Dome Over Wine Stopper.

getdul981 · #1 2014-04-26, 5:31pm

I have been making some wine stoppers that are almost too fragile to be used. Does anyone have any idea how I can use a tube to create a dome over the "sculpture" on top of the wine stopper? I have an idea, but not sure if I feel confident enough to try it.

Here are some examples of the type I am talking about. I need to put a clear dome over them to protect them. Obviously these are not going to get the domes. I am asking for future attempts.

istandalone24/7 · #2 2014-04-27, 3:15am

perhaps some med wall tubing? punty up to a closed off end, diamond shear it off, open up the cup a bit with graphite or jacks, then proceed to weld the edges to your maria?

getdul981 · #3 2014-04-27, 5:35am

Quote:

Originally Posted by istandalone24/7

perhaps some med wall tubing? punty up to a closed off end, diamond shear it off, open up the cup a bit with graphite or jacks, then proceed to weld the edges to your maria?

This is along the line of what I was thinking. Was trying to figure a way to do it without sawing. I can saw, but I'm just lazy, and didn't want to get it out and set it up.

menty666 · #4 2014-04-27, 8:14am

Are you looking to retrofit those or as a "going forward" type of thing?

I only mention it because those stopper pieces aren't kiln safe and you probably don't want them near the flame either

Three Muses Glass · #5 2014-04-27, 10:37am

What part is too fragile? Would it be easier to redesign a little bit instead?

getdul981 · #6 2014-04-27, 8:01pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by menty666

Are you looking to retrofit those or as a "going forward" type of thing?

I only mention it because those stopper pieces aren't kiln safe and you probably don't want them near the flame either

Not these. Future projecrts.

getdul981 · #7 2014-04-27, 8:02pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Three Muses Glass

What part is too fragile? Would it be easier to redesign a little bit instead?

The dolphins stidking up and the white water splashes around them.

untamedrose · #8 2014-04-27, 8:11pm

Id use the water splashes to create a better connection for the dolphins. Let it run up from the base along the dolphins side, then flare out a little. Just a suggestion.

getdul981 · #9 2014-04-28, 11:20am

Quote:

Originally Posted by untamedrose

Id use the water splashes to create a better connection for the dolphins. Let it run up from the base along the dolphins side, then flare out a little. Just a suggestion.

That's kinda what I do. I guess I could do higher. They still just look too fragile.

Cosmo · #10 2014-04-28, 11:49am

I would use some light cobalt and make some waves for the dolphins and give them a good solid base. Let it wrap up around them. The cobalt is light enough to still see through to see the dolphin, but will give it a lot of extra strength.

Three Muses Glass · #11 2014-04-28, 5:23pm

I was thinking the same as Rose and Chad. A wave something like this http://www.art4thesoul.com/wavesculptures-ANCH.html as your base and wave, perhaps a bit of clear/cobalt/white to swirl at your connection from water to dolphin.

getdul981 · #12 2014-04-29, 8:33am

I'll give it a try. Thanks everyone for the tips. I did make one with a dome that I will try to photograph and post. It's not real pretty, but everyone has to start somewhere.

getdul981 · #13 2014-04-29, 10:03am

Here is the one I did and added the dome to. Not the prettiest thing in the world. It actually looks better in the photo than in reality. Chad's idea to use light cobalt for waves and stability is a real good one except I don't have any light cobalt. I think I'll try to mix clear with my regular cobalt and see what happens.

Cosmo · #14 2014-04-29, 10:23am

Quote:

Originally Posted by getdul981

Here is the one I did and added the dome to. Not the prettiest thing in the world. It actually looks better in the photo than in reality. Chad's idea to use light cobalt for waves and stability is a real good one except I don't have any light cobalt. I think I'll try to mix clear with my regular cobalt and see what happens.

That would probably work fine. I would use a little cobalt and a lot of clear. Doesn't matter if it's not mixed up completely. A little variation would probably be nice.

I like the idea of the dome over the piece, but I would be wary of it. If you close the dome completely, you are creating stress inside it. And, if the dome isn't even in wall thickness, you are creating stress. Glass with stress + someone grabbing it to pull it out of wine bottle = problem waiting to happen.

getdul981 · #15 2014-05-09, 4:39am

Quote:

Originally Posted by untamedrose

Id use the water splashes to create a better connection for the dolphins. Let it run up from the base along the dolphins side, then flare out a little. Just a suggestion.

Do you mean something like this?

getdul981 · #16 2014-05-09, 4:42am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmo

I would use some light cobalt and make some waves for the dolphins and give them a good solid base. Let it wrap up around them. The cobalt is light enough to still see through to see the dolphin, but will give it a lot of extra strength.

How's this?

Cosmo · #17 2014-05-09, 5:27am

Quote:

Originally Posted by getdul981

How's this?

Yeah. That's what I was talking about. That should provide a much better connection.

Nighthawk · #18 2014-05-09, 10:35pm

I love the stoppers, where do you get the stopper itself from?

KJohn · #19 2014-05-10, 12:50am

You could lose the stopper and just do those as little sculptures, perhaps with a removable dome. I like that last one with the cobalt mix. Nice work!

getdul981 · #20 2014-05-10, 1:47pm

Thanks evryone for the comments. The waves for the dolphin were made using dark cobalt and egyptian white sand and clear. Equal lenghts of each and heated and twisted and pulled. I may have folded and repeated, but I don't remember.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

I love the stoppers, where do you get the stopper itself from?

ezpots.com, but I have ordered from someplace else before. Do a Google search and you will find plenty.

Nighthawk · #21 2014-05-13, 11:46am

Thank you

Glitzy Glass Studio · #22 2014-05-14, 12:45am

I love your stoppers

getdul981 · #23 2014-05-20, 3:07pm

Thank you Glitzy.

Nighthawk · #24 2014-06-20, 2:12am

There I did my thing with the wine stopper thing

Thanks Getdul981 for the help!

getdul981 · #25 2014-06-21, 6:35pm

Thanks Nighthwk, but you did all the work. Beautiful work too!! All I did was tell you where to find the stoppers. What did you use to secure them with? I use E 6000 cement.

Nighthawk · #26 2014-06-29, 1:40pm

Loctite GO2 crystal clear

getdul981 · #27 2014-07-01, 5:26am

Thanks.

CrassGlass · #28 2014-08-26, 6:23am

Those dolphins look great. The dome is a cool idea for a stopper, but I might go for something a bit more on the spherical side if you're going to continue down that route (and maybe work in a tiny bit of white frit near the bottom for spray). It's just that the first thing I thought when I saw the elongated dome was "condom." But then again, I was raised in the sewers by rats, so my thoughts should not be trusted.