Glass Process

My Process -

Glass fusing is a labor of love. This is a very time consuming process, but the results are beautiful. All of my glass is compatible - rate of expansion and contraction is the same. I take sheets of flat glass, hand cut and assemble in layers to make an original design. Most of my pieces are fired in a kiln an average of 3 - 4 times. Each firing averages 15 - 24+ hours, depending on the size and thickness of the glass pieces.

Many times I will make a glass piece that will sparkle (using iridescent glasses) when light or sun shines on it so its appearance changes in a home throughout the day. I specialize in glass art which has tactile dimension (ie: Flowers) and/or color depth variation. Both take multiple firings to achieve, firing the flatest layer first and then adding an additional layer(s) and fire again.

History -

Glass Fusing (also called Warm glass) is a very old labor intensive technique with rudimentary beginnings dating from about 2000 BC. The process allows layers of cut glass to melt together (fuse) in a kiln. It looks like when Glass Blowing (Hot Glass) began, glass fusing fell out of favor. A revival of this old process began about 60 years ago.

Glass Terms -

Full Fuse - Usually the first firing step. Takes sufficient heat and time to fully melt the flat layers of glass together into a sinlge piece. I usually fire at 1480 degrees. This process can be repeated as needed.

Tack Fuse - Usually the second step. Additional flat layers of glass are melted onto but not fully into the base glass. This is accomplished by firing at a lower temperature - 1350 to 1450 degrees. This is how I get tactile dimension in my glass. This process can also be repeated as needed.

Slump - This is often the final step which allows the flat fused glass to soften just enough to conform to the shape of a mold at still a lower temperature - 1240 degrees.