You’ve enjoyed success making the usual plates, bowls and vases following practices and guidelines laid out by the experts. But the element of surprise and the thrill of the unexpected success is missing. If you find yourself blindly staring at the glass wishing for inspiration, then it’s time to take your glass art to the next level.
Make art that excites you again.
Sculpture romances the viewer. It pulls them in like a magnet. Give your art unique shape and the viewer will be hooked. With so many fusing materials at your disposal, it’s never been easier to get creative with your art’s profile. The easiest way to get unique shapes is to drape fiber material over an existing slumping mold. Give the fiber paper exaggerated contours by tucking kiln posts or fiber board between the mold and the fiber.
You can also achieve new shapes by combining different ceramic or stainless steel slumping molds together. Some of my most exciting pieces are made this way.
If you’re shy to jump in, build a sample out of clear glass. Make the sample the same shape, size, and thickness as the intended project. Clear is the best choice because it’s the least expensive glass. And you can see through it to see where the glass rests on the mold assembly. Then you’re able to make adjustments to the final piece as needed. Plus, there’s no waste. The clear sample can be smashed and used for casting filler. It’s a win, win.
The wonderful thing about this technique is every piece of glass you slump has a one-of-a-kind profile. They are your own personalized original. Now that’s exciting!
Get crazy and combine techniques and you have a showstopper.
The biggest drawback to this in-depth approach is the amount of time necessary to plan an exceptional project. True, not all projects warrant this much effort. But if you work in stages on a few, you’ll find the outcome is extremely rewarding.
How to get started.
Start by studying finished art that you find attractive. Define what it is about the piece that appeals to you. Is it the shape, the colors, the pattern, or the design? Take that element and put it aside temporarily. Maybe loosely sketch it out on paper for quick reference later. Do this for three individual pieces of art.
Small details can have a huge impact on the visual appearance of your art. Don’t underestimate the power of minor changes to customary pieces. When trying to navigate a new territory, you’ll have the greatest success if you take what has worked for you in the past and then expand on it to create something all new and unexpected.
Pattern and shape are two of the simplest elements that can easily be manipulated to dramatically increase the appeal of fused glass art. By adding unique patterns and building new shapes you can draw the viewer in and lock their attention tight. In the end, isn’t that our ultimate goal, to inspire people?
Here’s how.
Anchor the viewer’s eye with an interesting pattern. Unexpected bubbles are usually considered undesirable. But when made into a uniform design, bubbles can add a whole new dimension to the glass art. Designing withbubbles is a terrific way to add decoration and a little sparkle. Light dances inside the tiny dome shapes which increases the appearance of depth and the overall intricacy of the finished piece.
Making small, 2” x 2” test pieces will give you an opportunity to try unusual color combinations. It also builds confidence because you know what to expect when you go bigger. The best part of this technique is the possibilities for imaginative designs are endless. Try it. You’ll be blown away!
Design developer.
Take it a step further and create your own designs. Go back to the three pieces of art you studied earlier. Take the three elements that attracted you and combine them with a unique pattern and a sculptural shape. Now you’re on the threshold of greatness!
These are just a few examples you can employ to expand your artistic range. If you’re ready to rush into your studio, excited about the possibilities, don’t stop here. These techniques have great potential for expansion in so many directions. Take them and run and set your imagination free.
Are you ready to take your art to the next level? Want personalized instruction and guidance? Join me February 21-24, 2023, for my Sculptural Fused Glass Class.
Wherever you are in your journey you are doing great! Keep creating!
What Students Say
“Outstanding workshop! I loved the organization of class and materials and the individualized instruction. Lisa is able to keep each student with different abilities moving along and creating beautiful pieces. I was surprised how much we accomplished in the class.” – Susan D.
“My favorite thing about the class was everything! Really enjoyed the diversity of the projects and getting to work on so many in one week. I was surprised by how much I learned and how quickly time passed each day. I also enjoyed the personalized instruction.
“Lisa, you did an awesome job of keeping on task during the workshop and also it was very inspiring and relaxing to create in your atmosphere.” – Lisa R.
“My favorite thing about the class was learning how to make sculptures, the different techniques, and all the different aspects of working with the glass. Lisa was very informative and very knowledgeable. She is an excellent teacher, and I will come back for another class.” – Terry G.
Happy Fusing!
Lisa
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DIY Pendant Lights Wee Webinar
February 9, 2023
DIY Pendant Lights Made Easy with Lisa Vogt Wee Webinar
Design, fabrication and installation by Jake and Jessie Battin
Custom pendant lights are a wonderful way to add a custom, personalized touch to your family’s hub, the kitchen. In this special event I will share treasured fun and creative family time in my glass studio with you. You’ll follow the design and construction of a beautiful pendant light as my daughter and son-in-law dive deep into the world of glass fusing to create beautiful art to light the loving center of their new home.
In this concentrated, live event you will learn how to make a fused glass pendant light from start to finish. I’ll show you step-by-step how to create an attractive design, how to cut large glass circles, and how to create three-D design elements that pop. In addition, I’ll share project specific firing guides I developed to successfully fuse, tack and drape pieces with an intricate free-form shape.
As a bonus, we share images of our ugly, but lovable, test piece. You’ll learn why we didn’t like it and how we adjusted the project assembly and firings to achieve the results we wanted.
Plus, we’ll show you how easy it is to drill the hole needed to accommodate the light fixture.
Also included, you’ll receive a tools and materials list that includes detailed information about the draping mold, the glass drill bits and the lighting fixtures we used.
All DIY creative enthusiasts are invited to attend. Enjoy the thrill of renewed inspiration, motivation, and artistic freedom after seeing how easy it is to add your own personal, artistic touch to your home.
Wee Webinar
● One-hour sessions teaching a project from start to finish
● A chance to ask your own questions via live chat
● Instructor handouts that include firing schedules provided
● Link to the recorded version that never expires available after the live event
● Participation in the live event not required to receive the recording
ONLY 1 SEAT LEFT!
Sculptural Fused Glass, 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop, February 21-24, 2023
Register now. Class is limited to 3 students and held in my private studio in Wesley Chapel, Florida. All class materials are included.
This is the turning-point workshop you’ve been waiting for.
It’s hard to describe what it’s like when I’m feeling the creative flow. Time flies. Hours pass in what I thought were minutes. My naturally distracted mind is focused on what my hands are doing, and nothing else. I get lost in my own world. When I return to reality, I feel rejuvenated and spiritually uplifted. That’s why I like sharing my studio space with others. I try to give them that experience and hope they feel the same inspiration and fulfillment I do. -Lisa
This class is for you! Any skill level can attend. Beginner, intermediate and advanced students alike will learn how to advance their glass fusing skills and expand their artistic style.
Join me and I’ll show you all the pro tips and tricks I use to make stunning 3-dimnesional art. You’ll learn how to combine advanced techniques in new ways to create extraordinary sculptural pieces of art.
You’ll leave class with several completed glass sculptures, my custom firing guides, and a deeper understanding of sculptural fused glass fabrication. You’ll have the knowledge, confidence, and inspiration you’ve been craving to take your artwork to the next level.
Materials are included, that’s a $150.00 value!
Artwear Designed for Artists by Artists.
Tell them how you really feel with sassy mugs, Eco-totes and bold T-shirts!
Downloadable instructional videos for every skill level.
