Thank you for your answer below! More questions. Could you rigidize just one side if forming it OVER rather than INTO something as you demonstrated on video? And if so, I am assuming the side that is wet from rigidizer would go against the mold, not the dry side? Lastly, I plan to create my "mold" from thick fiber paper that will be on aluminum foil that I will put the wet silkemat with rigidizer onto. Then transfering it to the kiln to dry in kiln at 150 degrees. Is there a problem keeping it on aluminum foil at 150 in kiln? Assuming not, as we bake with foil at much higher temperatures?
Yes, you are absolutely right. I use aluminum foil a lot for just that purpose. Are you on FB "SilkeMat Tips & Techniques "? Would love to see pics of what you create.
OK, good to know on foil! Can you address my questions on rigidizing one side? Unfortunately, my FB account was hacked a few months ago and FB closed my access! Very upsetting as the hacker made it look like I was the imposter. I lost everything - 12 years of history, photos.... I will email you any photos of what I make, if I am successful!@@barbaracashman
I've just bought some silkmat and can't wait to try rigidizing it! Thanks for your fantastic video. Can you tell me what the advantage is of only rigidizing one side of the bowl mold. Is it just as strong as soaking the rigidizer through? Thanks
I like the soft texture on some things, and it gives me the flexibility to bend edges on jellyfish. But if you want a smoother surface, then rigidize both sides. As for strength, it depends on how large or heavy your project. If you're supporting a lot of weight, then coat both sides. That help?
Depends on how "sopped" it is. You really don't need to saturate. I put outside in nice weather. You can put in a warm kiln if your model will handle it, at about 150F for several hours.
HI Barbara, I'm making my first SilkMat mold. It is a simple arched mold to bend (8) 4" x 12" pieces of colored glass. The glass is part of the border of an arched stained glass window. I'm concerned about the mold shrinking and not sure how to preshrink the SilkMat before creating the mold. Can I preshrink the SilkMat in my kitchen oven? If so, what temperature should I use? I do have access to glass fusing kiln if I need to use that. You video is very helpful Best regards Tony
Hi Tony. FYI, complete instructions for SilkeMat &SilkeMat Rigidizer is on the SilkeMat.com site. Vent your kiln and fire to 1450F for 30 minutes. That's all. Don't put on a kiln shelf unless you fire slower than 9999. AFAP will Crack your shelf. Did that answer your question?
I'm finally ready to use my silkmat. Quick question. Once u spread the rigidizer on both sides, do u let it dry in the same tray or do u transfer it to a fresh tray to air dry. If so, do I have to line the new "drying" tray with something like parchment paper or saran wrap, or spray it w Pam to facilitate release when it's dry. Thanks in advance fe
Barbara, curiosity questions.....I have few tiny and few medium size faces in ceramic. I love to make molds for them so I can use fruits and make some glass jewels for my leaded panels. How can I use the blanket for this?
It really depends on the size and detail. SilkeMat is about 1/4" thick. If they are tiny, I might recommend your making a silicone mold and using the Freeze 'n Fuse technique.
@@barbaracashman I tought so but I think I get away with the two medium (5" 7" ). Excited because I have few plastic mold to build rocky diagrams wich I can use to for slumping after the mold is done....
I am going to use this silkemat to shape a 6mm thick project, approx. 35cmx45cm, 10 cm deep. Is one layer silkemat strong enough, or do you advice me to make a mold using 2 layers?
I don't understand what you did with the metal frame in using this mold for a firing? I also can't figure out how the ventilation holes didn't cause some type of shaping on the bottom of the fired pieces in the molds you created. Can you answer?
I air dry first, or set the kiln to a low 150F-200F, vented, for a few hours; then ramp AFAP to 1450F for 20-30 minutes to fully cure. Do NOT set on a ceramic kiln shelf if you are firing AFAP to 1450, as it will probably thermal-shock your shelf. I just put in the bottom of the kiln. If you have to set on a ceramic shelf, then slow your firing down to what your shelf can handle.There will be a slight burn-off of moisture, so the kiln should be slightly vented.
Hi Tad. Thank you for asking. I make the Rigidizer myself. And it is non-flammable. Most rigidizers contain glycol (or similar) and it has a flash point. More information on the website: www.SilkeMat.com or www.bjcashman.com
Hi Elaine. Depending on where you live, there is a list of distributors on the SilkeMat.com website and you can also purchase directly from me at bjcashman.com. If you are out of the USA, we do have some international dealers listed on SilkeMat. Just let me know how I can help - Barbara
Just bought my first ridgidizer. Can’t wait to give it a go!!
Way to go, Laura! Let us know if you have any questions and I also invite you to join our FB group "SilkeMat Tips &Techniques"
Thank you for your answer below! More questions. Could you rigidize just one side if forming it OVER rather than INTO something as you demonstrated on video? And if so, I am assuming the side that is wet from rigidizer would go against the mold, not the dry side? Lastly, I plan to create my "mold" from thick fiber paper that will be on aluminum foil that I will put the wet silkemat with rigidizer onto. Then transfering it to the kiln to dry in kiln at 150 degrees. Is there a problem keeping it on aluminum foil at 150 in kiln? Assuming not, as we bake with foil at much higher temperatures?
Yes, you are absolutely right. I use aluminum foil a lot for just that purpose. Are you on FB "SilkeMat Tips & Techniques "? Would love to see pics of what you create.
