Clayton Hill Studio

Posted on July 6, 2012 by claytonhill

It’s getting hot in here …

Oh Fred … I know you’re trying! Look at what my poor DH has ‘rigged’ for me lately, in an effort to cool down the studio …

And, to add insult – he’s having issue with our pool. Being the redneck version of Fred Sanford that he is … he has 3 filters, all in various stages of dilapidation, that he keeps switching around in an effort to clear up the water; he’s dumped all sorts of ‘problem-solving’ chemicals in it; he’s testing the pH and other various levels daily (always spot-on perfect); he’s back-flushing [almost hourly] …and, the water still looks more like lime jell-O than crystal-clear blue-sky … DOH!!!

But, unlike many of my Michigan counterparts – we have power (electricity) and running water without sump-pump issues. So, I’m not complaining …

I’ve had a couple more successful cabs as I try out new designs … I’m working mostly at night, when there’s a little breeze in the air. But now, I’m waiting for some additional supplies to arrive …

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Posted on July 4, 2012 by claytonhill

It’s all about priorities …

New AC unit/central air or a table top kiln??? Hmmm … well, the new kiln will (hopefully) be here next week! Cuz, ya know, it’s good to sweat – cleanses the pores, holistically rids the body of toxins, or something like that …

And, as I’ve mentioned – I have ‘Fred’ (Sanford) for a husband. So, he’s got it all worked out how he’s going to “MacGyver” something together to cool the barn down … We’ll see.

Last night, in between shedding a few pounds of excess water weight, I had some more dichro cab pieces turn out well:

My grandparents will soon be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. While pouring through my family photos, I realized I don’t have a copy of their wedding day pic. But, I did stumble on this one … taken some 35 years ago. Love the ‘Hugh Heffner’ look my Gramps had going … Winking smile So, I’m playing with the image to see what ‘lil memento I can create, all dye-sub style …

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Posted on July 2, 2012 by claytonhill

Sometimes I don’t like people very much … AKA WWU

Wow … I’m sooo glad this weekend is over! Way too many recreational (=CODE for drug and alcohol related) injuries for my liking. There is a subtle (ummm, NOT!) difference in working at my ‘lil Country-Club ER … folks (including the drunk and/or high ones) expect superb customer service – even while they’re dropping ‘F-bombs’ and other ‘colorful-expressions’ loud enough to wake the dead …

AND (- let me set the stage): We were busy(!) … At one point, I was running my own rash and isolated-extremity injury clinic, all revolving-door style, when a patient in respiratory arrest arrived. [For you non-medical peeps – the person was NOT breathing/was ACTIVELY dying!] This patient, in any ER becomes top priority. As the entire team worked to stabilize the patient, I updated the remaining folks about the rationale behind their delay … It goes something like this: “I’m sorry. We have a patient that isn’t breathing, and it’s tying our staff and doctors up. Once stabilized, the doc will be in to see you right away …” I actually had TWO separate patients/parties say, “Can’t someone else see me, isn’t there another doctor???” Wow! Really??? Even with the ‘dying person’ delay – those folks were in and out in UNDER 90 minutes (82 minutes to be exact – including registration!) … In what world does 5-day-old-itchy-rash come before NOT BREATHING?!? (FYI – no one managed to die in my ER this weekend.)

One final tip: If you put your call-light on to ‘ASK’ for MORE coffee in a busy ER, you’re not going to make any friends with the nursing staff … Just sayin’!!

[Shaking it off …] My week ahead: I’ll continue to work on dichro cab pieces. I had a couple more successes yesterday morning:

But right now, the sun is shining and my pool is calling me …

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Posted on June 30, 2012 by claytonhill

Better …

I’m starting to have slightly more reliable results with my new glass techniques, but still struggling with consistency (- although, I AM getting better at working in the dark with light-sensitive materials and glass. I only cut myself 3 times tonight!) … We’ll get there, but here’s what I have for now:

On an upbeat note: 1) I’m done with my mandatory (FOREVER-hanging-over-my-head) work competencies. Three+ hours of on-line HELL are now over – for at least another 3 months.

