I recently met Bob, a fused glass artist, at my screen printing class. Bob is very interested in screen printing designs onto glass using enamel and binder and then fusing the glass. We had quite a few conversations about glass and glass fusing.
Bob has been kind enough to give me a large dish mould in a shape and size that I haven't used before (it measures 30cm X 20cm) so I have tested the mould using float glass. There's no point in designing a piece using expensive glass if I make a mistake with the first fusing.
First I drew a template of the dish and cut two pieces of float glass, grinding them to shape. Next I flat used the two pieces up to 842 degrees c (1547.60 degrees f) and then put it back in the kiln to fire polish the edges.
Finally I slumped the glass piece in the mould so that the glass would slump down into the shape of the dish. I also tested a new soap dish mould in the same firing.
Glassprimitif will be exhibiting at the Makers' Fair as part of the Saltaire Arts Trail in May 2012. Find out more about the Makers' Fair HERE.
