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Defy Conventional Thinking and Make Something Amazing in 5 Easy Steps.

Knowledge – Confidence – Inspiration

NEW Weave Bowl Project Video

Start with a unique oval shape.

The oval is an elegant shape traditionally associated with luxury and wealth. It’s a shape that’s easy to make in glass. I honestly don’t know why, we as high thinking creatives, don’t take advantage of its particular attraction more often.

I’ve used the weave technique many times to make square bowls and rectangular lanterns. The openness of the construction, and the playful overlap of colors combined with the fascinating texture all contribute to the charm of the finished piece. I thought to myself, how can I take this winning combination to the next level? The answer of course was to use this simple, but effective technique to make an unexpected oval shape.

Fabricate your piece with a distinctive glass weave technique.

My weave technique is super easy, surprisingly fun to use and produces very effective results. It’s simple. Pick a color palate and cut a series of ¼ inch wide strips of glass. Cut more strips than you think you’ll need to make your project. This way you have extra and won’t have to interrupt the assembly step to cut more glass. I used both transparent and opal glass, plus dichroic glass on clear.

Draw the oval shape on a primed or fiber paper covered kiln shelf. The weave is made with 4 layers of glass strips. I laid my strips out diagonally for added interest. Layout layer 1 leaving plenty of room between the strips for layer 3. Cut the pieces to size. I intentionally cut my pieces to create a fringe edge. Layout the strips for layer 2 in the opposite direction. Leave room between the strips for layer 4. Repeat with layer 3 and 4. Carefully load the kiln shelf and assembled project in the kiln. Fire to a Tack Fuse temperature.

Use the heat of your kiln to create your own custom results.

This project is tack fused together. At this temperature the resulting project retains the woven texture.  The pieces are heated to the point where they stick together, and the bond is strong enough for the project to support its own weight. The attractive textural quality is both visual and physical which makes the piece more engaging. Consider using the tack fuse temperature to add details and accent pieces to fused glass art to introduce another facet of interest. Here, on this weave bowl the tack fuse option really increases the level of sophistication of this piece of art.   

Slump your glass to give it a graceful profile.

Slumping adds elegance and a pleasing three dimensional quality to your fused glass art. The physical texture created by the weave is also greatly enhanced by the gradual curvature of the bowl shape.

Finish with a custom base worthy of your exceptional artwork.

Making a custom stand or base is equally as exciting as making a striking piece of art. It’s rewarding to follow thorough to the natural completion of a project with a display that shows it off. A base gives the art lift which immediately increases the perceived value and visual intricacy of the finished piece. It also allows light to go through the glass and cast reflections that enlarge the overall impression of the art.  Keep the stand or base simple. It should add to the art, not overpower it, or distract from it’s beauty.   

Keep the dream alive!

One of the many things I love about working with glass is the endless design and fabrication options that are available to us. There are an abundance of exciting new approaches waiting for you to discover when you venture down the less traveled path of experimentation. Let’s go!

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Make a Fused Glass Sink Webinar

April 18, 2023

In this comprehensive Webinar, I’ll guide you step by step through the time-tested processes I use to make large-scale, functional vessels.

You’ll learn safe handling techniques for cutting oversized circles, how to fuse and slump thick pieces to retain consistent bowl height, plus trade-secrets for worry free drilling.

In addition to fabrication know-how, you’ll receive a complete supply list, specifics on kiln requirements, source information for the slumping mold and drill kit, as well as helpful installation tips.

With all the professional tricks revealed, you’ll gain the confidence and knowledge needed to make your own dazzling beauty.

Wait…there’s more!

In addition, I demonstrate how to make a glittering dichroic sink. I’ll also show you how to make a cast glass sink from nipped glass pieces, dichroic bits and frit. Plus, you’ll be guided through the various cold-working steps I use to finish the cast glass sink edge to a glamorous, professional, quality polish.

I hope you’ll join me!

Tell them how you really feel with sassy mugs, Eco-totes and bold T-shirts!

Downloadable instructional videos for every skill level.

