Fused Glass Demo
TLDRIn this informative video, Suzanne Balestri, a skilled glass artist, offers an insightful tutorial on glass cutting and the art of kiln-formed glass. She introduces essential tools, explains the importance of using fusible glass with a consistent Coefficient of Expansion (COE), and demonstrates various techniques for cutting glass. Suzanne also discusses the 'six millimeter rule' in glass fusing and the use of dams to maintain shape. The tutorial includes a practical demonstration of cutting glass and hints at upcoming fusing kits for enthusiasts to create coasters, decorative tiles, and other glass art pieces at home.
Takeaways
- π¨ Suzanne Balestri is a kiln-formed glass artist who demonstrates various techniques for working with glass.
- βοΈ Glass cutting involves using tools like pliers, breakers, a glass cutter, and running pliers to score and break the glass cleanly.
- 𧩠When fusing glass, it's crucial to use fusible glass with a consistent coefficient of expansion (COE) to prevent stress and breakage.
- π’ The most common COEs for glass fusing are 96 and 90, and they should not be mixed due to the risk of incompatible expansion rates.
- π Glass comes in various forms including sheets, frit (crushed glass), stringers, noodles, and powder, each serving different purposes in glass art.
- π· Safety is important when working with powdered glass; wearing a mask is recommended to prevent inhalation of fine particles.
- π The 'six millimeter rule' in glass fusing indicates that glass tends to spread out to achieve a thickness of about 6mm, regardless of the initial volume.
- π οΈ To maintain the shape of layered glass pieces, 'dams' or kiln bricks can be used to contain the glass and prevent it from spreading out during the fusing process.
- π₯ The fusing process involves heating the glass to specific temperatures and holding it for set durations to allow stress release and achieve a flat, fused piece.
- πΊ After the initial fusing, glass can be shaped using molds, with the process known as slumping, which softens the glass so it takes the shape of the mold.
- π Suzanne plans to offer fusing kits for people to create glass art at home, with instructions provided for assembly and shipping the pieces back for firing in her studio kilns.
Q & A
What is the name of the glass artist featured in the video?
-The glass artist's name is Suzanne Balestri.
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is demonstrating how to cut glass and discussing the different qualities of glass used in fusing or kiln-forming.
What are some of the tools used for cutting glass as mentioned in the video?
-Some of the tools used for cutting glass include pliers or breakers, a glass cutter with a cutting wheel, running pliers, and mosaic cutters.
What is the importance of using fusible glass in glass fusing?
-Fusible glass is important because it has the same coefficient of expansion (COE), allowing it to expand and contract at the same rate during the heating and cooling process without causing stress or breaking.
What does COE stand for in the context of glass?
-COE stands for Coefficient of Expansion, which is a measure of how much a material expands or contracts with temperature changes.
What are the common COEs for glass used in fusing?
-The most common COEs for glass used in fusing are 96 and 90, but they should not be mixed.
What are some different forms that glass can come in for fusing projects?
-Glass can come in forms such as sheets, frit (crushed or ground glass), stringers, noodles, and powder.
Why is it recommended to wear a mask when working with powdered glass?
-It is recommended to wear a mask when working with powdered glass to prevent inhaling the particulate matter, which can be harmful to the lungs.
What is the 'six millimeter rule' in glass fusing?
-The 'six millimeter rule' refers to the tendency of glass to strive to be six millimeters thick during the fusing process, which is important for maintaining the shape and integrity of the glass design.
What is the purpose of using dams in glass fusing?
-Dams are used to contain the glass and prevent it from spreading out beyond its original footprint during the fusing process, ensuring that the glass maintains its desired shape and thickness.
What is the process of slumping in glass fusing?
-Slumping is the process of heating the glass to a slumping fuse temperature, which is cooler than a full fuse, allowing the glass to soften and take the shape of a mold, giving it a specific form or shape.
What kind of kits will Suzanne be putting together for glass fusing projects?
