hmm, they're a bit overcooked! They turned into little cups, but tiny flakes of glass stuck to the molds since they were too hot, and rather than re-fuse them I think they'll hold candles on my porch just fine now that the inside that stuck is sanded down... on to the next batch!

The new candle holders are in the kiln for a few more hours, so I can't photograph them together yet, but I cut the tops and bottoms off brown beer bottles for the coasters, and the bottoms of the bottles are in the kiln hopefully draping into votive holders similar to the one here from last year-









and just for the record, the tops and sections of the necks go into necklaces...



wish the batch of candleholders in the kiln luck!

PinkyK's right, and Pinky, the color only bleeds with certain brands of glitter, I remember a veeeery annoying purple! Then again I only use fine glitter, almost too thick stir...

These are totally gorgeous!  I also wish I knew how to make the cabachons... but appreciate the search tips.  Really lovely pieces!  Love the quote from your daughter--that's too cute.

Lucite is a trade name for a specific brand of acrylic, so you could always do some searching for info on acrylic jewelry making, and there are various places online to buy acrylic sheet-
http://acrylite-shop.com/US/us/index.htm?expa=google.cut-to-size

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.aspx?catid=442&parentcatid=443&gclid=CM2YnMHks6ACFVk65QodZXU1Sg

but to cast it rather than buy sheets of solid colors and laser cut it or use a jewelers saw, I have NO idea!

Did you make the cabachons? If so how?  I think they are my new obsession! 

Hi Pinky!
 Most are Lucite, I think all the ones here are vintage, you can do a Google and Etsy search, so far I haven't found a flippin' ting on Ebay, but I would think sometimes there should be?!

I can never find cabs on Ebay either. Perhaps we are looking in the wrong section, but I swear I've done a general search and nothing pops up either. 

Totally unrelated to a specific  Lucite search, I've found vintage items by Google-ing them with ebay in my search terms "vintage blah-blah ebay" , when they weren't showing up in my Ebay search, I have no clue how to search that site!

Did you make the cabachons? If so how?  I think they are my new obsession! 

Hi Pinky!
 Most are Lucite, I think all the ones here are vintage, you can do a Google and Etsy search, so far I haven't found a flippin' ting on Ebay, but I would think sometimes there should be?!

What is the curing time for the fat ones? I poured a batch on Wednesday and it's Friday and those babies will not budge out of the straw. Am I being too impatient? Do they need a few days to cure?

did you ever get your out?

I cut them out. Which really wasn't horrible at all. It's just such a super waste of the plastic mold.

Sorry didn't see this till now and hadn't made them recently enough to think ahead to suggest it, but I usually take it in both hands and give it a wringing motion, it makes some crackling sounds as it detaches from the sides and then pushes right out with a pencil, usually easier than the straws!

If I can find the molds in the attic maybe I can make a semi-watchable video? It won't be a John Golden production, but it might help, lol...

I should take a picture, it's become my kitten's favorite perch! When we got the cats they slept under or on our bed, but I think he prefers this for daytime napping because he sees us more coming and going, and it's close to hand level for spontaneous petting!

One more question....do you do the etching with the Dremel as well? What attachment do you use?

The etching is done with the Dremel, with the same attachment as the drilling, the diamond bit for engraving that says not to use it for drilling, except that I do

Amelia has been helping me pick the cabs and beads, she's 3 now and says " get this one, it looks like candy, but we can't eat it mom" in this tone that seems to say that mom just might eat them without her oh-so-serious advice, she's so cute!