2): Remember my issue with the clouding/streaking clear on some of my cabs? Well, it’s been resolved. I contacted Wissmach (since it happened again on a larger piece – this time on the bottom) and they explained what was the probable cause … The company is graciously sending out some replacement clear glass. That’s great!

And 3): Yesterday was my dad’s birthday … Thanks to Edible Arrangements WITH delivery – I am still the favorite oldest child! Happy Birthday Dad, enjoy your low cholesterol fruit!!!

My current struggles: It’s hot in here – DH broke my AC unit (… Don’t Ask!), and my back up unit isn’t ‘strong’ enough to keep the studio cool. So now, we’re considering central air for the BARN!!! (Yes – I recognize that I am a brat, that’s why I’m struggling!) To be a little fair to me … HE broke the unit; And according to my thermometer, it’s still 82 degrees in here (better than the reported 91 degrees from a few hours ago) …

And 2): I’ve decided I NEED a table-top kiln (8×8 inch). (No, I really don’t … but I WANT one – a whole lot!!!) Isn’t it beautiful?!? Smile

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Posted on June 27, 2012 by claytonhill

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming …

The To-Do list is out of control … My working vacation was too short to get anywhere near the bottom of that list – Darn it!!!

But – it is summer, and the sun is shining this week … and I DID visit my favorite glass supply store. So I will not whine [much] …

I started working on my own badge reels/pendants (my first post-class attempts). The first two I worked on tonight were flops …DOH! S’ok – I’ll figure out what I’m doing wrong … (they started out good – hard to tell, I know, as I’m working in the dark with light sensitive supplies:)

WWU: To add interest, we worked without air conditioning for the first half of the shift on Saturday (downed power line). I’m still traumatized over it. My house is a frigid 50 degrees right now, and if the kids dare to complain, they promptly receive my most-stern ‘Mother look’! Sunday, we discovered one of our own was in a pretty substantial accident. She’s doing well, but has a long, no-fun road of recovery ahead. Prayers to her!

So with all this bad MoJo rolling around – I’m taking it as a good sign that I recently captured (on film, at least) a rainbow in our backyard …

I hope to get the kilns running and get back on track before the week is out … Just Keep Swimmin’ …

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Posted on June 15, 2012 by claytonhill

Yeah, but …

The cool stuff is coming!!! I have successfully survived 48 hours of being out in the A.M., with the rest of the DAY-Walkers, without spontaneously combusting. I never said I was happy about it – cuz, I’m not. I feel sick … big virus, hit by a ‘Mack-truck’, worse than any HANGOVER* sick. My rhythm’s are all off (was that a PVC???) – but I’m doing it! And I’m LOVING my classes. *OK – maybe NOT worse than that Citron hangover, but still …

Here’s a quick pic of what came home with me. The great news: … some of my even-cooler pendant blanks are being fired (at the school), while I type; And, I FINALLY got to enjoy my pool this afternoon; AND (I know, right?) … I have this really cool stuff sitting in my fridge!!! [No, I don’t mean the beer (although – pretty cool!). I mean the emulsion papers! Who DOESN’T want 10 pieces of light-sensitive glass-specific paper taking up a special drawer in their refrigerator???] Winking smile

It (the paper) is for creating my own colored ‘decal’ looking designs on glass. If I can screen-print and paint it … I can make it. I know, it’s mind-boggling [???]… but it’s all good. Trust me!!!

And, my coffin kiln load worked … I think (??)! It’s still too warm to touch, but nothing over-cooked. I do believe I’ll have 6 new bowls and a night light in days to come.

I’ve got to go … bed-time is coming, so that I can be up at the Crack of Dawn tomorrow morning … [whine!]

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Posted on June 13, 2012 by claytonhill

I think I ‘misthunk’ …Doh!

