BarbaraMuthGlass.com
Title
Index - Barbara Muth Glass
Description
At left is a detail of geode glass from a work in progress. I work with sheet glass, colored powdered glass and chunks of glass (frit) to create visual texture in glass. While most of the colors I use are are the standard colors created by the glass manufacturer, I also mix my own glass colors. That would be the biochemist/engineer genes in action -- my background in the sciences is why I love to run experiments and keep endless notes.
The sheet glass, powders and frit are laid out on a kiln shelf in varied combinations for the different textures I work with. They are then slowly taken up to a temperature around 1450 degrees Fahrenheit, and magic happens. All of the chunks and powders and sheets melt together. The glass is then brought to an annealing temperature and held there to eliminate stress in the glass and then slowly cooled to room temperature. From the time the shelf is placed in the kiln until the time I remove it at least 12 hours have passed. Typically one of these textural pieces is fired three to four times at this temperature.
At this point I spend time with the glass, contemplating the textures I have achieved, envisioning how I will use the glass. Then I get to haul out the power tools. I slice the glass up with a tile saw, grind the edges to the shape I want, smooth the edges with a wet belt sander or by hand with diamond encrusted sanding pads, and put it back in the kiln. Next I may decide to fire on surface embellishments that will remain raised. Then the last firing may take place over specially shaped molds that allow me to shape the glass and give it extra dimension.
Languages
English
