Creating Dimension Video Series - Course Materials

Did you purchase Creating Dimension Video Series Course 1 or and of the Bundles? Below is a complete set of materials organized into 5 Sections:  Glass, Enamels/Medium, Tools, Dams, & Supplies/Consumables.

Glass

Without knowing the size of glass you might want to use. It is best that that you purchase what is best or use existing your stock. I do not sell or ship pre-cut glass. Cutting/size instructions for Course 1 Projects are in the course Materials List Handouts. Cutting information for multi-layered projects is in Course 2. 

Glass & Glass Powder:

  1. Base Layer - White Glass: Typically, white glass is best as the bottom layer for multi-layered projects and can be painted any color with enamels. However, you can use another color of glass or "streaky" glass (More Info in Course 2). For Oceanside Glass the number is SF200 and for Bullseye Glass the number typically starts with BE000013 (others also work).
  2. Clear or Crystal Clear Glass: Glass recommendations for projects beyond 2-layers, it is suggested to use Crystal Clear Glass to avoid the blue tine build up from Standard Clear Glass. For Oceanside Glass the number is SF100XTL and for Bullseye Glass the number typically starts with BE001401. Bullseye Tekta is the smoothest glass for enamel painting.
  3. Clear Powder/Minimize Bubbles: In Course 4 we apply Clear Powder to minimize visible bubbles in fired work and only a small amount is needed to sift or shake onto your layers. For Oceanside glass use Water Clear Powder or Clear Powder. For Bullseye glass use Crystal Clear Powder. The number usually starts with BE001401.  

Enamels and Medium

Enamel brand use is largely a personal choice and I discuss commonly used brands in Course 1. I personally use FuseMaster EZ Fire Enamels and are available through Coachella Glassworks. I also get great results with Rogue Enamels.  

FuseMaster EZ Fire Enamels

While individual colors of EZ Fire Enamels can be purchased from Coachella Glassworks, I have created two Starter Kits, specifically for those who have purchased the Creating Dimension Video Series.

Starter Kit A: 7 initial enamel colors, plus 8 oz of FuseMaster Silk Screen Medium. (This kit was designed with all the color you need for the Course 1 video “Introduction to Enamels”)

  • #308 - Opaque White - 2 oz
  • #301 - Sun Yellow - 1 oz
  • #305 - Red - 1 oz
  • #310 - Black - 1 oz
  • #311 - Grass Green - 1 oz
  • #316 - Blue - 1 oz
  • #326 - Chocolate - 1 oz
  • FuseMaster Silk Screen Medium - 8 Oz
  • Bonus easy-to-use 2 oz bottle for silk screen medium

 

Starter Kit B: 8 enamel colors, 2 oz of Opaque White, 1 oz of an additional color, for a total of 9 oz of enamel. It does not contain additional medium, but you can order more separately if needed.

  • #308 - Opaque White - 2 oz
  • #312 - Chrome Green - 1 oz
  • #314 - Turquoise- 1 oz
  • #318 - Grey  - 1 oz
  • #321 - Real Teal- 1 oz
  • #327 - Ultra Violet- 1 oz
  • #328 - Citrus- 1 oz
  • #350 - Clear (used for mixing) - 1 oz

 

Note: Both Starter Kits contain 2 oz of Opaque White since many artists use to lighten the other colors. 

Starter Kits A & B Together: Provides you with thousands of color variations that you can create which is the complete palette recommended in the complete Creating Dimension Video Series

Purchasing: Starter Kits A and B are priced 15% lower than the list price for the individual items.

 

Tools

18 essential tools are needed for the Creating Dimension video series and are available as a kit for a bundled price but are also available individually.