And it’s slowing me down. But – better safe than sorry. I was just about ready to run my ‘mosaic’ and frit coffin load when it occurred to me that I might want to full-fuse the bases to the tops (of about 1/2 of them) BEFORE I ‘tack fuse’ (a little hotter than that, but same difference in this instance) …

So, now I’m running a test in the production kiln. One ‘grouted’ piece – that can withstand close to full fusing temps, and one that I probably don’t want to take that high … If I’m right, it means I’ve got some re-working to do, as I’ve already glued the designs in place. Aaarrggh! I guess we’ll see …

Tomorrow is Day One of my glass class – sure hope I wake up on time …

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Posted on June 12, 2012 by claytonhill

I’m on VACATION!!!

A working vacation, but still … As I sat yesterday morning, nursing my after-work ‘night-cap’, DH [lovingly] said, “You look tired.” And it’s true, I was – physically tired. But mentally, I’ve been creating list upon lists of things I want to get done, should get done and NEED to get done over these next 2 weeks. I’ve also been furiously writing/sketching ideas in my glass book – I can’t wait to get started.

WWU – Kicked my arse[!], they did: Our ED director worked this weekend. While I like/respect him, and enjoy his sense of humor … he’s a ‘Sh*t Magnet’! But we got through … assaults, lacerations, fevers, abdominal pains, complex patients, possible spinal cord emergencies, Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome (???) … transfers/admits, ambulances … OH MY! When I can keep up with (and occasionally stay ahead of) his lightning-fast thought processes and orders, I always learn something new!

But it’s over … for the next 12 11 glorious days!

My latest coffin slump was successful (only a couple of bowls I will re-slump/re-work). New glass items to photo and add to the shops: And my three ‘square’ bowls are done:

My glass seminar (first glass class ever) is this week. Four days of learning new techniques … all during day-walker hours. I AM excited, just not about the A.M. part.

I have a few on-line work competencies thrown in for FUN … and it looks like summer (weather) has finally decided to come to Michigan! (Umm – POOL TIME!!) I’ll leave with a cute pic of Olivia, ‘standing guard’ as only a Neo can … Time to get busy

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Posted on June 9, 2012 by claytonhill

The calm before the storm …

So, the kids are officially on summer vacation. They’ve ALREADY started talk about things we should do, buy and partake in to ensure they’re properly entertained this Summer … Oy Vay! This started right after I asked them to remove the 80 pounds of back-packs and school papers from my counters, couches and stairs. At least they’re not bickering … YET!

After cooking/serving my heathens a healthy dinner, romping/playing ball with my four-legged brats and watering my garden … I promptly escaped to my studio. Knowing I needed time to refocus [yeah, that’s code for calming down, finding my ‘Zen-ness’, becoming maternal – or at least friendly …], DH left me alone.

I made some progress with my frit/mosaic load. Everything is drying for the next round. I’d like to get them in the coffin this coming week, but we’ll see. I made a Shamrock night light, cuz – I felt like it (and according to my grandmother, I’m Irish … no one else in the family knew that when I was growing up – WTH???); and, I grouted my ‘busier’ rose plate:

I also finally got the coffin loaded with my slump-run. We’ll see tomorrow how she turns out. [Fingers crossed for some nice bowls and spoon rests …]

But then – I had research time … Time to scour the internet and see what’s out there. I’m quickly becoming fascinated with sand-blasting. I think I’ve found some new supplies/equipment that I just can’t live without. But, you know – it’s just the research phase … the calm before the storm. Winking smile

And I’ve got just one more weekend at work to get through (again – calm/storm) before I’m off for 12 days, AND take my glass classes. Who knows what kind of trouble will find me then?!?

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Posted on June 7, 2012 by claytonhill

Slight detour …

Spent the afternoon putting together a ‘lil scrapbook … all dye-sub style. We have yet another Doc leaving us, and I needed to let her know she’ll be missed greatly!

Yesterday I was cruising along pretty well with putting together my mosaic load … a couple of rose plates:

And an iridescent patriotic night light … should be cute:

Had some disappointment with my latest jewelry load. I’ve had a few capped pieces come out all cloudy like this … I’m bummed, as this was my latest etching-on-glass attempt. I’ve been using Wissmach to cap, but I think I may remove it from my inventory. Has anyone else had a problem with their thin clear streaking/clouding?