Tag: writer

Reason to Celebrate

It never ceases to amaze me how much fun you can have while you’re hard at work. It’s no surprise I love my job, creating glass and teaching. But more than anything, I like meeting new people. And what better way to really get to know someone, than in an extended workshop where we grow skills while working with a medium we love. 

Over the years I’ve hosted numerous fused glass workshops. It’s the students who make the class extraordinary. Each person has a fascinating story. Many had surprising careers, others found themselves at a crossroad and made the decision to take their life in a different direction. Many were survivors, some of accidents and others of disease. Each story is unique, but they had a shared effect. The story proved to be the catalyst that lead the student to expose themselves to exciting, new things. Often that exciting, new thing is expanding their glass fusing knowledge and skills in one of my classes. You can imagine how rewarding it is for me to guide these students and then share their joy, when they exceed their own expectations.

Now that you know what I get from teaching the class, it’s only fair you hear what the students are saying about taking the workshop.

“Lisa had great ideas on color and design and composition. My favorite thing was the variety of projects. From small to large, from full fuse to tack fuse to slumping. I was surprised I could be successful at adapting an inspiration piece to create a colorful design. I loved being able to use color and frit to make the cast pieces. Fun!” – Pat B.

“Thank you, Lisa, for jump starting my fusing!! My favorite thing about the class was everything. What surprised me was watching Lisa and Joe make videos.” – Monica F.

“Lisa is a deep wealth of knowledge. What surprised me was my ability to pick the project I wanted to create. My favorite thing was the creativeness I was allowed to explore.” – Kathy W.

Watch the Class Highlights Video Here!

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

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Upcoming Class!

Advanced Glass Fusing Class

4-Day, Hands-on Class, Wesley Chapel, FL

May 28-31, 2024, SOLD OUT!

October 22-25, 2024, only 3 Seats Left.

YOU can make gallery quality fused glass art! You’ll love the personalized instruction in this exciting advanced technique, artistic awakening and skill building workshop. This is the turning point experience you’ve been waiting for.

Someday is here! What are you waiting for? You’re in your prime. You’re at the peak of your interest in glass fusing. Take the next step and raise your artwork to an exciting new level of sophistication.

Join me for this intense workshop held in my private studio.
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited.

In this class, you will push the boundaries art glass imposes. Students will explore innovative approaches to design and combine multiple advanced techniques to construct original art that reflects their own personal style. You’ll enjoy: the one-on-one instruction, making multifaceted projects, the well-equipped classroom, and the intimate class size.

You’ll love the concentrated, in-depth study and creative momentum you’ll gain while actively producing, nonstop for four consecutive days. You’ll leave class with a working knowledge of kiln operation, custom project specific firing guides, and the inspiration you’ve been craving to go bigger and do more elaborate works of fused glass art!

Join me and take your glass fusing to the next level!

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Knowledge – Confidence - Inspiration

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I love seeing all the new, creative projects being shared online in our glass groups. You are making amazing, beautiful pieces. It’s apparent from the well thought out compositions and quality construction that our community has grown in skill and talent.

Such wonderful art can be even more impressive with a great picture.

Myth buster: you don’t need expensive photo equipment and fancy lights to get a clean, clear, impressive picture of your art.

Yes, there’s a time, and purpose for high quality professional gallery grade images like those taken in a photo cube. But not every piece of art needs that level of sophistication to show well. You can take nice pictures with simple techniques and a little planning.     

The most important elements of your fine art picture are the lighting and background. It should be plain and enhance the art without distracting the eye.

Here’s how to make your own effective photo set-up.

Prior to making art for galleries, all the pictures of my finished fused glass art were taken with a very simple set up. I’d place a wooden bar-height, bar stool on my work table. I’d place the bar stool in an area filled with strong natural light Then I’d tape a long, 24 inch wide piece of white paper high up on the bar stool legs. The paper would hang down from the legs and drape across the table. The paper made a bright, seamless backdrop that showed off my glass art without unwanted distractions. I still use this fast, easy technique for quick pictures today.    

