Modern Makers 2020 Blog // Part One: Introduction to Glassmaking

Within my first few days with Amanda doing glasswork I have created things that I am extremely proud of especially for only doing it for three days. We have created tiles with both power glass and sheet glass. We tried sheet glass first and I did enjoy the experience of trying sheet glass, however I did find it tricky using all of the different equipment, - I can’t make a straight line to save myself – that therefore made it difficult joining all of the pieces together so they touch. I did have some gaps however they will eventually be stumped (turn into vessels). Overall I did enjoy sheet glass, with more practice I feel like I could really like it, and could also maybe get less cuts on my hands!

We used powered glass, this technique I liked the most between the sheet and powered glass, as you can created patterns easier and I find it more fun and relaxing. We created tiles and vessels with powered glass and the are currently in the kiln.

Today (25th Feb) I started grinding down the tiles and vessels of the sheet glass. I liked doing this however my vessel cracked so therefore I had to make it shorter than what I wanted however I am still happy with the result. On Thursday (27th Feb) we are doing a bigger piece, I am thinking of doing an oval vessel, with the patterns of leaves under a microscope, however I am still working on the idea.

I have liked doing glasswork so much so far that I have decided to use the glasswork I am doing with Amanda for my Art and Design Project class in college.

Written by Modern Makers participant Georgia Collins.