Further Fusing Weekend

One of the courses I most enjoy teaching at Creative Glass Guild is the Further Fusing Course. The two day course introduces students to new techniques in glass, frit migration, glass dilution and reactive glasses are explored by students on day one, producing a number of reference tiles based on these techniques, which can then be later referred back to to inform glass designs and decisions.

Reactive reference tiles

The colorants within our fusing glass, may react with each other when different colors are combined, learn how to expect and control this phenomenon, which colours will react with each other, and what can be expected from the reaction.

Students will learn more about volume control, how to bend the '6 mm rule' to your own advantage, with glass dilution and displacement. 

Day two will begin with a disscussion on the results of the previous day, what people enjoyed and thought worked well and what didn't, the rest of the day will be spent designing and making a high quality finished piece to incorporate the techniques learned from day 1. 

Students will be encouraged to think about how they use their chosen mould, designing a unique piece that will compliment the form of the mould.

If you would like to continue your exploration in glass by learning new techniques then CLICK HERE to get more informantion and book your place! Dates now available for 2015!!

The Anatomy of a Camera

The Anatomy of a Camera

I was recently commissioned to make a fused glass camera, and thought it would be a great opportunity to share the making process with you. To give people an insight into the process of making fused glass.

It starts with a source of inspiration, in this case the end result needs to look like what it is, IE: a Leica Camera, so the image above was found through a Google search, (i'm claiming no credit for the design of the camera, this is what the client wanted)

Deconstruct the image.

Once the design has been finalized we selected the colour palette, then I used Coral draw (computer program) to deconstruct the camera, separating it into basic shapes, and determining how to layer up the glass, this is an important stage, with many factors to consider, how the layers are going to effect each other when fired, whilst constructing in a way to reduce the number of firings. 

Whilst glass can be fired multiple times, the more you fire the more susceptible to devit, the glass becomes.

I ended up with 5 firings, because I split the paint firing in two, at a push it could have been done in three.

First Firing: FULL

As the final piece was to be wall mounted I wanted a solid base so full fused to pieces of Cream Opaque together.

Second Firing: CONTOUR

The hand cut camera pieces are assembled on the fused base and contour fused, the lens was also contour fused separately, and tack fused on in the next firing, I decided on this course for two reasons, firstly I wanted to try a couple of variations on the lens, secondly fusing the lens on in the contour fuse ran the risk of  distorting the base layer of the camera, as the added weight of the lens fusing down, would spread the crisp lines of the camera.

Third Firing: TACK

The Lens is tack Fused onto the piece.

Fourth Firing: PAINT

The final stage was painting in the detail, using traditional glass painting techniques.

Another option would have been to use high fire glass paint such as Glassline or Viquid, but, in my opinion you don't have as much control over those as you do traditional paints, I can achieve a wider variety of effects with Reusche paints. Plus it's what i'm used to and comfortable in using.

Fifth and final firing: PAINT

The final firing was another paint firing, at a lower temperature for the white glass paint, and a little more black, and ta-da! The camera is finished. 

It was an incredibly fun project to work on, and shows you really can produce anything in this versatile medium! All you need is careful planning and a solid knowledge of what glass does at different forming temperatures. So what will you commission next?????

Glass Engraving, Blaze and future courses

This past weekend saw my Experience Glass group learning the art of Sandblasting and engraving. Traditional hand tools are used to engrave into the glass, an excellent technique to explore mark making.
Some fantastic work was produced, looking forward to seeing what wonderful creations the students make next time when we learn the traditional technique of glass painting.

If you're interested in learning any aspect of glass making we are now taking bookings for next terms Experience Glass monthly course, starting in October, and we have also introduced Exploring Glass a twelve week course on a Thursday evening at Creative Glass Guild in Bristol. Spend you're evening's exploring the wonderful world of glass, and the numerous possibilities it creates!! Book your place HERE 

In other news, Blaze studios on Colston Street are now stocking my work. the co-op run studio have some amazing items, by some very talented artists, so why not pop down one sunny afternoon and see whats available.

Poppy Appeal Donation

As part of a new range of fused glass jewellery, I started making fused glass poppy brooches last year.
For each brooch sold I decided I would donate £3 to the British Legion.
I'm pleased to say that to date I have sold 13 brooches raising £39 for the Legion  to help support serving and ex-Service men and women.
Poppy Brooches are still available to buy HERE  

Thank you for your kind gift

Dear Mr Alderson

Thank you very much for your kind donation of £39.00 to The Royal British Legion. We really value your support. Your donation will be debited from your card within 2 working days.

Over 9 million people are eligible for our support and 1,000 people call on us for help every day. Your gift will help us continue to provide serving and ex-Service men and women in need of practical, financial and emotional support; as well as campaign for their best interests.

Yours sincerely

Charles Byrne
Director of Fundraising
The Royal British Legion

EXPERIENCE GLASS

My monthly group of students are coming on well, this month we looked at the stained glass process, the students came prepared with designs in mind which we then created templates for, cut out the glass, leaded and soldered together. Quite an under taking in a day! we will cement the panels in the next class then look at the copper foiling process. For more details on the course CLICK HERE or contact Creative Glass Guild