Aaahhh, January. It was a month of snowy retreat, fire-gazing, book reading, film watching, and enjoying the smells of simmering soups and stews in the kitchen. A time for varied creative pursuits other than making jewelry!
I did manage to spend a few hours in the studio with some friends creating fused glass collage panels. I'm always trying to figure out how to use whatever medium I'm currently working with to make collage art. I love making fused glass collage panels. They are so versatile. They can be attached to lamps bases, vases, candle holders, and night lights. They can be mounted in a picture frame or hung from a door or a window.
The steps are pretty simple. First, measure and cut out a piece of graph paper to the panel size you would like to create. Create pattern lines on the graph paper to create different sections for the coloured glass. The composition will be stronger if you create lines that are one third or two thirds from the edges of the paper. Choose the colours you would like to use for the panel. Create a panel of clear fusing glass to use as a base.
Using the template to guide you, mark and cut the various colours of fusing glass you have chosen for each section.
Usually, its not necessary to glue the large sections of glass to the base as I can carefully carry it over to the kiln and make any adjustments before I fire. Gluing the small and/or decorative pieces can help in keeping the panel stable while it is being moved to the kiln shelf. Glastac glue is a good choice for adhering pieces as it burns off cleanly in the kiln.
When the all sections of coloured glass have been cut, decorative items such as glass circles, rectangles, stringer (fused glass that you can buy in various colours that resembles spaghetti or fettucine! Uh, no...you can't eat it!) and frit (small chunks of coloured glass) can be added to enhance the design.
Another way to add interest to the panels is to cut shapes out kiln paper or thicker fiber paper and place them under the base glass. The glass will melt around the shapes when in the kiln and leave an impression in the glass. This technique is called kiln-carving. Here I've cut some fibre paper with a spiral punch to create carved spirals in the fused glass.
Other ways to add interest is to make designs using glass powder, stringer
In the framed art piece below, I've used stringer, circles, and black glass powder and made designs by pushing the powder around with a plastic cap to create more interest in the piece.
Here are some finished fused glass panels that I've made that are ready to go onto lamp bases or glass vases.
I tend to be drawn to warm colours like yellows, reds, and browns right now, but I love what my friend created in delicious greens, blues, and purples. Notice the fiber paper spirals she has put underneath her base to kiln carve her glass. Beautiful work, Sharon!
And here are panels made by other students who participated in the last fused glass art panel workshop. I love the way each panel looks so different depending on what colours of glass are chosen.
So now I'm off to the studio to try some more ideas with fused glass collage. I'm thinking really long and narrow...mmm...I'll keep you posted as to what I've created. In the meantime, let me know if you're interested in joining me in the studio to learn how to make a fused glass panel. We'll put on some music, a pot of coffee, watch the fire, and the snow falling outside while we create. A great way to enjoy winter!