- vtaverner
NEW!! Classes in Glass Forming Techniques
Introduction to fusing and slumping glass
I am introducing a short course in glass making techniques beginning with how to produce kiln formed glass coasters and plates by fusing and slumping sheet glass.
In these classes students will be provided with materials which are pre-cut. This will enable you to go straight to the design stage without having to first hone your cutting skills. In the first session students will complete the design and layout for two glass coasters. These will be fired in the kiln prior to the following class. This will enable students to see how the glass reacts in the kiln and have a clearer idea of how to proceed in designing for a plate. In a second session students will complete the design and layout for one small and one medium plate. These will be fired and available for collection the following week.
Materials will be provided in these classes. Materials and equipment for glass forming can be costly and there is considerable technical knowledge required for different glass forming techniques. The idea of these classes is to provide an opportunity for students to get a taste of glass forming without the added expense of buying materials. If you get a taste for it I will be able to provide some tips for setting up a glass studio on a budget!
The glass being provided in these classes is Bullseye glass. Bullseye glass is a premium glass forming product produced in the USA. Bullseye Glass Co. produce a large range of colours in sheet glass, billet (blocks for casting), frit (or crushed glass) and stringers (long threads of glass). It is specially formulated so that the entire colour range are compatible to be fused together.
Compatibility of glass is one of the biggest challenges for people forming glass. If you were to fuse two different types of glass in the kiln that were not compatible they would not be stable. Imagine two magnets trying to push apart! The glass might develop cracks immediately upon cooling, it might seem stable initially and develop cracks over a period of time with atmospheric changes or it might explode unexpectedly. Testing different glasses for compatibility across different glass forming methods is a time consuming process so being able to use a product which has been specially formulated is worth it's weight in gold to a glass fuser! To find out more you can have a read of this tip sheet from Bullseye Glass Co, While you're there have a look around at their website, they have lot's of great resources for beginner glass enthusiasts! https://www.bullseyeglass.com/methods-ideas/technotes-3-compatibility-of-glasses.html
If you are interested in signing up to the current course you can find the details on my shop page: https://www.tavernerglass.com/product-page/introduction-to-fusing-and-slumping-glass