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Fusing for the Adventurous – Take Your Artwork to the Next Level

Knowledge – Confidence – Inspiration

What makes artwork stand out?

Have you noticed that some art glass pieces don’t hold your interest? While others draw you in like a fish on a line and hold you captive. You study the shape, admire the colors, marvel over the pattern. You try to figure out how the pieces were made.

I’ve studied the same pieces with the same level of curiosity. It made me wonder, what’s the secret to making exceptional art? After careful consideration, I’ve concluded there are just 2 features that make artwork memorable.

The two features are unique form and dramatic imagery.

Let’s break these down and identify how they impact the visual attraction of artwork.

Unique Form

Shape has a powerful effect on the level of attraction. Giving your work an unusual shape will immediately draw the attention of viewers. The simplest and easiest way to make stand out art is to give geometric shapes an organic profile. Notch the straight edges of a square. And a graceful curve to the straight edges of a rectangle. Scallop a circle to give a floral look.

Then take it a step farther and slump the art over a mold to give it a sculptural flare. Combine different molds together to make shapes all your own. Drape fiber paper or fiber blanket over the molds for more interesting results.

Another easy way to give glass artwork a sculptural presence is to create your own fused glass stand. Artsy bases add lift, they allow light to pass under and around the glass, and they increase the perceived value of the finished artwork.

Dramatic Imagery

Paintings are usually made on plain rectangular canvases. But what makes famous pieces of art memorable? It’s the picture of course. It doesn’t matter if the subject is abstract or pictorial. It’s the way the artist renders the image that makes it exciting and unforgettable.

Next time you design a piece of fused glass consider including a recognizable image in your work. This anchors the viewers eye and engages them longer than a piece without a focal point. Also, rendering the image in unexpected colors or with pattern increases the visual desirability. 

The secret to fine art revealed.

For exceptional art that’ll have people talking, combine both unique form and dramatic imagery. This more involved approach is what sets real artists apart from hobbyists and it’s what elevates their work from craft to fine art.  

Are you ready to take your artwork to the next level?

Learn how easily you can immediately apply these concepts to your work to take it to the next level. Join me for my upcoming, Fusing for the Adventurous Webinar, Thursday March 9, 2023 for more in-depth fusing tips and tricks that’ll get your work noticed.

For live guided instruction on how to apply these ideas join me for my next webinar, Fusing for the Adventurous on Thursday March 9, 2023.

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

For new videos Subscribe to my Premium Video Subscription Membership!

Fusing for the Adventurous Webinar

March 9, 2023

Get ready to push boundaries, challenge old ideas and enjoy the thrill of limitless possibilities. Join glass me in this comprehensive hands-on webinar, and learn how easy it is to use tried and true methods in unlikely, innovative ways!

With 4 major projects and a few bonus pieces, you’ll get more than you bargained for!

Radiant Ribbons combines dichroic glass and patterned rods into three wavy sections that create beautiful wall art, a dazzling focal point for any living space.

Leaves involves cutting and layering glass surrounded by bits of dichro. Depth is produced by having all of the component parts “floating” in frit and edged in solid color to construct a scene reminiscent of a shadow box.

Fun with Rods gives you the opportunity to fabricate a light and airy project with curvy slumped colored rods.

Plus, you’ll have the fun of kiln casting with murrini creating Hearts on Fire.

All of these techniques will produce dramatic results in your art, and take your work to an exciting new level of sophistication. Beginning and advanced fusers alike will find inspiration, motivation, and a renewed sense of artistic freedom by combining the ideas presented in this webinar.

 And of course you’ll be provided with my custom firing guides.

Armed with your newfound skills, you’ll be incorporating these techniques into your work in no time, while expanding your creative visions. You’ll gain the cool confidence to turn your glass visions into reality. Don’t miss this great opportunity to take your work and inspiration to greater heights!

Tell them how you really feel with sassy mugs, Eco-totes and bold T-shirts!

Downloadable instructional videos for every skill level.

