24 W "Finish it Up" (PM) (Polishing, Beveling & Cold Working)
½-Day PM class - Wednesday Oct. 1st
1:pm – 4:pm
“Cold Working” is a term used for all kinds of drilling, grinding and polishing processes that are performed outside of the kiln, torch or furnace. What often sets the pros apart from the amateurs is their attention to edge and surface finishing. Glass straight out of the kiln frequently has unsightly burs, tags and irregularities that need to be addressed before the piece is truly finished. In this class you will see how different cold working options can change the overall elegance and appearance of a finished piece of art. You will learn about the different tools used such as lap grinders, pneumatic or electric hand grinder/polisher, wet belt sander and beveling machines. You will also experience the step by step procedures that take a piece from roughly ground to highly polished.
This class is for the most part a lecture/demo type of class although there is time allowed for each student a have an opportunity to grind and polish a piece of glass.
Students need to bring: Pen and paper, Safety glass and dust mask (if they are going to use the equipment) and a willingness to learn. Students are also encouraged to bring a piece of glass from home or another class for discussion.
Registration $125.00
25 T - "On The Edge"
Thursday, Oct. 2nd
Many of the more intriguing pieces of fused glass are made by combining pre-made components. This exciting class combines edge strip designs, cast elements and delicate stringer patterns with the optical depth created when the glass is thicker than the standard 1/4 inch. The day will start out with a brief slide show presentation of works made using these techniques followed by students creating stringer, frit and sheet components. The parts will later be used as design elements when combined with strips of glass fused on edge. Other surface decorations are then added to these ornate 5” x 5” x 3/8” thick tiles. Finishing, cold working, lighting and display options will then be discussed as part of this multi-dimensional exploration into the tricks used to work thick.
Along with eagerness to learn new glass working skills, students should bring a glass cutter, safety glasses and any favorite glass working tools.
26 F- “Relief Image Kiln Forming”
Friday, Oct. 3rd
27 S - "Relief Image Kiln Forming"
Saturday, Oct. 4th
In this class you will explore a unique way of casting glass over the top of a refractory plaster model thus leaving a relief image in the back portion of the glass. Since the design element will be in the back of the piece and viewed by looking though the front of the glass; clarity, color density and bubbles are of great concern. The goal is to achieve a degree of optical quality using kiln forming techniques. Some of the keys to this process are the reusable mold materials and unique containment forms which withstand taking the glass to higher than normal temperatures. This is a multi-step process involving mold making, creating a rubber negative form, casting a high temperature positive followed by loading, firing and finishing the glass. The workshop ends with a discussion on finishing, lighting and displaying the final piece. The results are truly unique and the class is as fun as it is informative. Don’t miss this one.
Students should bring: safety glasses, glass cutters, breaking pliers, notebook and pencil.
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Kerry Transtrum
Raised in a small town in