De- Constructing a Totem !! ugh - oh

18 years ago

It wasn't as easy taking it apart as it was making it. This totem got so much condensation in the clear globe - you couldn't see the decoration I put there . I Wanted to get that pink glass vase out .

{{!gwi}}

I got most of it apart with a razor blade - cutting the silicon ...but the bottom plate was so stuck - it broke .

This is what happens when glass flies --- it's about a 2" cut on the inside of my forearm ....YEOWCH !

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Comments (11)

Calamity_J
18 years ago
I've got some damaged totems I need to take apart, And some are just falling apart on their own!lol!
stjohnsgypsy
18 years ago
OUCH.........Glad it missed your eyes! Nasty cut!!!!! The three totems I attempted have gone to totem heaven. May they rest in peace.
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shrty411
18 years ago
Ooh,Careful TMG!
Can you use the broke plate for a mosaic??

Maria
bamasusanna
18 years ago
Huh?? Wah?? Oh, sorry. I guess I fainted again!
Sorry TMG about your totem. But now you know how well your silicone holds!!
barbfrizzell1955
18 years ago
Aww man TMG...that sucks. You're lucky it didn't hit you in the eye! Maria's right, can you use the plate to mosaic something?

Barb
toomuchglass
Original Author
18 years ago
I didn't realize it - I also got a cut on my leg . I can't believe it !!! My dog started licking my leg , I was wondering why she was licking that spot - I looked - and there was a big cut ! (From breakng the glass off of the totem !) Sheesh !
Shades_of_idaho
18 years ago
Oh TMG I am so sorry you got cuts. And your totem broke. Funny I just had to move one of my totems today to keep it from getting broken with a yard project. I have had one totem fall apart is all but I put ones with pottery away in the winter.

I did read somewhere you have to be sure you have the sections well sealed together to keep them from condensing inside. I have been lucky so far.

I want to make a few more totems to put on poles. I like to see them sticking out of the snow in the winter.

Chris
chickeemama
18 years ago
good thing none of use are scared of blood! I dont think I have ever done a project that didnt have at least a drop of blood put into it by the end! Im glad your ok!
crackpotannie
18 years ago
Guess i won't bother making a totem...sorry TMG
haziemoon
18 years ago
So sorry to see that beautiful plate broke, and really sorry it cut you up like it did. Has anyone tried to heat up the silicone with a heat gun to get pieces apart?

Hazie
curbdiver1954
18 years ago
Yowie! Looks like that hurt big time! Haven't had a breakage problem when taking one apart yet, but I do have a suggestion about the condensation. Yes, they have to be well sealed, but just in case, I add about 1/8 tsp of silica crystals (you know, that "Do Not Eat" packet you get in shoe boxes, purses, etc) into the clear glass part before I seal it up. They swell up if there is moisture in the clear piece, but shrink right down again when it evaporates. Not real noticeable unless you look for them on purpose.

Annie - You're probably in the best place of us all for making them - your humidity is pretty low, isn't it?
HTH,
Pat