How I Work
People frequently ask me whether I know how my glass pieces are going to look after they're fired. The honest answer is "yes and no".
 I invariably have a plan in mind when I get started, but sometimes the glass inspires me to do something completely different. The first step is assembling a piece by combining different types of glass, all with the same coefficient of expansion (COE). If I were to use a piece of glass that is not compatible with the others, the piece would have a good chance of shattering, since different COE's expand and contract at different temperatures.
The piece is fired between 1400 degrees and 1550 degrees, depending on the effects to be achieved and the thickness of the "stack" of glasses. Typically, that will be between two and three pieces totaling 5-6mm. Once the piece has been fired to the desired temperature, it has to cool slowly (anneal) in the kiln. It is safe to remove the glass from the kiln when the temperature has reached about 250 degrees.
At that point, I decide whether an addition or subtraction of an element will enhance the look of the piece. That means either adding small pieces of additional glass (often more dichroic glass), or grinding some away -- either way, it will be necessary to refire it, and let it cool the same way. Sometimes an additional trip to the kiln will be indicated to "fire polish"it.
The resulting piece is then finished with the appropriate finding (clasp, etc. -- if it's jewelry), or it will make another trip to the kiln to be slumped or draped over a mold to shape it into a bowl, plate, votive holder or other accessory.
At every step of the way, I find all this a stimulating adventure, and I've always left my studio feeling I'd produced something beautiful, or that I've learned an important lesson, or picked up another trick to add to my others.
I love sharing my work with people who enjoy having one-of-a-kind, carefully thought-out and lovingly handmade art glass.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or would like to explore the possibility of doing special on a custom basis. Those collaborations are a real pleasure, and a challenge I welcome.
I am a member of Chix in Business and the International Glass Artists Guild.
|
