Thanks for your comment and I’m glad the information was helpful. Myself, I’m always looking out for really good enamels, and I’ll be sure to tell you when I find out more.

All the best,
Stephen

After all this time I just found this message from you. Thank you. This question about the enamels is still with me but your answer was helpful. I haven’t gotten around to buying enamels yet but will as soon as possible. I finally began to paint the other day and love it.Your messages and tips are read a lot, and I use them to help, because there are no glass painters nearby. God willing, I pray I can take a course with you and David in 2012.

I hope you got my e-mail answer. And the short answer is, yes, a pottery kiln with a 3-ramp controller should be fine.

A couple of points, though.

First up, it’s important the kiln has bung holes so you can vent any fumes.

Second, pottery kilns (in my experience) load from the side (rather than the top), with heating elements at the side (rather than the top), and space for several shelves. Now I don’t have much experience of side-loading and side-firing kilns; I have used them, but not much. But the point I want to make is that, even if your kiln allows you to fire several shelves at once, it’s often best to fire just one shelf at a time, because that way you can (with practice) gain knowledge and experience to get the results you want. The point is, if you fire several shelves at once, each shelf will fire slightly differently. Also, each additional shelf will absorb some heat: this complicates things – as I see it – and makes them less predictable.

Just be sure to document everything you do; it’ll soon become second nature.

All the best,
Stephen

Firstly thank you so much for your incredibly generous help and advice – it’s very much appreciated.

I’m new to glass painting – about to start a stained glass course and hoping to incorporate painted glass into my designs.

I am a ceramic artist and have a pottery kiln with a 3 ramp controller. Will this be suitable for firing glass?

Best wishes,
Ellie

You ask about enamels and also about rondels.

First, enamels: yes you can indeed paint them right next to one another on a single rondel. But it can be a little tricky.

If you’re working with water, you can prepare a small quantity of a particular enamel, then flood it into the desired area. And then you continue with the other colours. It’s important to test this first because different makes of enamels react differently. It’s also possible to work with different media e.g. Reusche’s water-based painting medium, and maybe this is what you’ll need for your particular design.

Another method of course is to do several firings.

We will be the first to say we don’t have vast experience of working with enamels. Reusche sent us some sample kits and we will be testing them as soon as we get the chance. And I will write a post quite soon about my own experience of restoring a vast set of stained glass enamel doors for the wife of the Beatle, Olivia Harrison … Trial by fire, that was!

Now rondels: I am sorry but the only meaning I know is the spun coloured roundels which you don’t want: can you say more or send a photo? Thanks!

And thanks, too, for your enthusiasm and kind comments: we’re very glad we all have this opportunity to engage with one another.

All the best,
Stephen

I really really appreciate your website and all the wonderful information you offer. I want to paint with enamels. Can I paint enamels right next to one another on a single rondel? What term do I use when searching the Web for rondels? I keep finding those spun colored rondels that are used in door/window designs. Thank you and God bless.

Kind regards,
Mary

That’s excellent news. Please always ask further questions as they occur to you.

Best,
Stephen

The resource tips are very helpful. Will start with a starter kit and go from there.

Many THX for all your valuable help!
Jack