-Suzanne will be putting together kits for creating items such as coasters, tiles, mini trays, dishes for tea bags or jewelry, decorative wall tiles, and a key holder.
How will the glass fusing kits be provided to participants?
-The glass fusing kits can either be shipped to participants or picked up at the school, along with a video providing instructions on assembling the pieces and adhering them to the glass for firing.
Outlines
π¨ Introduction to Glass Cutting and Fusing
Suzanne Balestri introduces herself as a kiln-formed glass artist and provides an overview of glass cutting techniques and qualities of glass important for fusing or kiln-forming. She demonstrates the use of tools such as pliers, glass breakers, a glass cutter, and mosaic cutters. Suzanne emphasizes the importance of using fusible glass with the same coefficient of expansion (COE) to avoid stress and potential breakage. She mentions the common COEs, 96 and 90, and introduces different forms of glass, including sheets, frit, stringers, noodles, and powder, while noting safety precautions when working with powdered glass.
π Demonstration of Cutting Glass
The script describes a step-by-step demonstration of cutting a piece of glass using a glass cutter and a Morton board with a waffle grid system. Suzanne explains how to score the glass by creating a straight line and then breaking it cleanly using running pliers. She also discusses the use of mosaic cutters for creating small, irregular pieces of glass. Additionally, Suzanne introduces the 'six millimeter rule' in glass fusing, which states that glass naturally strives to be six millimeters thick, affecting how layered glass behaves during the fusing process.
π‘ Understanding the Six Millimeter Rule in Glass Fusing
Suzanne elaborates on the 'six millimeter rule,' explaining how glass behaves when heated in a kiln, spreading out to achieve a thickness of about a quarter of an inch unless contained by dams. She illustrates the concept with examples of how single layers of glass contract to achieve the desired thickness, leading to a 'dog boning' effect, while multiple layers maintain a flatter surface. The demonstration includes the use of kiln bricks as dams to contain the glass during the fusing process.
π₯ Post-Fusing Process and Slumping Glass
After discussing the fusing process and the importance of temperature control for different thicknesses of glass, Suzanne describes the process of slumping glass into a mold after the initial firing. She explains that the glass is cut to fit the mold and fired at a slumping temperature, which is cooler than a full fuse, allowing the glass to soften and take the shape of the mold. The script concludes with Suzanne's plans to offer fusing kits for creating items like coasters, tiles, and decorative wall pieces, which can be shipped or picked up and include instructions for assembly and firing in her home studio.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Fused Glass
π‘Kiln-Forming
π‘Glass Cutter
π‘Coefficient of Expansion (COE)
π‘Mosaic Cutters
π‘Glass Frit
π‘Stringers and Noodles
π‘Six Millimeter Rule
π‘Dams
π‘Slumping
π‘Frit
Highlights
Introduction to Suzanne Balestri, a kiln-formed glass artist.
Demonstration on how to cut glass and the tools used in the process.
Importance of using fusible glass with the same Coefficient of Expansion (COE) for kiln forming.
Different forms of glass available for fusing, including sheets, frit, stringers, noodles, and powder.
Explanation of the 'six millimeter rule' in glass fusing.
Technique for cutting glass using a glass cutter and a Morton board.
Use of running pliers to break glass along the score line.
Mosaic cutters for creating random-sized pieces of glass.
The effect of glass thickness on its behavior during the fusing process.
Use of dams to contain glass and prevent the 'dog boning' effect.
Process of fusing glass in a kiln to release stress and achieve a flat piece.
Technique of slumping glass over a mold to give it shape.
Preparation for fusing kits to be shipped or picked up for DIY projects.
Examples of fused glass projects, such as coasters, tiles, and decorative items.
Instructions for assembling glass pieces and ensuring adhesion before firing.
Suzanne's offer to fireε¦εs' assembled pieces in her home studio kilns.
Anticipation of future in-person instruction in fused glass projects.
Transcripts
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