Middle School Studio Lesson

Warming Up to Tana Mendenhall arm glass produces of mystery about their creation, glass as a hobby, but it is still not used for unique art objects fusing is actually quite simple. large-scale production. that cannot be repli- Wcated with any other Glass Fusion: A History Glass Fusing Equipment and Tools method. The term “” is Archaeological evidence suggests that • Glass cutters are used to score interchangeable with the term “glass early Egyptians had knowledge of basic glass so that it can be broken into fusing”; both are used to describe the glass fusing techniques, but it was the specific shapes and sizes. A pistol- method of using a kiln to join pieces Romans who perfected it some years grip is recommended of glass together. later. With the introduction of the as it dispenses oil while cutting the Quite simply, when heat is applied blowpipe, fusing fell from favor because glass and helps to create smoother, to glass, it will soften and eventually offered a quicker way to cleaner cuts. become fluid. When the glass reaches create glass objects. Glass fusing did • Running pliers have a flat head a fluid state, pieces will meld together not regain wide popularity until the and are used to grip glass along the to create one glass object. While fin- turn of the twentieth century. Since the scored edge. ished warm glass products have an air 1960s, glass fusing has become popular • Groziers (breaker) pliers have a ser-

WEB December 2011 SchoolArts Samples of COE 90 glass. first clean the cutting surface. Debris under the glass can cause it to unex- pectedly break. Next, score the glass with a glass cutter, then grasp the glass with running pliers, and twist to break it along the scored line. Use gro- zier pliers to clean the edges if needed. Prepare a heat-resistant area where glass can cool after being removed from the kiln. Be careful not to place hot shelves on laminate or other easily damaged surfaces.

Production Provide three to five pieces of glass to each student. Remind students that the glass is sharp. Encourage students to plan designs on paper before assem- bling the individual pieces of glass. Simple designs are almost always the best. Use a dark color as the base and build up no more than three or four layers. Use a drop of white glue to hold each layer in place. The glue will dis- sipate once the glass fuses. Clear glass as the top layer adds dimension to the finished piece. Fire the glass in the kiln and allow it to cool before adding Completed pendant. the chosen jewelry findings. can be prepared for firing. Use stilts to stack shelves. Close and Extend Take digital photographs of fused Glass Fusing Materials pieces before they are placed in the • An assortment of glass that is either kiln. Compare the photograph to the COE 90 or COE 96, a notation that finished piece. How did the fusing rated edge that can be used to chew refers to the coefficient of expan- process change the design? How did away rough spots on edges. sion and contraction of glass. The the glass change? Why? Remind stu- • Heat-resistant gloves are thick and two coefficients cannot be used dents that each piece of fused glass cover the fingers, hand, and lower together. Varied rates of expan- is a unique creation. No two pieces arms. Use them to open a hot kiln, sion and contraction will cause the will be the same, even when they look remove the hot shelves, and handle pieces to break during fusing. identical before fusing. hot glass. • Kiln wash should be used on the • Goggles or safety cover the interior surfaces and shelves in a Tana Mendenhall was an art education major at Northern Arizona University, eyes and should be worn when cut- 5:1 ratio (water: wash). A 1:1 ratio Flagstaff when she taught this lesson. ting glass or viewing the glass while should be used the first time a kiln National Standard it is fusing. is used. Smoothly apply the wash Students intentionally take advantage • A haik brush is a soft brush used to so that it does not leave marks on of the qualities and characteristics of smoothly apply kiln wash. the fused glass. Use caution not to art media, techniques, and processes • A kiln that is capable of reaching inhale the wash when mixing it. to enhance communication of their temperatures of about 1500°F is • White glue, adhesive, and jewelry experiences and ideas. required. While kilns used for clay findings will be needed for assem- will serve the purpose, it is better bling the pieces. Web Link to use a kiln that is specifically for www.paragonweb.com/Kiln_Pointer. glass. Preparation cfm?PID=293 • Shelves made from clay or other It is advisable to pre-cut the glass for material. It is advisable to have students to prevent injuries. Use cut- more than one shelf so that while ting mats or boards to protect table- one load of glass is cooling, another tops when cutting glass. To ,

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