GLOSSARY

Fused Glass -- A technique in which two or more layers of fusible glass are stacked and put in the kiln and heated to 1450 - 1500 degrees.  The layers of glass will get soft enough at this temperature and melt together to become one piece of glass.

Slumped Glass -- A technique used to shape a piece of glass using a mold, heat and gravity.  We use this technique for our glass bowls, glass plates, glass candle holders, glass vases, and glass spoon rests.

 

Draped Glass -- A technique used to shape a piece of glass using a mold and heating it in the kiln.  Usually one layer of glass or two or more layers of fused glass are placed on top of a mold, such as a cone-shaped mold used to make certain types of candle holders or vases and placed in the kiln.  When the temperature in the kiln reaches about 1250 degrees the glass will soften enough to fall or drape over the mold.  We use this technique for glass candle holders, glass vases and glass plates.

Fire polishing -- a technique used to create a shiny surface to glass after it has been ground on a grinder.  The piece of glass is put back in the kiln and heated to 1400 degrees.

Dichroic Glass -- a high tech glass that consists of a very thin layer of different metallics deposited on the surface of glass, either black or clear glass.  This creates a brilliant coating on the glass that displays more than one color, especially when viewed from different angles.  The dichroic glass transmits and reflects different colors according to the lighting conditions.  Dichroic glass comes in many different colors, patterns and textures.  The photo on the right is a piece of patterned dichroic glass called "Marquis" and the dichroic is placed on a black piece of glass.

Iridized Glass -- a surface that is chemically treated to have a rainbow or iridescent appearance.

 

Kiln -- an insulated chamber for heating and cooling glass or ceramics.

Kiln-Formed Glass -- glass that is fused, slumped, draped, or textured by the heat of a kiln.

Annealing -- slowly cooling the glass in the kiln, so that any strain created in the glass during the heating process is released. The critical area for cooling is 1000-800 degrees.  Annealing creates a much stronger glass piece and it won't crack on its own.  Of course, if you drop your glass piece on the floor, we can't be held responsible for that!