rainbow row

Pouring resin

Today was the day to pour resin on the Rainbow Row / Sunset mosaics. I originally planned to do all three, but at the last minute I decided to make one of the Rainbow Rows “hangable” and affixed hardware for that purpose to the back of the piece, so I couldn’t really pour the resin on it today (need to give the adhesive time to cure). I used E6000 glue for the hardware, but I will also coat it with resin later. I started off by mixing my 400 ml of resin. It was 69 degrees in my work area, so I warmed the two parts a bit with my heat gun before mixing them.

Gluing the hardware on the back of one Rainbow Row

I used a piece of scrap glass to prop up the hardware while I waited for the glue to set.

Next I used some scrap glass as “shims” to level the sunset mosaic. This is important so the resin isn’t uneven.

Once everything was level, I poured the resin all over the piece and spread it using a sponge on a stick. Once the resin was pretty much evenly distributed, I used the heat gun to remove bubbles and move it around for even coverage.

Next, I did the same with the Rainbow Row piece. It is much smaller and unframed, so I used much less resin and relied on spreading it. This helps reduce the amount that drips over the edges, as well.

Once the resin was coating all of the surfaces, I sprinkled some clear glass chips around the edges for sparkle and interest. Then, for the next 30 or so minutes, I used a craft stick to scrape excess resin from the edges and underside of the piece. This has to be repeated as needed until the resin sets up enough to stop moving. Any that I miss can be removed afterward, but it is *much* easier to do it now. I have also cracked a few finished pieces trying to remove the drips in the past, so I spend the time up front in order to avoid the scraping later.

Scraping drips from the underside edges with a craft stick

I also sprinkled some clear glass chips around the very edges of the sun’s rays adjacent to the frame. I did this to reduce the jagged appearance of the edges of the mosaic.

One thing I should have anticipated, but didn’t, is that there were bubbles in the resin that I couldn’t get to under the waves. This was due to the layering of the glass for this part of the piece. In the future, I will have to consider pouring the resin on the first layer, then adding the additional layers afterward. This will be a bit tricky due to the timing involved, but should reduce the bubble issues. Luckily these bubbles are part of the churning sea, so they aren’t as bad as they would be if they were in another area.

During this time, I also use the heat gun to remove surface bubbles on both pieces. This has to be done until the resin is somewhat solidified.

Waiting for the resin to cure on the sunset

Waiting for the resin to cure on Rainbow Row

Now we wait! Tomorrow I should be able to get some better photos (and clean up my work area).

I like the Palmettos

Today I tried adding windows and doors to a couple of the houses on these Rainbow Row pieces. I just wasn’t feeling the love for them. I’m not good with painting / drawing at all and they didn’t look the way I had hoped, so I removed them and decided to focus on the Palmetto trees today. Maybe I can add enough visual interest with plants. I glued the trees and greenery in place, but I haven’t glued the red glass flowers in the shrubs yet. Still thinking about that.

Both Rainbow Row panels with the trees glued in place.

I tried adding some flowering shrubs for visual interest.

Maybe if I make them a bit smaller next time I will like the look a little better. I still feel like these need more decoration. I have considered making windows and doors out of glass, but they would really stick out. I decided to try that and see how it looks.

In the mean time, the little trees inspired me to try designing some smaller pieces (larger than ornaments, but about a third of the size of the above pieces) with the Palmetto and Crescent for the South Carolina flag. I often have people ask about pieces with the SC flag (I’ve made large window mosaics as well as stepping stones with it in the past).

I’ll need backer glass that’s about twice this size. I’ll also likely use white and blue glass for the Palmetto and the Crescent, but this is just for brainstorming.

Adding details

Yesterday I was able to spend a little time adding some trees to the Rainbow Row panels. I haven’t glued any of the trees down yet, but I did glue the houses in place. I still want to add some doors and windows to the houses before I glue the trees in place. I think the trees will really add a lot to the panels!

Today I started a project I’ve been thinking about doing for awhile. I started with a photograph of Rainbow Row, which is a notable row of colorful homes in downtown Charleston, SC. Yesterday I cut out the clear backer glass for these panels, so today I started planning the houses themselves. I cut rectangles out of construction paper to help me determine the sizes of the glass I would need in each color.

Yesterday I set aside some glass that I thought would work well for the various colors of the houses. I don’t seem to have quite enough room to fit all of them on my rectangle bases, so I left the last two houses off for now.

Glass rectangles / roofs laid out on the clear backer glass.

Now I have to think about how much detail to add to the fronts of the houses. I’m not sure if I will paint the windows / doors / roofs or if I will leave them as is. I do plan on adding some trees, however. I’m not very good at painting, so that also factors into my decision. I might try it on the smaller panel and see how it goes.