Maker Signature Spotlight...
Every now and then I will have a Spotlight post, looking at the techniques I use to make some of my pieces.
I love a Tree of Life image and developed a stylised version using the chemical reactions that take place during the kiln firing to produce a tree outline. In the feature image the distinctive dark grey tree outline is formed at the boundary of the cream glass (known as French Vanilla) and the blue glass (known as Robin's Egg Blue).
The chemical reaction is between copper in the blue glass and selenium in the cream glass.
The making process for each piece is the same.
The base glass is cut to the required size: small (10 cm x 10 cm), medium (15 cm x 15 cm) and large (20 cm x 20 cm).
The top glass is cut and laid out on the base glass in such a way to leave small gaps between each piece forming a tree pattern.
Glass frit of the base glass is then carefully placed onto the 'tree sections' which represent the leaves on the tree.
The dishes are then placed in the kiln and undergo two firings - each taking around 16 hours to complete. (Shh... don't mention the lecky bill!)
The Tree of Life dishes have proved to be a favourite and they can be purchased in Fabrication in both Leeds and York. However, from today you can also purchased the small and medium size dishes direct from the Chilli Glass web store.
Until next week.
CG
I love a Tree of Life image and developed a stylised version using the chemical reactions that take place during the kiln firing to produce a tree outline. In the feature image the distinctive dark grey tree outline is formed at the boundary of the cream glass (known as French Vanilla) and the blue glass (known as Robin's Egg Blue).
The chemical reaction is between copper in the blue glass and selenium in the cream glass.
The making process for each piece is the same.
The base glass is cut to the required size: small (10 cm x 10 cm), medium (15 cm x 15 cm) and large (20 cm x 20 cm).
The top glass is cut and laid out on the base glass in such a way to leave small gaps between each piece forming a tree pattern.
Glass frit of the base glass is then carefully placed onto the 'tree sections' which represent the leaves on the tree.
The dishes are then placed in the kiln and undergo two firings - each taking around 16 hours to complete. (Shh... don't mention the lecky bill!)
- The first firing is a full fuse.
- The second one (which takes place at a lower temperature) is a slump fuse. Here the flat fully fused pieces are carefully place into a ceramic mould inside the kiln.
The Tree of Life dishes have proved to be a favourite and they can be purchased in Fabrication in both Leeds and York. However, from today you can also purchased the small and medium size dishes direct from the Chilli Glass web store.
Until next week.
CG