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How to Program a Kiln

Knowledge – Confidence – Inspiration

The idea of programing your own kiln can be frightening, intimidating and possibly the reason you haven’t fired up your new baby yet. I’m here to help you move past your crippling fears. Let me guide you to the empowering realm of control where you’ll enjoy the thrills of blissful creativity. It’s a magical place where time stands still for you and dichroic unicorns do exist.   

To start, what type of kiln are you using?

Glass kilns come in many shapes and sizes handmade by skilled manufacturers.

But first you have to understand the foundation of glass fusing programs.

A firing guide is a step-by-step schedule to fire glass of a certain size and thickness to achieve a specific result. Firing guides are carried out in steps called segments. Larger, thicker projects have more conservative firing guides with more segments. The rate per hour indicates how quickly the kiln should change temperature in an hour. Temperature is the target temperature the kiln will be taken to for a specific purpose. The hold time indicates how long the kiln will remain at a certain temperature to achieve the desired results.

Kiln controllers.

Note. Not all kiln controllers work the same. This is intended to simplify the overall theory for you. It’s best to refer to your kiln manufacturer’s owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to operate your kiln.

When programing a kiln you’ll enter several pieces of information in order to write a program. Controllers can hold and retain several programs. Therefore, the first number the kiln will request is the program number. Then it will request the number of segments you want to use. It will then ask for the rate, the temperature increase you want per hour. Next it will request the hold time, how long you want the kiln to stay at that temperature to achieve the desired results.

If you have entered more than one segment you repeat the above steps for every segment in your program.   

The great thing about having a controller is it retains your information to use again in the future. In my studio, I have several kilns of varying sizes. To avoid confusion and mistakes, I hang a list of the programs in each kiln next to the kiln. Then when I fire glass, I can quickly find the appropriate program and access it with confidence.

To help clarify the kiln programing process and steps I’ve included my three most common programs here.

Make no mistake, you’re brave to enter the creative and mysterious world of glass fusing. Therefore, I know you have what it takes to program your own kiln. You got this!

Wherever you are in your journey you’re doing great! Keep learning. Keep sharing. Keep creating beautiful pieces of art.

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

For new videos Subscribe to my Premium Video Subscription Membership!

Fusing for the Adventurous Webinar

March 9, 2023

Get ready to push boundaries, challenge old ideas and enjoy the thrill of limitless possibilities. Join glass me in this comprehensive hands-on webinar, and learn how easy it is to use tried and true methods in unlikely, innovative ways!

With 4 major projects and a few bonus pieces, you’ll get more than you bargained for!

Radiant Ribbons combines dichroic glass and patterned rods into three wavy sections that create beautiful wall art, a dazzling focal point for any living space.

Leaves involves cutting and layering glass surrounded by bits of dichro. Depth is produced by having all of the component parts “floating” in frit and edged in solid color to construct a scene reminiscent of a shadow box.

Fun with Rods gives you the opportunity to fabricate a light and airy project with curvy slumped colored rods.

Plus, you’ll have the fun of kiln casting with murrini creating Hearts on Fire.

All of these techniques will produce dramatic results in your art, and take your work to an exciting new level of sophistication. Beginning and advanced fusers alike will find inspiration, motivation, and a renewed sense of artistic freedom by combining the ideas presented in this webinar.

 And of course you’ll be provided with my custom firing guides.

Armed with your newfound skills, you’ll be incorporating these techniques into your work in no time, while expanding your creative visions. You’ll gain the cool confidence to turn your glass visions into reality. Don’t miss this great opportunity to take your work and inspiration to greater heights!

Tell them how you really feel with sassy mugs, Eco-totes and bold T-shirts!

Downloadable instructional videos for every skill level.

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How to Tack and Slump Small Accent Pieces to Embellish Fused Glass Art

Knowledge – Confidence – Inspiration

Are you ready to add a fun new twist to your fused glass pieces? The simple application of 3-D components can dramatically increase the visual allure of your work. And best of all, this easy technique presents endless possibilities for you to create exciting and flashy new designs.

