Fused Glass Basics- Level 100

Class Description

This basic course in fused glass provides 8 hours of instruction in a small class environment over 4 weeks and is foundational to your intermediate fused glass classes. All glass and tools are provided by the studio. By the end of this class, students will: - Understand the essential tools, materials, and safety practices in fused glass. - Learn how to cut, arrange, and layer glass for fusing. - Explore basic techniques such as full fuse, tack fuse, and slumping. - Create at least one finished fused glass project. Class Structure (4 Weeks) Week 1: Introduction & Safety (2 hours) - Overview of fused glass art and its possibilities. - Studio safety: handling glass, using tools, kiln safety. - Introduction to materials: sheet glass, frit, stringers, dichroic glass. - Demonstration: basic glass cutting and scoring. - Practice cutting straight lines, curves, and circles. - Introduction to design principles: color, transparency, layering. - Hands-on exercise: create a simple geometric design for a coaster. Week 2: Understanding Fusing Techniques (2 hours) - Full fuse vs. Tack fuse: differences in texture and finish. - Kiln schedules: basics of heating, soaking, and cooling. - Project: design and prepare a tack-fused piece with texture. - Using frit, stringers, and noodles for detail work. Week 3: Slumping & Shaping (2 hours) - Introduction to molds and slumping. - How to prepare molds with kiln wash or shelf paper. - Project: slump a fused piece into a dish or bowl. Week 4: Finishing Techniques (2 hours) - Coldworking basics: grinding edges, polishing. - Group critique and discussion of projects. Final project: student choice (plate, panel, or art piece). Materials & Tools (Provided): - Glass cutter, running pliers, grozing pliers. - Safety glasses, gloves. - Kiln with programmable controller. - Sheet glass, frit, stringers. - Kiln shelf paper or wash, molds for slumping. Student Outcomes: - Confidence in cutting and designing with glass. - Understanding of kiln firing schedules and fusing outcomes. - Completed projects showcasing different techniques.