Another super, simple set-up is to photograph your art on a sheet of white foam board or white poster board. The board has a reflective sheen that enhances the bright glass colors. The smooth surface brings the glass to life. I keep a clean board tucked away behind a door where it won’t get bent or dirty. Then when I need a quick picture, I pull it out and shoot away. It’s also a convenient backdrop if I want to take a picture outside. I carry the board and art into the yard and can pick a variety of filtered light sources for my photo shoot. Note: I avoid using white cotton fabric as a background. The fine woven texture absorbs the glass shine and makes the project look dull and lifeless.

Glass can be particularly difficult to photograph due to the bright colors, transparency, and reflective qualities. But both set-ups have worked well for me. The clean white backgrounds ensure that the real colors and intricate details of my art shine bright and true.

Quick Tips for Great Images

Photograph the art on white paper, foam board or poster board.

Use natural light to illuminate the glasses true colors.

Avoid using florescent lights, they leave a yellow tint on the art glass.

Take multiple pictures from several different angles.

Avoid clutter in the background.

If you include a background, use something that enhances the art. It shouldn’t distract of confuse the viewer.

Crop the image with the camera. Get in tight. Fill the view finder with the art.

Center the art in the picture.

Take the picture at eye level for a true representation of the art.  

Make sure the image of the art is level with the bottom of the photo and not at a distracting angle.

Once you have the shot. Try different creative compositions to see if something unexpected delivers a unique perspective. 

You can take nice pictures with simple techniques and a little planning. You worked hard on your newest project. Don’t stop there. It deserves a great picture to show it off!

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

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Upcoming Class!

Advanced Glass Fusing Class

4-Day, Hands-on Class, Wesley Chapel, FL

May 28-31, 2024

YOU can make gallery quality fused glass art! You’ll love the personalized instruction in this exciting advanced technique, artistic awakening and skill building workshop. This is the turning point experience you’ve been waiting for.

Someday is here! What are you waiting for? You’re in your prime. You’re at the peak of your interest in glass fusing. Take the next step and raise your artwork to an exciting new level of sophistication.

Join me for this intense workshop held in my private studio.
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited.

In this class, you will push the boundaries art glass imposes. Students will explore innovative approaches to design and combine multiple advanced techniques to construct original art that reflects their own personal style. You’ll enjoy: the one-on-one instruction, making multifaceted projects, the well-equipped classroom, and the intimate class size.

You’ll love the concentrated, in-depth study and creative momentum you’ll gain while actively producing, nonstop for four consecutive days. You’ll leave class with a working knowledge of kiln operation, custom project specific firing guides, and the inspiration you’ve been craving to go bigger and do more elaborate works of fused glass art!

Join me and take your glass fusing to the next level!

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Knowledge – Confidence - Inspiration

Premium Video Courses by Lisa

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Great glass work is the product of a strong foundation and knowledge base. Let’s review common terms and make sure you’re equipped to produce consistent, high quality artwork.

C.O.E. – Coefficient of Expansion

C.O.E. – Coefficient of Expansion: This refers to the rate at which a specific family of fusing compatible materials expands and contracts when heated and cooled. Glasses must be of the same C.O.E. to be fusing “compatible”. Several manufacturers make fusing compatible glass, and each manufacturer has their own recommended temperatures to achieve specific results.

Compatible / Tested Compatible

Compatible: See also COE. Because glass expands and contracts when heated and cooled, glasses that are fused together must be “compatible” with each other. All of the glass used in a single project must be compatible to ensure a successful outcome. The glass must expand and contract at similar rates. If they are not compatible, stress-cracks or breakage will result.

Anneal

Anneal – Oceanside 96 COE- 950°F (510°C) 90 COE 900°F (482°C): Super heating glass, like we do in a kiln, creates stress in the glass. We alleviate the stress, anneal the glass, by holding it a specific temperature for a designated amount of time. How long is determined by the size and thickness of the project. The larger the project the longer the hold time.

