Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: Leni on September 19, 2005, 09:41:01 AM
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At Max's request, here's a pic of the Mike Hunter paperweight we bought at the Paperweight Collectors Circle meeting in Cambridge on Saturday, where Mike came and talked to us about how he made this weight (specially for the PCC! :D ) http://tinypic.com/dvg8pz.jpg
Mike showed a series of slides of how he made the weight, especially the clown heads. As You can see from the picture, the clown head is about finger-nail size. Unlike traditionally made millefiori canes, which are made by bundling fine glass rods together, Mike made this head with very large pieces of glass, so that when it was finished it was as large as a real human head and weighed an absolute ton! :shock:
He and his assistant then rolled it on the marver until it was swiss roll size and cut it into chunks, which they then pulled out to 25 foot lengths and sliced up, ending up with murrine faces of the size shown in the weight!
The 'blue sky' weight was then blown, and the clowns were placed on the surface of a clear glass gather which was 'turned inside out' to case the weight, so that the clowns form 'balloons' floating in the sky! :shock: :D
What a stunner! :shock:
We were really thrilled to meet Mike and to get an opportunity to buy this very special weight!
Many thanks to the PCC ( http://www.kevh.clara.net/index.htm ) for organising it :D
Leni
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Thanks for the photo Leni, and the explanation of how this paperweight was made. :D
It's so easy just to accept something at face value...but it really comes alive when you appreciate the work that went into it. Stretching the clown-face glass into 25 foot lengths, for goodness sake!! :shock: :shock: :shock: Nevermind the weight of the initial piece of glass!
I don't suppose he made a close packed clown face weight? I'd rather like one of those, plenty to look at! :D
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I don't suppose he made a close packed clown face weight? I'd rather like one of those, plenty to look at! :D
I think he's planning to do some, and some vases, using the clown faces. He said he's got enough of the clown murrines to last a lifetime, now :lol: :roll:
Leni
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the weight is so cool Leni