IT IS SO EASY TO RESCUE A MOULD, OR IT ISN'T

Some of the OG or "Original Gansta" BEE hivers already are aware that I have been able to acquire a few Fenton Cast iron Glass moulds for Bernie Bee and I to use. It sounds like a very easy process doesn't it? In the next couple of blogs, I will take you through my experience so far in getting a glass item made using my own mould. I hope that you enjoy coming along the journey with me.

CHAPTER ONE: FIRST TIME SEEING THE MOULDS-

The #4636/ #4637 Two Piece Candy Box - Original Fenton Mould

I did have the ability to see an image of some of the moulds prior to purchasing them, but a few had no image and being an adventurer, I decided to take a chance and just go for it. The first mould that I will be talking about is pictured below. This is how the moulds looked when they were delivered to Mosser Glass. They were not stored properly and you can see that they are covered in rust and debris.

The mould on the top of the picture is the lid. It is number 4636. What you are seeing is the top nob portion of the lid, the ring to the left is the lid portion. Can you see how the center whole of the top lines up with the depression in the main portion of the mould? There is a ring that goes on top of all of this and then a plunger to press the glass down and make the glass fill the mould. You will note by the seams and hinges that this is a 3 part mould. When the handler turns that wood handle and opens the mould, there are three sets of hinges that swing open allowing the glass to be removed. This mould is in the fully closed and locked position.

At the bottom of the picture is the 4637 mould. You will note that this is a two part mould. There is only one hinge for this large piece. You cannot see the to the bottom of this mould because it is filled with all kinds of goodies that need to be removed.

OFF TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR A SCRUBBY DUB

I was assured that I shouldn't worry too much about the condition of the moulds and I will tell you, I had to just trust the process and my advisors because what I saw in the pictures that were sent to me had me feeling low. My kids were looked very forlorn. The first step with any old mould is to try and get it open. Most of the time they are closed shut when they get stored. It take a literally soaking bath in a tub WD40 to get things moving again.

Once the mould is opened, the repair shop team get to work scrubbing and debriding the piece. They have to be very careful around seems or patterns in the mould in order to not scrub away the integrity of the mould. Fortunately these moulds can withstand a lot of abuse you see from the pictures below that the team did an excellent job cleaning up the moulds.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT!

Look at that shine! I was so pleased to see the finished product. They buffed out and oiled the wood handle, cleaned up the entire mould inside and out and made it ready for use. I know that I got very lucky by buying this mould blind, because it is a large piece, lots or open space for decorating, or do a carnival treatment.

If you look in the center of the bottom, you can see the Fenton Logo- This has now been burnished off the piece and I am having my own logo placed there. I am not sure what this mould was numbered and called by Fenton yet. If you know, let ME know.

Well that is it, really. The mould is now on the production list. I am having it made in jade as a first time color for it. As soon as the sample pieces are made that allow the hot metal team learn how to manipulate the mould for production I will have this run.

As always, Bernie BEE and I want to thank you all for coming on this journey with us.