Intro to Glass Casting

A quick overview of how to cast glass

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Glass casting begins with an original clay sculpture with as much detail as possible. A damn is made around the sculpture so that liquid latex can be poured into it, over the clay, to create a negative mold.

Plaster is poured into the resulting latex mold, creating a positive mold that can withstand the heat of the kiln.  The plaster cast is carved to smooth out any bubbles or other inperfections and for any embellishments such as added texture.

It’s then filled with sand, which is weighed to determine the exact amount of glass to exactly fill the mold.

The plaster mold is placed in the kiln, and filled with chunks of glass, broken billets.  The “Reclining Buddha” required just under 20 pounds of glass.  The kiln is  heated to around 1500 degrees and annealed (cooled to room temperature) over a period of three days or more.

Once the piece has reached room temperature the plaster is carefully broken off and discarded. The glass is then cleaned with dental tools, toothbrushes, and lots of elbow grease. The final step is polishing. The latex mold can be reused.

Cast glass Buddha

For info on fused glass, see my blog post.

© Copyright Leland Dennick 2015
All rights reserved

Learn Advanced Fusing Techniques One on One

You asked for it, I’m offering private lessons in glass fusing at our studio in Sebastopol.

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION

Here’s how it works.  For an hour fee (two hour minimum) I’ll provide instruction and tools – cutters, grinder, tile saw, kilns, polishers, etc.  You only need to bring your own eye protection (glasses or safety glasses) and wear appropriate clothing (including closed toe shoes).  The fee includes some glass.  Additional glass and materials are available for purchase. Buy just enough to complete your project. In addition to Bullseye brand’s vibrant color palette of 90 COE  glass, my students can also use one of a kind components that I’ve made, incuding raked, painted and layered glass.

Learn a new technique, make gifts, have fun!  Adults, and children age 8 and up with parental supervision. One to two people at a time.

BAKE AND TAKE PROJECTS

Here are a few project ideas to pique your imagination:

• Coasters – suitable for beginner to advanced
• Self portrait – great for kids
• Sushi plate- suitable for beginner to advanced
• Sun catchers and ornaments
• Pendants, cabuchons, and earrings
• Heart dish or wavy bowl
• Box with fused glass inset

 LEARN NEW TECHNIQUES

• Basic fusing & slumping
• Frit imagery (using powdered glass)
• Using color reactions for texture and depth
• Create and fuse your own decals (additional supply fees apply)
• 22 Kt gold leaf inclusions (additional supply fees apply)
• Paint with Sunshine vitreous water based, non-toxic enamels
• The art of cold working with diamond polishers
• The Bubble up technique for creating organic patterns in glass
• Working thick – multi-layered imagery

Sound like fun?  It is.  Call or email for more information.