Fused Glass
Fused glass is a term used to describe glass that has been fired (heat-processed) in a kiln at a range of high temperatures from 593 °C (1,099 °F) to 816 °C (1,501 °F). There are 3 main distinctions for temperature application and the resulting effect on the glass. Firing in the lower ranges of these temperatures 593–677 °C (1,099–1,251 °F) is called slumping.Firing in the middle ranges of these temperatures 677–732 °C (1,251–1,350 °F) is considered "tack fusing". Firing the glass at the higher spectrum of this range 732–816 °C (1,350–1,501 °F) is a "full fuse". All of these techniques can be applied to one glass work in separate firings to add depth, relief and shape.
Most contemporary fusing methods involve stacking, or layering thin sheets of glass, often using different colors to create patterns or simple images. The stack is then placed inside the kiln (which is almost always electric, but can be heated by gas or wood) and then heated through a series of ramps (rapid heating cycles) and soaks (holding the temperature at a specific point) until the separate pieces begin to bond together. The longer the kiln is held at the maximum temperature the more thoroughly the stack will fuse, eventually softening and rounding the edges of the original shape. Once the desired effect has been achieved at the maximum desired temperature, the kiln temperature will be brought down quickly through the temperature range of 815 °C (1,499 °F) to 573 °C (1,063 °F) in order to avoid devitrification. It is then allowed to cool slowly over a specified time, soaking at specified temperature ranges which are essential to the annealing process. This prevents uneven cooling and breakage and produces a strong finished product.
click for larger image Galadriel's "Old" Mirror24" x 24" approx.
click for larger image About Galadriel's "Old" Mirror
This large bowl is both fused and slumped making it a 2-step process of going into the kiln twice. One the second firing, a crack had formed and melted into an opening. I guess you can no longer use this as a "vessel containing liquid" however the charm and beauty of the bowl outweighs this hole, and also doesn't even make the piece structurally weak.So, the bowl took one for the team and was then renamed from Galadriel's Mirror to Galadriel's "Old" Mirror.
This large bowl is both fused and slumped making it a 2-step process of going into the kiln twice. One the second firing, a crack had formed and melted into an opening. I guess you can no longer use this as a "vessel containing liquid" however the charm and beauty of the bowl outweighs this hole, and also doesn't even make the piece structurally weak.So, the bowl took one for the team and was then renamed from Galadriel's Mirror to Galadriel's "Old" Mirror.
click for larger image Fused Iridescent Tree 12" x 12"
click for larger image About Fused Iridescent Tree
It's a custom design leaded with a fused centerpiece. The glass used is Spectrum Waterglass, and wispy blue and green glass. The four corners are accented with an iridescent glass. The iridescent tree was drawn free-hand onto the rubber resist by V. Fraser and sandblasted by G. Hill. The fused center is the same technique as the Tree of Life.
It's a custom design leaded with a fused centerpiece. The glass used is Spectrum Waterglass, and wispy blue and green glass. The four corners are accented with an iridescent glass. The iridescent tree was drawn free-hand onto the rubber resist by V. Fraser and sandblasted by G. Hill. The fused center is the same technique as the Tree of Life.
click for larger image Tree of Life26" x 26"
Lightsource from the front.
click for larger image Zoomed in on the iridized tree.
About The Tree of Life
It was a labor of love by the artist. Gordon makes his own flashed glass by fusing compatible glass together in a kiln. In this case, he fused a multicolored iridescent on to a clear base.
After handcutting the vinyl resist, he sandblasts the image out of the iridescent right down to the clear. The clear becomes frosted while the iridescent that was protected under the vinyl resist remains lustrous.
Below are photo's of the Tree of Life where the light source comes from behind, and details of the fused glass.
It was a labor of love by the artist. Gordon makes his own flashed glass by fusing compatible glass together in a kiln. In this case, he fused a multicolored iridescent on to a clear base.
After handcutting the vinyl resist, he sandblasts the image out of the iridescent right down to the clear. The clear becomes frosted while the iridescent that was protected under the vinyl resist remains lustrous.
Below are photo's of the Tree of Life where the light source comes from behind, and details of the fused glass.
click for larger image Lightsource from behind.
click for larger image Zoomed in on the top left corner showing detail of the crushed glass that has been fused on.
click for larger image Zoomed in on the top right corner, including some of the border.
click for larger imageEbony Mandala26" x 26"
click for larger imageZooming in on an angle.
About Ebony Mandala
Individual glass pieces were hand cut, etched and fused to create a very mystical, attractive design.
This piece is charming, moody, and brilliantly reflective as you can see the photographer's pink top in the photograph.
It would look just as great in a business office, as it would a bedroom or upscale bar.
Individual glass pieces were hand cut, etched and fused to create a very mystical, attractive design.
This piece is charming, moody, and brilliantly reflective as you can see the photographer's pink top in the photograph.
It would look just as great in a business office, as it would a bedroom or upscale bar.
click for larger image Cobalt Mandala26" x 26"
click for larger image Zoomed in on the bottom right layered fused glass.
About Cobalt Mandala
Custom colors are available as you can see this is the same design as above only in a rich cobalt blue glass. This piece is has wonderful it's clarity, you can see the clouds through the glass and it also seems to clear the mind as well when looking at it.
The artist had taken a great deal of time and effort to produce this circular pattern. You can't help but feel it's mystic healing qualities as well.
Custom colors are available as you can see this is the same design as above only in a rich cobalt blue glass. This piece is has wonderful it's clarity, you can see the clouds through the glass and it also seems to clear the mind as well when looking at it.
The artist had taken a great deal of time and effort to produce this circular pattern. You can't help but feel it's mystic healing qualities as well.
click for larger image Blue Lily 26" x 26"
click for larger image Zoomed in on the fused blue lily.
About Blue Lily
Leaded with glue-chip diamond quarry's, and a lovely fused centerpiece depicting a blue lily. The antique amber glass has an angelic iridescence if the light hits it at the right angle.
Leaded with glue-chip diamond quarry's, and a lovely fused centerpiece depicting a blue lily. The antique amber glass has an angelic iridescence if the light hits it at the right angle.
click for larger image Phlox 24" x 24"
click for larger image Zoomed in on the flowers and bubble.
About Phlox
This window is leaded with crystal clear bevels, and a fused glass centerpiece. The petals and leaves of the flowers sparkle like jewels in the sunlight. The bubble looks alot like a heart shape.
This window is leaded with crystal clear bevels, and a fused glass centerpiece. The petals and leaves of the flowers sparkle like jewels in the sunlight. The bubble looks alot like a heart shape.
click for larger image Fused Coffee Tablenicknamed "cookie"
click for larger image Zoomed in on the fused table top.
click for larger image Zoomed in on the fused table top.
click for larger image Fused Daisy This daisy is one of the projects in Gord's glass fusing workshop. The student was Vanessa Fraser.
click for larger image Different angle to show the iridized glass.
click for larger image Fused Plate Clear iridescent pinks, blues, yellows, and opaque onyx black shapes.
click for larger image Eye Candy 10" x 10"
The artist named this piece "eye candy" for it's obvious eye-shaped centerpiece made of antique mirror, and all the multicolored crushed and fused glass, mimicking candy surrounding the eye. It's also a very lovely piece to look at, playful and sweet.
click for larger image Zoomed in to show the various crushed candy-like glass fused around the center eye-shaped mirror.
click for larger image Sometimes Dreams Melt,
But They Never Disappear...and sometimes glass melts too! This moon faerie centerpiece was saved from the scrap bin by a little creative thinking. It is UV adhered to a thick clear plate that was deeply sandblasted with a positive message, and the combination made a one-of-a-kind cherished gift that was sold almost immediatley.