Materials and Techniques

Ever  wonder what I mean when I write a description using “dichro” or “fused” glass. This section provides some information about the materials and techniques I use. It’s not meant to be definative or complete, but rather a place to give you some context.

Dichroic (Dichro) glass

Dichroic glass is a type of glass that displays two different colors depending on the angle of view and the angle of illumination. This optical phenomenon occurs due to multiple layers of thin metal oxide film deposited on the glass, which creates a selective reflection and transmission of light. When viewed from different angles, the glass can appear to change color. This is a result of interference effects from the layered surface.

Although I love the effects dichro brings to my artwork, working with this material is expensive and somewhat difficult to cut, which is way you don’t see a lot of artists using it. Using it adds to the material cost factor but its light changing attributes make it worth the extra cost (in my humble opinion).

Stained Glass

Colored glass (commonly referred to as “Stained” glass) has been around for centuries. Most people can relate to the idea of fancy church windows. The color is part of the glass – not painted on – created by mixing natural elements with the molten silica; for example, cobalt oxide creates blue, gold creates pink, copper oxide creates green or turquoise, etc.

I buy this glass in large sheets (20” x 34” or there abouts) which is delivered in wooden crates. Once I get it in my studio (aka “the warehouse”) I can cut it into smaller pieces depending on the project I’m working on. 

Fused Glass

Fusing glass (i.e. melting two or more pieces of glass together) is as much science as it is art. Glass kilns used for this technique need to be programmed to achieve the desired outcome. That means understanding how the glass reacts at each ramp in the program. Heating glass too quickly causes it to shatter. Cooling glass too quickly causes it to shatter. Using incompatible glass causes it, yep… to shatter. Understanding all the shattering that could happen, I take care and run tests to ensure I get the result I want. 

Some programs take only a few hours others can take DAYS. It all depends on the number of layers of glass, the final effect I want, and the type (COE) of glass used. Do I wanted it melted together? Or just tacked so there is a lot of texture? Do I want to melt it just enough to shape it into a bowl? Every answer leads me to a different set of programmed heating and cooling stages.

It’s important to point out here that glass comes in different COE (coefficient of expansion). Understanding the particular COE is critical when fusing two or more pieces of glass together. All fusible glass manufacturers test their glass for COE. In my studio I keep each glass COE separate from each other and clearly labeled to avoid disasters. Even scrap is kept separate!

Murrini/Murrine

However you want to spell it, this stuff is wonderfully fun to use. Highly skilled artisans (not me!) make this by carefully layering glass into a vessel (think clay flower pot) that is placed in a kiln mounted near the ceiling (yep!) with a hole in the bottom. As the glass melts, it is pulled through the bottom hole by a brave sole using pliers-like tools. At particular lengths, the pull (“came”) is cut and laid aside as another pull is made. These “cames” are put into a kiln to anneal then either sold as length of came or cut into small chunks. 

Murrini can be delicate flowers measuring smaller than a dime, or leaves, or animals, or anything you can imagine. Some murrini is made in the kiln by carefully layers strips of glass much like a fancy candy maker, then firing it into a single piece (“came”). However it’s made, it’s a delightful addition to my fused and mosaic pieces. I love incorporating tiny birds and flowers into fused glass hearts for example.

Mosaics 

Adding materials to a base (“substrate”) is wonderfully addictive. I have mosaiced my floors, sides of cabinets, transoms, balls, large panels that hang on my fence, etc. On my website you’ll see candle holders that are mosaiced using Dichroic glass and beautiful artwork that incorporates porcelain cups I’ve cut in half. This ancient technique can be applied to just about anything and I find it relaxing while others find it stressful and messy. 

Materials are not limited by anything! I primarily use glass and some ceramics but have been known to use old car keys, copper wire, beads, and mirror. I’ve learned to use the proper adhesive (yes, there are many to choose from and they all act differently), for the material, and not be afraid to use black grout! Grout colors are varied and fun to try new color combinations. Look for some pieces of mine using gold grout (gold!).

I created a series of kits that can help anyone dip their toe into the world of mosaics. You don’t need a lot of tools or a 20 pound bag of grout to see if you like mosaics – Just get one of my kits and you’ll have everything you need to test drive this addictive artform.