OK, good to know on foil! Can you address my questions on rigidizing one side? Unfortunately, my FB account was hacked a few months ago and FB closed my access! Very upsetting as the hacker made it look like I was the imposter. I lost everything - 12 years of history, photos.... I will email you any photos of what I make, if I am successful!@@barbaracashman
Your product is amazing and easy to use. Thanks a bunch! Cathy
I've just bought some silkmat and can't wait to try rigidizing it! Thanks for your fantastic video. Can you tell me what the advantage is of only rigidizing one side of the bowl mold. Is it just as strong as soaking the rigidizer through? Thanks
I like the soft texture on some things, and it gives me the flexibility to bend edges on jellyfish. But if you want a smoother surface, then rigidize both sides. As for strength, it depends on how large or heavy your project. If you're supporting a lot of weight, then coat both sides. That help?
@@barbaracashman Thanks. yes, your answer explains it. thanks.👍🙂
Depends on how "sopped" it is. You really don't need to saturate. I put outside in nice weather. You can put in a warm kiln if your model will handle it, at about 150F for several hours.
HI Barbara, I'm making my first SilkMat mold. It is a simple arched mold to bend (8) 4" x 12" pieces of colored glass. The glass is part of the border of an arched stained glass window. I'm concerned about the mold shrinking and not sure how to preshrink the SilkMat before creating the mold. Can I preshrink the SilkMat in my kitchen oven? If so, what temperature should I use? I do have access to glass fusing kiln if I need to use that.
You video is very helpful
Best regards
Tony
Hi Tony. FYI, complete instructions for SilkeMat &SilkeMat Rigidizer is on the SilkeMat.com site. Vent your kiln and fire to 1450F for 30 minutes. That's all. Don't put on a kiln shelf unless you fire slower than 9999. AFAP will Crack your shelf. Did that answer your question?
This looks amazing I will one day have a go can you purchase in the uk please.thank you Sue x
Yes you can! Creative Glass Guild & Warm Glass UK both carry SilkeMat and Rigidizer
I'm finally ready to use my silkmat. Quick question. Once u spread the rigidizer on both sides, do u let it dry in the same tray or do u transfer it to a fresh tray to air dry. If so, do I have to line the new "drying" tray with something like parchment paper or saran wrap, or spray it w Pam to facilitate release when it's dry. Thanks in advance fe
Sorry I missed this question. You can spread out on aluminum foil, if you wish.
At what temperature do you fire the rigidized mold to cure it if the silke mat was not pre fired?
Prefiring and curing temperatures are the same.
Barbara, curiosity questions.....I have few tiny and few medium size faces in ceramic. I love to make molds for them so I can use fruits and make some glass jewels for my leaded panels. How can I use the blanket for this?
It really depends on the size and detail. SilkeMat is about 1/4" thick. If they are tiny, I might recommend your making a silicone mold and using the Freeze 'n Fuse technique.
@@barbaracashman I tought so but I think I get away with the two medium (5" 7" ).
Excited because I have few plastic mold to build rocky diagrams wich I can use to for slumping after the mold is done....
@@joeleggiero7897 good luck. let me know if I can of further help.
Hi Barbara! How long does the rigidizer take to air dry? I have had it sitting over the "mold" for about 24 hours and still pretty sopped.
I don't know why my answer isn't here, since I know I answered it. Set in a warm kiln (150-200F) for a few hours. Dry slowly or it could warp.
I am going to use this silkemat to shape a 6mm thick project, approx. 35cmx45cm, 10 cm deep. Is one layer silkemat strong enough, or do you advice me to make a mold using 2 layers?
I'm sorry I didn't get an alert on this question. One layer has always been strong enough. I'm assuming your glass is no more than 2 layers.
I don't understand what you did with the metal frame in using this mold for a firing? I also can't figure out how the ventilation holes didn't cause some type of shaping on the bottom of the fired pieces in the molds you created. Can you answer?
They are pot melts, not molds for firing. The metal squared contained the glass that came out of the pot melt.
@@lisaferguson4100 does one need to put small holes in the bottom of a mold for air escape when slumping?
I haven't needed to do that.
can this be used in enameling- 1475 degrees F for 2 min or so?
SilkeMat can sustain temperatures to almost 1000C. I'm not sure how you plan to use, but it will definitely be thermally protective.
How do you make your ridgidizer?
It's a proprietary formula, Marie. We make it ourselves.
firing schedule for the preparation?
I air dry first, or set the kiln to a low 150F-200F, vented, for a few hours; then ramp AFAP to 1450F for 20-30 minutes to fully cure. Do NOT set on a ceramic kiln shelf if you are firing AFAP to 1450, as it will probably thermal-shock your shelf. I just put in the bottom of the kiln. If you have to set on a ceramic shelf, then slow your firing down to what your shelf can handle.There will be a slight burn-off of moisture, so the kiln should be slightly vented.
How do you make the rigidizer?
Hi Tad. Thank you for asking. I make the Rigidizer myself. And it is non-flammable. Most rigidizers contain glycol (or similar) and it has a flash point. More information on the website: www.SilkeMat.com or www.bjcashman.com
The glycol is added to prevent freezing. Freezing pulls the colloidal silica out of solution ruining the rigidizer.
Take fumed silica and add it to water. Thin to desired consistency.
Michael Dinsmoor is that how you make rigidizer ? and this is safer?
where do i buy?
Hi Elaine. Depending on where you live, there is a list of distributors on the SilkeMat.com website and you can also purchase directly from me at bjcashman.com. If you are out of the USA, we do have some international dealers listed on SilkeMat. Just let me know how I can help - Barbara
@@barbaracashman i live in Idaho. and can buy from u, but what is shipping costs to idaho for the different sizes
@@barbaracashman when u say vented kiln.. how much vented?
How do you make the rigidizer?
It's a proprietary formula. Did you have a question about it?