Embedded Files
Standard fused glass piece
A standard fused glass piece usually takes 26 hours. I start by measuring and marking out each piece of glass. I then score the glass and use either running pliers or grozing pliers to cut the glass into the shape I want. I then assemble the image or pattern that I want to create using a small amount of glue to temporarily hold the pieces together, this also makes it easier to put the piece into the kiln. I then use a full fuse firing schedule which fires the glass from room temperature to 795 degrees Celsius and back to room temperature over a 24 hour period. After the glass has been fired, I then use sand paper to remove any rough edges and finally polish it.
Lanterns
Lanterns can take up to 26 hours to make. To create lanterns, I first mark the edges of each panel before removing the glass out of the lantern. I then create patterns or images with different coloured pieces of bullseye glass. After I have arranged the glass on each panel, I then put the glass in the kiln and use a tack fuse firing schedule. A tack fuse is a low temperature heating where different pieces of glass stick together but still retain their individual shapes. After the glass has been fired, I then polish the glass and put the panels back into the lantern.
Bowls
Bowls can take up to 50 hours to make. I start by drawing around the mould I want to use on a large piece of clear transparent glass. I then start to create a pattern with the glass creating around 2 or 3 layers to ensure the pieces are all connected. I then put the glass in the kiln a use a full fuse firing schedule which takes up to 24 hours to complete. When the firing is done, I polish the glass a prepare the kiln for a slump firing. A slump firing is a process that uses gravity and heat from a kiln to shape sheets of glass using a mould which takes another 24 hours in the kiln. I start by putting the mould I drew around in the kiln and then place the glass on top of the mould making sure the glass lines up with the edge of the mould. Once the firing process is complete, I polish the glass again and add bumpers to the base to stop the bowl from moving on flat surfaces.
Bottle firings
Bottle firing are really simple and can work with any glass bottle size or colour. I start by clean the bottles and removing any labels attached to the bottle and once it has dried I then put it straight into the kiln and lie it flat on the kiln shelf as a mould is not required. It is then left in the kiln for 24 hours where the heat makes the bottle collapse on its shelf but leaves any textures or patterns on the bottle. If the bottle is clear and has no patterns, I sometimes put transparent glass inside to make them look more exciting.
Bottle clocks
Bottle clocks use the same process as bottle firings however after it has been fired, I then carefully drill a hole into the bottle and then assemble a clock mechanism .
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse