REUSABLE MOLDS FOR CASTING

murrini with Colour de Verre from the molds and can be washed molds creates pendants that range off the pieces. Castings created from old-world classics to hip, using ZYP have exceptionally contemporary pieces. smooth surfaces and almost never require grinding or “cold work.” Primo is a traditional kiln wash that is applied with an artist’s brush. It’s a trusted and proven product, but requires a bit more “elbow grease” to remove after Millefiori and Murrini firing. Primo’s big advantages are Pendants it’s low cost and availability. Create beautiful, old-world or Brief instructions for each option hip, modern designs by combin- follow: ing millefiori, murrini, and To apply ZYP, hold the well-shak- Colour de Verre pendant molds. Murrini used to be solely While the results look profes- produced in COE 104 glass by the en can 10 to 12 inches from the sional and intricate, they are Italian Masters of , , mold. Hold both the mold and the easy-to-make and require only but American studios are spray can upright. Apply the first, one firing. producing beautiful murrini in light coat using a two to three-sec- ond burst of spray in a sweeping nnn both COE 90 and COE 96 glass. pattern across all the mold’s cavi- Just a note: The millefiori is the ties. Do not saturate the surface. If combination of two Italian words: it is the first time ZYP has been Murrini are created by drawing a Mille for thousands and fiori for applied to this mold, it is necessary block of layered glass into a long flowers. to apply a second coat of the rod. The rod is nipped into product. uniform pieces that are anywhere Preparing the Molds from coin-size to a couple of The molds must be primed so the Before applying the second coat, millimeters in diameter. This glass doesn’t adhere to the ceramic let the mold dry for five minutes. process creates small pieces of material from which the molds are Apply the second coat using an- glass with delicate patterns made. There are two choices for other two to three-second burst of imbedded throughout. When the primers: Hotline Primo™ Primer spray. Let the mold dry for ten to patterns are flower-like, the and ZYP BN Lubricoat (formerly fifteen minutes before filling. murrini are called millefiori, MR-97). The ZYP is the easiest to Again, the double coat of ZYP Italian for thousands of flowers. apply and remove. It is an aerosol only need be applied the first time Combining the millefiori and and, after firing, brushes off easily the mold is used. Thereafter, only

To o l s Supplies Availability ✓Small artist’s brushes ✓Fine and Medium Clear frit Colour de Verre molds are avail- ✓Digital scale ✓Art Glass Millefiori and Murrini able at fine glass retailers and Colour de Verre Pendants molds ZYP BN Lubricoat (formerly MR- many online merchants including ✓ ✓ our online store, ✓Small measuring spoons 97) or Hotline Primo™ primer www.colourdeverre.com. ✓Tweezers REUSABLE MOLDS FOR one coat is necessary. For more surface on which to place the mur- information about ZYP, visit rini. Colour de Verre website’s Learn section. There, download and read Advanced Priming with Boron Nitride Aerosol. If you choose to use Primo Primer, give your mold three to four thin, even coats of Hotline Primo Primer kiln wash. Use a small, soft artist’s brush - not a hake brush - suggest using ZYP if possible for to apply the Primo Primer and a this project. hair dryer to completely dry each Filling the molds coat before applying the next. Consult the table below to find the Place the murrini on top of the frit Again, more detailed instructions fill weight for the mold cavity you layer in a pleasing pattern. We like can be found in the Learn section wish to fill. Measure out half the fill using small tweezers. Finally, “sta- of Colour de Verre’s website. See weight of medium Clear glass and bilize” the murrini by evenly dis- Tricks of the Trade. When using evenly distribute it in the bottom tributing another half gram of Primo Primer, best results are ob- of the cavity. Repeat this until all fine Clear frit in each cavity. The tained when using fine frit. Larger the cavities contain a layer of frit. murrini should not be covered, but frit can produce excessive casting Using a small spoon, evenly dis- sticking up out of the frit. Careful- spurs that require cold work. Since tribute half a gram of fine Clear ly move the mold to your kiln. Fire there is less or no potential for over the Medium Clear frit in the according to the Firing Schedule casting spurs when using ZYP, we cavity. This creates a level working below.

Fill Weights Design Grams of Frit per Cavity Oval Pendants Large 11, Medium 6, Small 4 Teardrop Pendants Large 11, Medium 6, Small 4 Offset Round Large 14, Medium 10, Small 6 Offset Square Large 20, Medium 15, Small 7 Pillow Pendants Rectangular 24, 18, 12; Square 14, 10

General Firing Schedule* Segment Ramp Temperature Hold Variations Sometimes, you might decide that 1 350ºF/195ºC 1250˚F (675ºC) 15 minutes the pendants look better from the back than the front. If so, place 2 350ºF/195ºC 1410-1420ºF/ 20 minutes the pendant in a freshly primed 765-770ºC mold with the preferred side up 3 AFAP 960ºF/515ºC 60 minutes. Off * Schedule for COE 96. For COE 90, increase casting temperature by 20ºF/10ºC. AFAP means “As Fast As Possible”, no venting. REUSABLE MOLDS FOR GLASS CASTING and refire using the General Firing Schedule.

Reusing the Molds Clean mold thoroughly after each firing with a stiff, nylon bristle brush. Avoid breathing any dust by wearing a proper dust mask. Reapply primer before subsequent firings. If correctly primed and fired, a Colour de Verre mold will yield many castings.