So far this week Walter and I have spent a lot of time thinking about the possible new project using salvaged wood from the Portland area.  Yesterday we met with Donald from Urban Timber Works, a company that saves trees in Portland's urban environment from turning into firewood and transforms them into magnificent pieces of art and furniture.  Donald showed Walter and me some pictures of his work so that Walter will be able to have some visual aids for when he presents his idea to the judging committee.  He and I have picked up a whole new vocabulary used when talking about trees and salvaged wood.  I am astonished about how much Walter needs to know about all different sorts of work for him to do his job well.  There is absolutely no glass in this piece, but he still has to be just as familiar with the new medium (so to speak).  He has had to meet with Donald twice, and Donald's associate, Jules, once, to talk about legistics of the piece and to make sure his ideas will work out in reality. 

Yesterday we also took a trip to Newberg to deliver the second template we made for the cabinet workers to their store.  We wanted to make sure they we were all on the same page and the template outlined exactly what Walter and I are planning to do with this boomerang shaped counter that has slightly seraded edges.  Today we finished making the mold that this oddly shaped counter will fit in while inside the kiln.  We had to cut several pieces of thick board and outline the rim of where the glass would be placed.  While in the kiln, the glass will meld together and form to the shape of the mold.  On Thursday we will start loading the kiln with the glass we broke last week, and I believe then we can set the kiln schedule and leave the piece inside for ten or twelve days.  I do not understand how the kiln works at all.  Walter often uses the analogy that using a kiln is like giving birth.  You need to make sure the temperature at which you open the kiln at the end of the twelve days is the same temperature as the room.  I still have no idea what goes on inside the kiln.  It just gets very, very warm.  

Links:

Urban Timber Works:  http://www.urbantimberworks.com/index.shtml