping the blue and clear dichroic in place use a small amount of fusing glue. Fusing Glue Recipe: 1 drop of white school glue to 3 drops of water. Use a paintbrush to lightly apply to the back of the blue and clear dichroic. Allow glue to dry completely before fusing. INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Measure and mark pattern pieces on the following sheet glass: Light Blue Opalescent Glass Mezuzah Base and Top Dichroic Blue and Clear - Embellishments 2. Using a glass cutter, cut patterns from glass. For glass cutting instructions, watch a free video in our Creative Corner.

3 3. Clean glass using paper towel moistened with water. Completely dry the surface of the glass with a lint free cloth. 4. Next, cut a 2 X 2 piece of kiln paper. Remove the lid from the Fuseworks Kiln. Place the kiln paper on the kiln base. 5. Position the blue base glass in the center of the kiln paper. 6. Cut four 2 ¼ x ½ strips of kiln paper. Stack and place them in the center of the base glass leaving 3/8 from the bottom edge. The kiln paper will create a pocket in the glass after firing to insert scrolls. 7. Add blue and clear dichroic strips to the surface of the top glass, using a tiny bit of fuser s glue to hold in place. Allow glue to completely dry before fusing. 8. Cover base glass and kiln paper strips with the top glass. Please note, kiln paper will extend out of the top of the glass. 9. Carefully set the base with glass inside the microwave and cover with kiln lid. Fuse in a 1200 watt microwave at 50% for 2 minutes; 80% at 1 minute: 30 seconds. If using a lower wattage microwave, increases the power percentage but keep the time consistent. PLEASE NOTE: All microwave and kiln combinations will have different firing patterns. Be sure to take careful notes and log all fusing times for future use. 10. When time expires, open microwave and, using Hot Mitts, carefully lift the lid enough to inspect the fusing process. Fully fused glass layers will appear to be merged and rounded. Continue to add additional time in 30 second increments until desired results are achieved. 11. Remove kiln from microwave using the Hot Mitts and place on a heat resistant surface. Cool the kiln for at least 30 minutes with the lid on. CAUTION: Removing the lid or peeking under the lid during the cooling stage will result in your piece cracking. Glass remains hot for a long time and should be handled with great caution. 12. Once your glass has cooled, remove the kiln paper from the center opening. 13. To do so, run it under water and use a toothpick to remove any remaining kiln paper. Dry the fuse glass project. 14. Slip four faceted beads onto the wire. Dip each the tip of each end wire in glue. Push one bead on the end and allow it to dry. 15. Push all four loose beads to the top portion of the wire. Center and wrap wire around the middle of the mezuzah several times, sliding 1 to 2 of the beads down and to the front as you wrap. 16. Bring the wire to the back and twist once. Bend one of the wires vertically up the center to the top of the Mezuzah, pushing the remaining beads up and away from the back of the glass. Wrap wire several times around a pencil and remove. Pull coils to expand and loosen. Bend one of the loops down towards the scroll cavity and bend the other up. Loop will help hang the Mezuzah. 17. Bring the remaining end of the wire down wrapping it around the lower right edge and bottom tip of the Mezuzah. Thread the loose end over the back wire and down to the bottom of the Mezuzah. Wrap the loose end of the wire with the bead around a pencil and remove. Bend loop down.

4 18. Cut a piece of blue felt to fit the back side of the Mezuzah. Glue the felt to the back of the glass using E This will help secure the wires in place. Attach to door jamb with wood screws through the wire loops. MATERIALS CHECKLIST: Fuseworks Fuseworks Kiln Fuseworks Kiln Paper Fuseworks Light Blue Sheet Glass Fuseworks Blue Dichroic Fuseworks Clear Dichroic Studio Pro Glass Cutter Studio Pro Running Pliers 18 Blue Fun Wire 6 7mm Dark Blue Square Glass Beads 1 Square Blue Felt E-6000 Glue Side Cutters Pattern, Scissors & marker Wood Screws Torah Scroll OPTIONAL: White School Glue and small paint brush

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