Controller

Controller: This is an electronic device that automatically cycles the kiln through a pre-programmed series of segments of temperatures and times. They’re included on most medium sized and large glass fusing kilns.

Pyrometer

Pyrometer: A probe placed inside the kiln that measures the internal temperature of the kiln and shows the temperature on an external display.

Thermocouple

Thermocouple: A probe inside the kiln firing chamber that relays the temperature inside the kiln to the kiln controller.

Firing Guide

Firing Guide: This is a step-by-step schedule to fire glass of a certain size and thickness to achieve a specific result. 

Firing Cycle

Firing Cycle: The specific set of times and temperatures a given project will experience during heating, annealing, and cooling in a kiln.

Segments

Segments: Firing guides are carried out in steps called segments. Larger, thicker projects usually have more conservative firing guides and therefore a greater number of segments. 

Hold / Soak

Hold / Soak: At certain times during the firing process we hold, also sometimes called soak, the glass at a specific temperature for a designated amount of time to get the desired results. 

Devitrification – Devit

Devitrification – Devit: The forming of crystals on the surface of previously shinny glass surface as a result of firing. The result is a distracting, inconsistent, blotchy or matte surface finish. Can also occur as a result of unsuccessful annealing or accidental heating to a high temperature. Can be caused by firing glass with fingerprints or other contaminants like cutter oil or glue present on the glass surface. Devit is more common when using 90 COE than 96 COE glass. How to prevent devit? Before firing clean the glass thoroughly, use a preventive spray available at your art glass supplier and consult the glass manufacturer’s firing guides. 

Thermal Shock

Thermal Shock: Glass breakage do to rapid temperature change. Glass is sensitive to temperature change between room temperature and 1000°F (538°C) during the heating and cooling phase of the firing. To prevent thermal shock, we heat the glass slowly from room temperature to 1000°F (538°C). Once the glass and kiln are above 1000°F (538°C) the glass can be heated as fast as possible to the target temperature. When the desired result is achieved, the glass can be cooled as fast as possible down to 1000°F (538°C). At that point the glass is fragile and should be cooled slowly down to room temperature. How slow depends on the size and thickness of the project. Larger and thicker projects are fired slower than small projects. For example, a 4-inch square tile can be fired faster than a 12-inch square bowl.  

Wherever you are in your artistic journey, you’re doing a great job!

Excerpt from the resource guide: Glass Fusing Terms by Lisa Vogt

Find the full Glass Fusing Terms Guide here.

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

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Upcoming Class!

NEW Advanced Glass Fusing Class

4-Day, Hands-on Class, Wesley Chapel, FL

May 28-31, 2024

YOU can make gallery quality fused glass art! You’ll love the personalized instruction in this exciting advanced technique, artistic awakening and skill building workshop. This is the turning point experience you’ve been waiting for.

Someday is here! What are you waiting for? You’re in your prime. You’re at the peak of your interest in glass fusing. Take the next step and raise your artwork to an exciting new level of sophistication.

Join me for this intense workshop held in my private studio.
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited.

In this class, you will push the boundaries art glass imposes. Students will explore innovative approaches to design and combine multiple advanced techniques to construct original art that reflects their own personal style. You’ll enjoy: the one-on-one instruction, making multifaceted projects, the well-equipped classroom, and the intimate class size.

You’ll love the concentrated, in-depth study and creative momentum you’ll gain while actively producing, nonstop for four consecutive days. You’ll leave class with a working knowledge of kiln operation, custom project specific firing guides, and the inspiration you’ve been craving to go bigger and do more elaborate works of fused glass art!

Join me and take your glass fusing to the next level!

---

Knowledge – Confidence - Inspiration

Premium Video Courses by Lisa

---

Succulents as seen in Simple Pleasures Glass Fusing with Lisa Vogt video.

When I step into my studio, I know the subject or focal point of the fused glass project I intend to make. I may plan to build a piece with a sailboat or something with a geometric pattern. It’s that basic plan that fuels my artistic actions. Making the subject is easy. But I don’t stop there.