When making these decorative butterflies I use a single layer of 2mm thick glass. Using thin material produces lightweight delicate looking accent pieces that complement the finished piece of art without overpowering it.

How to make these butterflies.

Download and print the butterfly pattern. Make a second copy of the pattern to cut up. Glue the cut paper pattern pieces on 2mm clear dichroic glass. I used a variety of different dichroic patterns.

The dichroic coating on the glass can go up or face down. I have some butterflies with the coating up and others with the coating down for added interest. I suggest you be consistent and keep the coating orientation the same on each individual butterfly.

Using the pattern as a guide, cut the butterfly wings out of 2mm clear dichroic glass. Cut as close to the pattern as possible to achieve the most accurate shape. Use grozing pliers to remove any excess glass and clean up the edges.

Tip: I try not to grind dichroic glass as it chips the coating around the edge.

Use the pattern as a guide to cut the butterfly bodies out if 2mm dichroic on black glass.

It’s easy to find new uses for these winged beauties once they’re made. I suggest you make more than you plan to use, then great new ideas will definitely come to mind.

Assemble and tack fuse the butterflies.

Lay the butterfly wings out on a primed or fiber paper lined kiln shelf with the wing tips touching. Place the butterfly body on top so it overlaps the wings. Place the individual butterflies about ½ inch apart so they don’t stick to each other. Fire the glass to a tack fuse temperate using the guide provided below.

Tip: Tack Fuse. At this temperature the glass is heated enough to polish the edges and stick together without distorting the shape.

Slump the assembles butterflies.

Carefully center each assembled butterfly in a round 5 inch ceramic slumping mold. You can substitute another mold if needed. Fire the kiln to the slump temperature using the guide provided below.

Tip: Slump. At this temperature the glass is heated enough to conform to the shape of the mold it rests on without shrinking.

Carefully, unload the kiln and enjoy your light and airy butterflies. Glue them on a piece of art with E6000 or other clear adhesive.

Let your imagination run wild, get carried away with fun ways to use these glistening garden friends.  

The story behind the sculpture titled, Flourishing.

A few years ago, I was in my glass studio day and night deep in the creative zone. I was making project after project for new instructional videos. When I’m in a whirl wind of producing I allow myself to wander outside my usual artistic boundaries to explore. On this one occasion my adventures produced a brightly colored, wildly active free flow. The resulting fused glass sheet had energetic movement and quiet chaos. Strangely, the piece spoke to me even though it was made with colors outside my personal color palette. I fell in love with the glass because it was a surprise whose unique radiance felt like home. I imagined the enthusiastic glass represented what my overactive mind would look like if we could take a peek inside.

My first and only self-portrait.

Right away, I knew how to use the glass. I drew a pattern from a photograph of my profile that included my wild hair. It took three wet saws, some grinding, and a lot of patience to cut the intricate outer shape. But I was determined to get it just right.

I then fire polished the cut glass to make the edge uniform and shiny. The custom stand is made from  clear glass with clear glass rods glued to the bottom. The simple stand gives the artwork a lift that allows light to pass through and illuminate the whimsical design. Then I made the butterflies and glued them in place, so they appear to be gracefully floating in space.  

What this artwork means to me.

The vibrant spiraling colors represent the ideas continually flowing through my mind. The butterflies represent the ideas being set free to become new artistic creations.

You can learn how to make your own self portrait in my Sculptural Fused Glass Video.

What’s Free Flow?

Free flow is a technique I developed to make my own sheets of fused glass with custom color mixes.

You can learn how to make your own in my Go with the Flow video.   

For More Firing Guides Check out my FREE Tech Docs

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

For new videos Subscribe to my Premium Video Subscription Membership!

Fusing for the Adventurous Webinar

March 9, 2023

Get ready to push boundaries, challenge old ideas and enjoy the thrill of limitless possibilities. Join glass me in this comprehensive hands-on webinar, and learn how easy it is to use tried and true methods in unlikely, innovative ways!

With 4 major projects and a few bonus pieces, you’ll get more than you bargained for!

