The Process

The preparation of each piece takes time and patience to ensure perfect results after firing. Each piece starts out as a plain sheet of glass. Many different materials are used to create textures and effects within and on the glass.

These include metals, foils, mesh, enamel powders, glass grains, oxides, gold and silver leaf, and copper wire. It is these materials that are combined on the glass surface to create the design to be fused within layers of glass. Once the design is complete the glass is kiln fired at temperatures in excess of 800°C. The process of fusing the glass takes around 24 hours, the glass needs to cool slowly to prevent thermal shock which will crack the glass. If the fused glass panel is to be made into a bowl it is then placed onto a ceramic mould and reheated to around 730 degrees C. At this temperature the glass slumps to take on the shape of the mould. Again the glass is allowed to cool slowly to avoid stresses within the glass. This final firing process takes an additional 24 hours to complete. It is the combination of materials and individual designs which make each piece of fused glass unique.