Process

1) Glass arrives in 2’ x 3’ long sheets and is clear and colored, opaque and transparent.

2) Tubes of glass stringers are thin strands of glass varying in thickness and color.

3) Jars of glass frit are small pieces of glass ranging in size from a fine grade to a course grade.

4) Jars of glass powder can be used to make glass wafers and even paint among other uses.

5) Some of the hand tools used to work with glass.

6) Kiln shelf prep. Shelves are scraped and a number of layers of kiln wash are applied to act as a separator between the glass and ceramic shelf when firing.

7) Cutting and designing a piece. Glass sheets are 3mm thick and need to be layered to 6mm for most pieces since the glass will pull in or expand to reach that height unless edges are contained or unique firing temps are used in order to achieve special effects.

8) Laying a piece out on the kiln shelf prior to first firing.

9) Firing a piece for the first time in a kiln ranging in temp from 1385-1650F. I fire most pieces 3+ times which takes about 24 hours for each firing (from heat up to cool down). The heating temps vary depending on the outcome I’m wanting to achieve but the “ramp up” heating of the glass and the cooling times are critical to insure the piece does not crack and the glass remains stable.

10) Pieces can be sandblasted both for effect and to remove impurities from a firing.

11) Pieces may be “ground” to even out edges or create a special effect.

12) Wet tile saws are used to cut fired glass blocks or create strips etc. Water is needed with most power tools to keep the glass at a cool enough temperature so it does not “shock” and break.

13) Wet hand grinders with various grit disks are used to smooth surfaces on both glass and stone.

14) Molds are used in the last firing of some pieces to create the final shape.

15) The drill press is used to drill holes in both glass and stone.

16) My studio.