Glass Techniques

At Torbay Glass Studio a number of different techniques are used to create artworks, often in combination. The portfolios showcase many examples and information on the techniques can be viewed by clicking on the links below.

		Copper foiling: Stained glass is cut, ground and assembled on a table in the pattern of the original design. Copper foil is then applied to the edges of each piece of glass. This provides a surface which allows the entire work to be soldered together. Copper foiling is used in preference to leading (the old traditional technique) because of the detail which can be expressed, strength and safety considerations.
		Multi-staged etched glass: Pressurised air forces abrasive sands through a small nozzle to etch the glass surface. To create the picture a design is stencilled into the masking, which provides the edges in the design, while varying air pressures create the light and shade definition. The masking is selectively removed as necessary in between sand blasting applications to create the picture, allowing very fine detail to be shown.
		Painting: Stippled painting is the traditional technique usually used to add detail to biblical stained glass works often seen in churches. Pigment is first applied evenly over the whole surface with a badger hair brush, and when it is dry part of the painted surface is selectively removed to reveal the image. The remaining paint becomes a permanent part of the glass when they are fused together in a high-temperature kiln. Other types of painted glass use enamels or glass frits.
		Kiln forming and casting: Using carefully controlled temperatures, glass is heated until it softens enough to move with gravity or begins to flow to the boundaries of its viscosity. Many glass forms can be created in this way, including some that require multiple firings to get the desired results. All methods have different firing schedules and require appropriate kiln furniture to support the processes.
		Lamp working: Lamp worked glass is the term given to glass that is melted in a flame. The glass is heated carefully to melting point and wound over a mandrel. Glass rods and tubes can also be used to make small forms and blown pieces, to which colours can be added to create very intricate artworks. This is the most common method of making glass beads and similar small objects.