Consider the background space.

The background is equally, and possibly more important than the subject. How the background is handled can dramatically improve the power and appeal of a work of art. A good background enhances the focal point. It reinforces the subject with images or shapes that establish setting or create a mood that further support the artist’s specific visual goals.

Evolution of a design background.

Let’s examine a few fused glass designs together. I’ll show you how the addition of simple, complementary elements can sway the design direction. And how the choices you make can produce unique, exciting designs.

I start my design process with the specific subject I want to create. In this case I wanted to make succulent flowers. Notice how simple the succulent flower pattern is without a background design in place.

I could have used plain blue and green glass for the background to suggest an outdoor location. That would have worked fine. But, with a little more thought, creativity, and time I created a background that entirely changed my subject for the better. I used hand-made stencils along with powder frit to add a garden setting to my flowers. It worked. The subtle leafy pattern and hint of blue sky dramatically increase the charm and beauty of my finished bowl.

     

Succulents as seen in Simple Pleasures Glass Fusing with Lisa Vogt video.

For my next design my focal point was bees. It’s such a simple yet bold subject that I could have easily executed it beautifully with a plain background. But plain isn’t my style. I could have placed them in any number of settings. I thought about sitting them on top of flowers, or on the side of a beehive hanging from a tree limb. But at the time, the rich golden colors and angular geometry of a honeycomb appealed to me more.

Look at the bee pattern alone. Then look at it again in the completed piece. You must admit the addition of the honeycomb background seriously increased the bees artistic influence on the finished piece of art.       

Buzzing Bees as seen in Simple Pleasures Glass Fusing with Lisa Vogt video.

Another simple design I favor is a wine glass. It’s graceful shape and promise of relaxing with good company make it dear to my heart. The problem is the basic design lacks personality. Its screaming for a creative treatment that takes us away to a picturesque retreat. This pattern is great for imagining different background settings and how they would change the art’s mood. For example, picture a background with a fireplace and open book. Or how about a loaded cheese board with fruit or a sunny beach with palm trees. Better yet, make a dimly lit cave with a witch’s caldron and spider webs in the background. Each of these design ideas are easy to make. So, there’s no excuse not to try it for yourself. And there’s no doubt that the life they would breath into the original design would make it better.     

Wine Glass as seen in Simple Pleasures Glass Fusing with Lisa Vogt video.

These examples illustrate the incredible impact the background has on your fused glass design. I hope I’ve given insight into my design process and simple ideas you can use to liven up your own artwork.

Knowing what you want to make is exciting. But don’t let your imagination stop with the focal point. Do more. Customize the background to transform ordinary patterns into something special that reflects your unique and flourishing artistic style.

Excerpt and designs from my Simple Pleasures video. 

NEW Advanced Glass Fusing Class

4-Day, Hands-on Class, Wesley Chapel, FL

May 28-31, 2024

YOU can make gallery quality fused glass art! You’ll love the personalized instruction in this exciting advanced technique, artistic awakening and skill building workshop. This is the turning point experience you’ve been waiting for.

Someday is here! What are you waiting for? You’re in your prime. You’re at the peak of your interest in glass fusing. Take the next step and raise your artwork to an exciting new level of sophistication.

Join me for this intense workshop held in my private studio.
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited.

In this class, you will push the boundaries art glass imposes. Students will explore innovative approaches to design and combine multiple advanced techniques to construct original art that reflects their own personal style. You’ll enjoy: the one-on-one instruction, making multifaceted projects, the well-equipped classroom, and the intimate class size.

You’ll love the concentrated, in-depth study and creative momentum you’ll gain while actively producing, nonstop for four consecutive days. You’ll leave class with a working knowledge of kiln operation, custom project specific firing guides, and the inspiration you’ve been craving to go bigger and do more elaborate works of fused glass art!

Join me and take your glass fusing to the next level!

