Each piece is cut from art sheet glass and layered with two sheets to make it about 1/4 inch thick. The design is layered
on top, with each different color cut out of compatible glass. Sometimes frit (crushed glass) or lamp-worked (torch melted)
pieces are added to bring in the necessary details. The layered piece is fused at about 1520 degrees F, annealed and cooled.
It is then placed on a mold, reheated and sagged at about 1300 degrees. It is again annealed and cooled. The annealing
toughens the glass, making it resistant to breaking.
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![balloon_1_9-12.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/balloon_1_9-12.jpg.w300h225.jpg)
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Making a Balloon Suncatcher |
![balloon_2_9-12.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/balloon_2_9-12.jpg.w300h225.jpg)
![balloon_3_9-12.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/balloon_3_9-12.jpg.w300h400.jpg)
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cutting out the pieces |
![balloon_4_9-12.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/balloon_4_9-12.jpg.w300h225.jpg)
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pieces cut, now to grind edges so pieces fit |
![balloon_5_9-12.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/balloon_5_9-12.jpg.w300h400.jpg)
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with edges sanded and fitting, cutting clear top glass |
![loaded_kiln_9-12.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/loaded_kiln_9-12.jpg.w300h225.jpg)
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All pieces loaded in kiln |
![after_sagging_9-12.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/after_sagging_9-12.jpg.w300h225.jpg)
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After firing and sagging (balloon was not sagged) |
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We demonstrate lampwork beadmaking at the Sutter Buttes Gem and Mineral Society show at the Sutter County Fairgrounds
in Yuba City.
![kim_bead1.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/kim_bead1.jpg.w300h375.jpg)
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Kim demonstrating lampwork |
![beads_8-22-09.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/beads_8-22-09.jpg.w300h240.jpg)
![beads_2_9-12.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/beads_2_9-12.jpg.w300h400.jpg)
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Lampwork Bead Display |
![beads_1_9-12.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/beads_1_9-12.jpg.w300h400.jpg)
![before_firing.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/before_firing.jpg)
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All pieces loaded in kiln |
![after_firing.jpg](sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/after_firing.jpg)
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After firing |
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