Radiant Ribbons combines dichroic glass and patterned rods into three wavy sections that create beautiful wall art, a dazzling focal point for any living space.

Leaves involves cutting and layering glass surrounded by bits of dichro. Depth is produced by having all of the component parts “floating” in frit and edged in solid color to construct a scene reminiscent of a shadow box.

Fun with Rods gives you the opportunity to fabricate a light and airy project with curvy slumped colored rods.

Plus, you’ll have the fun of kiln casting with murrini creating Hearts on Fire.

All of these techniques will produce dramatic results in your art, and take your work to an exciting new level of sophistication. Beginning and advanced fusers alike will find inspiration, motivation, and a renewed sense of artistic freedom by combining the ideas presented in this webinar.

 And of course you’ll be provided with my custom firing guides.

Armed with your newfound skills, you’ll be incorporating these techniques into your work in no time, while expanding your creative visions. You’ll gain the cool confidence to turn your glass visions into reality. Don’t miss this great opportunity to take your work and inspiration to greater heights!

Tell them how you really feel with sassy mugs, Eco-totes and bold T-shirts!

Downloadable instructional videos for every skill level.

Posted on Leave a comment

Knowledge – Confidence – Inspiration

Great glass work is the product of a strong foundation and knowledge base.

Wherever you are in your glass fusing journey, newbie or advanced artisan, I believe we can all benefit from revisiting the basic techniques we use to create exceptional glass art.

Here’s why: 

Excited newbies are usually so eager to cut glass that they don’t really hear the guidelines and they lack the experience to realize the importance of these recommendations on their finished project. While advanced artists are absorbed in the creative process and the end result, to the point that they are blind to the practicality of solid construction. 

Then there are those dare devils who’ve stumbled onto glass fusing and are immediately hooked. They dive right in giving little, if any, consideration to protocol. You know who you are. You fire first and ask later. 

No matter how you came to call yourself a glass artist I have practical resources to help you reach your goals and succeed.

FREE Tech Docs

You will find an abundance of useful information on my website including FREE Tech Docs. Here’s a sample of the resources available to you.

Keep in mind, there’s no single right or wrong way to fuse glass. Personal preference, design style and function, should all play a role in helping you decide how to proceed. The objective is to consciously choose your fabrication method based on a solid understanding of the medium, rather than on a whim. 

There are always exceptions to the rules. The minute I make finite rules for myself, I break them. So, I’ve learned not to box myself in. You shouldn’t either. 

Enjoy the journey. The destination will take care of itself.

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Fusing for the Adventurous Webinar

March 9, 2023

Get ready to push boundaries, challenge old ideas and enjoy the thrill of limitless possibilities. Join glass me in this comprehensive hands-on webinar, and learn how easy it is to use tried and true methods in unlikely, innovative ways!

With 4 major projects and a few bonus pieces, you’ll get more than you bargained for!

Radiant Ribbons combines dichroic glass and patterned rods into three wavy sections that create beautiful wall art, a dazzling focal point for any living space.

Leaves involves cutting and layering glass surrounded by bits of dichro. Depth is produced by having all of the component parts “floating” in frit and edged in solid color to construct a scene reminiscent of a shadow box.

Fun with Rods gives you the opportunity to fabricate a light and airy project with curvy slumped colored rods.

Plus, you’ll have the fun of kiln casting with murrini creating Hearts on Fire.

All of these techniques will produce dramatic results in your art, and take your work to an exciting new level of sophistication. Beginning and advanced fusers alike will find inspiration, motivation, and a renewed sense of artistic freedom by combining the ideas presented in this webinar.

 And of course you’ll be provided with my custom firing guides.

Armed with your newfound skills, you’ll be incorporating these techniques into your work in no time, while expanding your creative visions. You’ll gain the cool confidence to turn your glass visions into reality. Don’t miss this great opportunity to take your work and inspiration to greater heights!

Tell them how you really feel with sassy mugs, Eco-totes and bold T-shirts!

Downloadable instructional videos for every skill level.