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Instagram

Knowledge – Confidence - Inspiration

Premium Video Courses by Lisa

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Glass fusing is the process of stacking compatible glass to make a pattern or design. The stacked glass is then heated in a kiln until it melts together.

Because glass expands and contracts when heated and cooled, glass we fuse together must be compatible with each other. If they aren’t, stress cracks or breakage will result. We use glass that has been specially formulated and tested to be compatible.

Several manufacturers make fusing compatible glass, and each manufacturer has their own recommended temperatures to achieve specific results. We work with two primary families of fusible glass 96 COE and 90 COE. COE, (Coefficient of Expansion) refers to the rate at which a specific family of glass expands when heated and contracts as it cools. The expectation is that glass with the same COE is compatible with each other. It is believed it will expand and contract at the same rate during firing. For a fusing project to be enduring, all the glass used in a single project must have the same COE. Using the same COE will produce the most reliable and durable results. If incompatible glass is used together in a single project the glass will break due to internal stress, immediately or in time.

The firing process occurs in two basic stages: heating and cooling. During heating we take the kiln and glass project inside from room temperature to a target temperature of 1100°F – 1600°F (593°C – 871°C)depending on the type of fused “look” we want. At about 1365°F – 1385°F (742°C – 752°C) the glass will stick together. We call that tack fuse. At 1400F – 1425F (760C – 774C) the glass layers are fused, and the edges are soft and rounded. We call that a contour fuse. At 1465°F – 1480°F (796°C – 804°C), the different glass layers completely melt into one smooth piece. We call that full fuse.

Common Temperatures for Glass Fusing

Full Fuse 96 COE 1465°F (796°C), 90 COE 1480°F (804°C): At this temperature the glass pieces are melted together to form one smooth piece with visible, but not textural seams.

Contour Fuse 96 COE 1425°F (774°C), 90 COE 1400°F (760°C): At this temperature the glass layers are fused, and the edges are soft and rounded.

Tack Fuse 96 COE 1365°F (742°C), 90 COE 1385°F (752°C): Here the glass pieces will stick together. The edges of the glass will be square, shiny, and no longer sharp.

Slump 96 COE 1265F (685C), 90 COE 1265°F (685°C): At this temperature the glass will sag into and conform to the shape of a mold.

Once we have achieved the look we want, we begin the cooling stages.

Glass is sensitive to temperature change between room temperature and 1000°F (538°C). If we heat or cool the glass too quickly in this range breakage will result. We bring the glass down from the target temperature to 1000°F (538°C) quickly. Then we slowly bring the temperature down to room temperature. On the way down annealing takes place at 950°F (510°C) for 96 COE, 900°F (485°C) for 90 COE glass.

At this temperature we relieve the internal stress in the super-heated glass by holding it at the anneal temperature for a period of time. This allows all the glass in the project to equalize. How long this hold takes depends on the size and thickness of the project. The bigger the project and the thicker the glass the longer the hold. Proper annealing is crucial to the success of the project. Without adequate annealing the glass will break, in the kiln or later.

Anneal Temperatures Vary by Manufacturer

Each family of fusing material has its own temperature range and recommended hold time. Consult the manufactures published guides for specifics.

Once annealing is complete, we patiently allow the kiln and the project inside to slowly returned to room temperature.

Whether heating or cooling, it’s important to allow plenty of time for the glass to change temperature otherwise thermal shock, breakage caused by rapid temperature change, can occur.

If in doubt, fire slower.

Safety First: It’s important to note that the materials like glass and supplies like shelf paper that we put inside the kiln are special high-refractory materials designed to withstand excessive heat and are purchased at your art glass supplier specifically for kiln work.

Pro Tips:

• Kilns fire differently, test fire your kiln and adjust the firing temperatures as needed.
• Take notes and before and after pictures so you can repeat your successes and learn from mistakes.
• Let large projects rest undisturbed overnight before opening the kiln.

For more information visit my website here.

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

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Knowledge – Confidence - Inspiration

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