The Glass Artist's Studio Handbook Traditional and Contemporary Techniques for Working with Glass

179 Pages·2011·77.95 MB·English

by  Cecilia Cohen

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A R T I S T ' S
STUDIO HANDBOOK

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Text © 2011 by Cecilia Cohen
Photography and Design © 2011 Quarry Books
First published in the United States of America in 2011 by
Quarry Books, a member of
Quayside Publishing Group
100 Cummings Center
Suite 406-L
Beverly, Massachusetts 01915-6101
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.quarrybooks.com
Visit www.CraftsideTypepad.com for a behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world!
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permis
sion of the copyright owners. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge
and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by the producer,
publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents
of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with
information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve
inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.
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ISBN-13: 978-1-59253-697-9
ISBN-10: 1-59253-697-2
Digital edition published in 2011
eISBN-13: 978-1-61058-026-7
Digital edition: 978-1-61058-026-7
Softcover edition: 978-1-59253-697-9
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available
Design: Laura H. Couallier, Laura Herrmann Design
Cover Images: Nataly Cohen Kadosh, except top-middle, Kerri Fuhr,
and middle-left, Aimee Mitchell
Photography: Nataly Cohen Kadosh
Printed in China
Printed in Singapore
Efi, Asaf, Nadav, and Daniel
because, in the end, it's all about love.
Contents
8 Introduction
1 1 PART 1 Starting from 50 CHAPTER 3 Stained Glass
Scratch: Setting Up
Common Stained Glass Processes
50
Your Studio
More Than Glass
56
Good Design Practices
Planning the 62
12 CHAPTER 1
Studio Layout Troubleshooting and Making Repairs
62
Stained Glass Project 1:
65
Studio Infrastructure
12
Stained Glass Flower: Dahlia
Planning the Work Area
14
Stained Glass Project 2:
69
Storage
17
Open-Topped Agate Box
Studio Safety
19
Stained Glass Project 3:
73
Decorative Panel: At the Beach
Glass Studio
22 CHAPTER 2
Tools and Supplies
Glass Fusing
80 CHAPTER 4
Kilns
22
Fusing Glass
80
Lampworking Torches
30
other Materials
82
Hand Tools and other Supplies
33
Fusing Kilns
83
The Simple Start-up Studio
38
Basic Kiln Techniques
83
Basic Fusing Techniques
84
41 PART 2 Exploring Glass: 85 Special Techniques
Basic Techniques
Understanding and Correcting
86
Common Fusing Mistakes
Selecting Glass
42
Fusing Project 1: Fused Pendant
88
Cutting Glass
43
Fusing Project 2:
90
Drilling Glass
49
Fused and Slumped Tea Light Dish
Recycled Bottle Necklace,
page 125
92 CHAPTER 5 Lampworking 11 1 PART 3 Melding Skills
and Techniques: Studio
Selecting Glass: Soft vs. Hard
94
Projects
Before You Light the Torch
94
Lighting the Torch Stained Glass Pendant and
96 113
Earring Set: Wild Roses
Extinguishing the Torch
97
Stained Glass Hibiscus Treasure Box
Tricks of the Trade 119
98
Recycled Bottle Necklace
Dealing with the Unexpected 125
100
Beaded Stained Glass Panel:
Lampworking Project 1: 133
102
Jurassic Jewel
Making a Basic Bead
Stained Glass Kaleidoscope:
Lampworking Project 2: 141
104
Fantastic Journey
Decorative Techniques
Floral Lampwork Necklace:
Lampworking Project 3: 147
107
Spring Beauty
Disks and Hollow Beads
Annealing and Batch Annealing
109
Glass Artist Gallery
153 PART 4
Resources
172
Contributing Artists
173
Index
174
About the Author
176
About the Photographer
176
Tea Light Dish,
page 90
Introduction
GLASS IS WONDERFUL. When declared with feeling, this statement
expresses the intense passion that I feel for my craft. It is, however, a
woefully inadequate way to start a book about glass art techniques;
it expresses neither the joy and opportunities for creative expres
sion and satisfaction that can be gained from creating glass art, nor
the time, effort, and commitment that we must give to learn tech
niques, develop designs, and create a unique piece. The challenge is
always there: When we start and when we finish, glass is hard and
stiff. It's only when we are working with glass that we can cut it, melt
it, shape it, arrange it, and manipulate it. Many times, it's an unfor
giving material. Yet the beauty in glass has captured hearts and
hands for thousands of years. While glass art techniques were once
trade secrets, jealously kept within families, today the materials,
tools, and training are easily within reach of almost anyone interested
in learning the craft. We can create pieces that are extraordinarily
useful or simply decorative, of almost any size. Glass, I believe, has
something for everyone.
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Is This Book for You?
If you're interested in learning glass art techniques, if you have some
techniques under your belt and wish to learn more, or if you're looking
for one definitive "bible" for the three techniques covered on these
pages, this handbook is right for you.
In part 1 of The Glass Artist's Studio Handbook, we'll cover the basics of
setting up a studio, including guidelines for working safely, and we'll provide
an overview of common tools and supplies. In part 2, we'll explore three
popular techniques for creating glass art. In part 3, we'll combine those
techniques to create unique projects that will challenge you and advance
your skills.
Hopefully, even if you're already familiar with many of the subjects
covered, this book will add to your proficiency and stimulate you to think
about design and technique in new ways that you'll ultimately express in
your creations.
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