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Bottle Slumping is HOT!

 

Wine Bottle Cheese Plates in the kiln

  1. After enjoying a little fruit of the vine....The first thing you need to do is remove the label from your bottle; for stubborn ones Goo-Gone works well.
     
  1. Next be sure to wash and dry your bottle completely. Moisture is the enemy. It can cause the bottle to explode, making a very big mess in your kiln.
     
  1. Bottles with painted labels are ok (actually –very cool) but I suggest; use a thin sheet of fiber paper under the part where the label comes in contact with the mold surface, otherwise the bottle might get stuck and ruin your mold.
     
  1. Devitrification spray can be applied to the bottles to prevent a hazy or scummy appearance on the glass after it’s fired.
     
  1. If you would like to hang your bottle or you are making wind chimes; take a piece of 20 gage copper wire shaped in a U and insert it in the bottle top before slumping.
     
  1. Use a mold that has been pre treated with glass separator and again dried completely. Separator should be reapplied between firings as needed. Check the vent holes to be sure that they are not plugged with the separator.

new  Firing Schedule for med. to lg. bottle

  •  600 DPH (degrees per hr), to 1100 DF, soak (hold temp) for 10 minutes.

  • Heat 300 DPH to 1300 hold for 30 minutes this will help eliminate the air bubble that would get trapped at a faster slumping schedule.
     

  • Heat AFAP (as fast as possible), to 1425 DF, (depending on the size and thickness of your bottle) soak for 5-15 minutes or until the bottle is slumped to perfection.
    (watch it closely during this time it can move rather fast!)
     

  • Cool AFAP by flash venting the kiln; continue to open and close the lid for a few seconds to allow the heat to escape\until the temperature falls to 1000 DF.
     

  • Soak for 10 minutes at 1000 DF.
     

  • Annealing Stage; slow cool 180 DPH to 800 DF.
     

  • Next turn off the kiln and let it cool naturally to room temperature; don't peek!

After you remove your project from the kiln; be sure to vacuum any spall from the copper wire to avoid contaminating your next project.

You may want to adjust the temperature and/or soak time according to the size and thickness of your bottle.

Don’t become discouraged trial and error is the best teacher and sometimes the result of what will be some of your favorite pieces.
 

Have Fun!  Questions - Email: sue@clayfriends.com


Wine Bottle Cheese Plates

  These unique serving dishes are excellent for entertaining and spreading good cheer; always a great conversation starter.

Bottles display beautifully while not in use. The top is raised slightly, making it very easy to handle.

Included with every cheese plate is a wire wrapped utensil holder and  serving knife.

 Each slumped bottle has its own unique personality and is signed by the artist who created it.
 
 
   

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