Trials and Tribulations

My first attempt at an enclosed form. The idea is to mix different blue glasses with clear bevels to throw coloured highlights when used as a suncatcher.

First step was to build two pyramids. These were then cleaned ready for finishing. They were then joined together. My fear was that the solder would melt through the join and fall inside the piece.

Sure enough, after carefully tacking and then closing the joint all the way around, I ran a full bead to finish the seam. Only one side then flowed through the joint and created a blob across the opposite edge. My first reaction, working on the principle that solder flows towards the heat was to melt the joint solder over the blob, holding this edge downwards so that the solder could fall out. This worked and cleared the blob that was over the foil. However some had solidified on the glass surface and this did not move.

Only one thing to do - melt all the solder around the joint to separate the two pyramids. It took a while, and damaged much of the copper foil. The positive result was that I devised a technique that should  avoid the solder flow problem. Sure enough, after replacing the copper I was able to join the two pyramids and obtain a reasonable bead of solder.

The sculpture was then spoiled by overenthusiastic washing that caused a few drops of water to smear two of the inside faces. I was not opening the piece again. It has been finished and will be kept in the studio as a reminder of the lessons learned.

The Mirror

I prefer making sculptures, but enjoy creating the occasional flat piece.

The mirror came about as a request shortly after I finished the Fantasy in Glass course. It was a nice challenge so I spent an evening doodling in my sketch book. The result was two satisfactory designs, and the client chose the circular one.

Off we went to the Fantasy in Glass shop to choose a selection of opaque glass. The mirror will be hanging on a wall so the glass frame needs to be reflective. We chose a few pieces of Uroboros 'Heads and Tails' as they have such fantastic colours and occasional dramatic patterns. I also asked Mike to cut the mirror circles for me as I have yet to get a circle cutter.

Once the pattern was drawn up full size I changed the colour layout from that in the sketch book. It was then a case of making paper templates and cutting the glass - not so easy for the deep inside curves around the small circles so I used the grinder to cut notches then hand cut between them as there was a lot of glass to remove.

Once assembled and cleaned the solder was given a copper patina to allow the glass to dominate.

 Perhaps a case of over engineering, but I was concerned about the weight and strength of copper foil and solder joints, so added a continuous length of heavy copper wire around the perimeter. The suspension ring is made from another length of copper wire soldered to the perimeter and every joint that it crosses. Together these should keep the work in one piece.

 

Back view showing hanging loop

The mirror was hung from an existing wall fitting, but was then too high for the client and her daughters. The simple remedy was to make a short chain to lower the mirror, using the copper wire again, soldering each link for security.

Cubes 1

The first 'dimensional' piece I made on the course was a 4 inch cube to my own design standing on a cut off corner.

Once I established my home studio this piece led to more three dimensional pieces that I refer to as my 'Cubic' series. So far there are four designs in the series, worked on at different times and interspersed with other designs.

Cubic 2 was a fairly obvious development, with four corners shaved off.

Part of the fun of working with glass is seeing the effects of light on the piece.

 It is light that brings the work to life.

The body was made in transparent glass with textured green swirls, while smokey grey originally used in Cubic1 was used for the corner panels. When I revisit this design I will use stronger colours to see how it changes the look.

During the course I had planned to make a large piece with all bevels, 4 inch squares and triangles. I'm not sure if I lost the triangles or did not purchase them, as I was selecting quite a bit of glass at the time. Anyhow, Cubic3 now has the square bevels and art glass triangles. The triangles were made from smokey grey and strong wispy blue.

 

While working on the piece I discovered that it looked quite good standing on one of the triangular sides.

An incidental effect is the depth of image provided by the mirrored base.

Bevels add extra dimensions to the light that is transmitted and refracted through the sculpture.

On first sight Cubic3 does not look like a cube. However, imagine that the beveled glass, base and open top are the faces of a 6 inch cube, then cut off all 8 corners to give equilateral triangles.  

I have also been playing with different ways of treating the solder seams. In Cubic1 the solder joints were cleaned and polished. However, the bright silver lines tend to be visually dominant and detract from the glass.

The next step is seen in Cubic2 with the application a copper patina (also used on its contemporary, the three dimensional star). This is an improvement on polished silver, and seemed very good at the time.

Black patina was used on Cubic3. When first applied this is a dead matt black, but finishing compound brings up a deep polish that can be so reflective as to appear silver. Neither was the finish that I was looking for.

Cubic4 came about as an amalgamation of the last of the suspended sculptures and the Cubic series. In fact it is the only true cube! I had set up a cutting jig for the last of the suspended sculptures and cut more two inch squares that were needed. After finishing that piece I decided to try something simpler - so built a cube with a lift off lid. The lid was made from two pieces of glass, laminated together. The glue joint showed in the clear glass so, having just invested in a fusing kiln, I decided to try a fused lid.

  
With this piece I arrived at a suitable treatment for the solder joints that complements the glass. The solder joint is cleaned then polished, copper patina applied and buffed, then black patina is brushed on and quickly washed off. Once dried it is cleaned and polished with two coats of finishing compound. The result is close to weathered bronze with a polished finish.

A simple star

After the complications of constructing the last suspended sculpture I decided to do something nice and simple.

A traditional star using bevels. Just foil the pieces and pin them down on the board for soldering . . .

Rather than apply a patina the solder has been left silver, polished with finishing compound to delay tarnishing. Occasional applications of wax polish will keep the shine.

Even in a simple two dimensional piece beveled glass can provide pleasing shapes and throw an array of highlights, making a delightful suncatcher.

A collection of suspended sculptures throwing highlights into the room.

Suspended Sculptures 1

I find that working on one project usually triggers ideas for more designs. To this end I keep a sketch book devoted to ideas for glass projects. Often, what is eventually made is in itself an evolution of the idea in the sketch book.

My final project on the course was a three dimensional star constructed from square bevels.

While working on it I could see a number of possible developments, primarily by using coloured glass and by changing the shape of the component pieces.

My next step was a combination of the two, using coloured glass in 'kite' shapes that kept the 90° angle for the core of the sculpture.

This resulted in a more obvious star shape, but with the same basic structure. I used wispy amber glass for the vertical arms and a transparent amber with surface texture for the other arms. I also treated the solder with copper patina to get away from the bright silver lines that distract from the colour and texture of the glass (but would all to soon become a dull grey).

 For me the pleasure of glass is seeing it changing the light that shines through it.

The projected sunlight in this image enhances the texture of the glass surface.

A week or two later I decided to extend the basic design using coloured glass squares and bevels. A simple jig was set up to cut a selection of coloured two inch squares (which incidentally inspired another cubic design).

While quite simple in concept this piece proved something of a challenge to construct. I really need a bench vise with a swivel head to hold the pieces for soldering. As it was I made do with the two salvaged computer hard drives, blocks of wood, card and push pins. These enabled me to position the work to keep the joint being soldered horizontal.

The two bevels throw highlights, enhancing the projected colours.

The solder has been treated with a more complicated patina, using copper and black, to give an antiqued finish. While holding the piece and polishing I was reminded of my sextant, with its selection of square coloured filters that could be pivoted over the telescope lens and horizon glass to protect the eyes from the full strength of the sun.