Took Kit Contains

  • Five paintbrushes (3 liners of various sizes, an angled shader, and a fan brush) are the brushes Paul uses in his own work because of the ability to render detailed strokes and effects that are useful in landscapes.
  • Two palette knives that work best for mixing and applying enamel to glass.
  • A digital scale, which reads enamel weights down to .1 gram.
  • Stainless steel bent tip tweezers
  • Stainless steel needle tool
  • Double-headed rubber wipe-out tool
  • Two styles of craft knives (retractable and craft style)
  • Ultra-fine tip black Sharpie
  • Two Powder Shaker Tubes (used in Course 4)
  • One set of 7 sponge pouncers, assorted sizes
  • One Elmer's Glue Stick

The tool kit as well as the individual tools are all included in the list below.  Some additional tools and items (such as storage jars) are also included in the products below.

 

Dams

To minimize coldwork after firing it is recommended to use a double-layered set of dams. (Paul is not a fan of cold-work and has refined his firing practices to minimize and/or eliminate it.) After the final firing only a few minutes of touch-up using hand pads is needed when assembled and fired correctly. This kit contains 8 ceramic/brick dam components and when used together provide excellent results for thick panels. These dams are usable for projects on a kiln shelf as small as 10” x 12”.  

* If you own a small kiln with smaller shelf, it is suggested to use Bullseye Hot Damz (10") which can be purchased elsewhere.  

Dam Kits are available in 3 Sizes (They contain the same dams but are trimmed to shorter lengths for smaller kilns.)

  • Large: Kiln Shelves 16” x 18” or larger
  • Medium: Kiln Shelves 14” x 16” or larger
  • Small: Kiln Shelves 10” x 12” or larger

Contact Paul Messink at Info@CoachellaGlassworks.com if you have any questions about kiln suitability.


Materials for Course 4

Creating Dimension Course 4 covers two specialty topics, that require additional items such as powder shaker tubes, needle tool (for bubble control) and fog powder (to create ethereal, foggy effects).  You'll find these items below as well.  (The powder shaker tubes and the needle tool are included in the bundled Tool Kit.)

 

Supplies and Consumables

There are a number of small items that are used in each piece, that you may find helpful to have.  I don't sell most of these supplies and consumables, as they are generally easy to get locally or through Amazon.  (I do sell pouncer sponges, which are harder to find.) 

Here are some things I recommend you have on hand:

  • Sponge Pouncers.  I have two varieties available of CoachellaGlassworks.com.  They are also available in craft stores and Amazon, but I've found that the quality of the foam is often not very good.  Better sponges allow you to gently squeeze out the remaining enamel and then wash them, so you can re-use them a few times before they start falling apart.
  • Popsicle Sticks (also called Craft Sticks, or in the UK - Lolly Sticks).  These are useful for moving enamel around, and are also useful for mixing enamels.  Available at craft stores or at Amazon (search "craft sticks").  Get the thinner type - not wider "tongue depressors" that the doctor uses to check your throat!
  • Q-Tips.  Very helpful for cleaning small areas of your glass, and for cleaning the edges.  Available at drug stores, bath/beauty stores, or Amazon (search Q-tips).
  • Contact Paper.  This is used in making stencils, and I highly recommend Contact brand contact paper - look for the clear matte variety - it has blue writing on the back.  Available in the US at Target or Walmart, or on Amazon.  A small 9' roll of 18" wide contact paper is a good first buy.  In the UK, this may be called "Sticky back paper".
  • Condiment cups and lids.  Useful for mixing smaller batches of enamel, and for short-term storage (up to a week or two).  These are not good for long-term storage as the plastic erodes quickly.  Available at most grocery stores.  They are also available at Amazon, although I've found the quality of bulk boxes or condiment cups is not as high as the grocery store variety.  A 2 oz cup is a good size to get.
  • Glue to attach shelf paper strips to dams.  A variety of adhesives can work, as long as it burns off cleanly.  I like Elmer's Glue Sticks because they are easy to use to attach paper to clean ceramic dams.  Available at most drug stores, hardware stores, etc, and on Amazon.

 

In addition to all of the above information, you'll find a detailed Materials List for each project in the handouts for each course.