31 T – “Fusing with Irids”
Thursday, Oct. 2nd
32 F – “Fusing with Irids”
Friday, Oct. 3rd
Iridescent glass can add at lot of pizzazz to your glass art for a fraction of the cost of dichroic glass. This revealing class looks at some the creative possibilities you can explore using iridized glass and how to control the many looks that can be achieved by firing irids in the kiln. You will learn all about irid fracturing, crinkling, edge curling, texturing, removing, bottom finishing and bubble control; as well as an understanding of how the reflective qualities of irids affect heat transfer and fuse cycles. Discussions will cover the different types of irid coatings, how they are applied, their durability, food contact issues and the pros and cons of applying irid coatings in your kiln. The class projects will give you first hand examples of the versatility of this spectacular glass coating.
Jim Gregory
Over 25 years ago, Jim got "hooked on" Stained Glass. Like many of us glass enthusiasts, Jim spent time assembling leaded windows in a variety basements and garages. Always looking for a good deal on glass, Jim soon found himself working at Spectrum Glass Company. His passion moved from making beautiful windows to making beautiful glass. One day back home in the garage, Jim fired some glass in an old kiln he had purchased years before and from that point on his soldering iron has been accumulating rust and fusing fills his spare time. The fusing experience at home became invaluable as he helped Spectrum Glass formulate a compatible, devit resistant glass designed for kiln work. Jim currently continues to manipulate glass in his garage and creates new colors at Spectrum Glass Company.