How They're Made

I didn't come up with the idea for glass wafers (there's a short online course that I followed a couple of years ago) but the progression to making abstracts with them happened as a result of my being a multi-creative: often working on several different craft projects at the same time.

At the beginning of 2022 I started working through a book on colour theory, something I'd never really learned, beyond the basics of complementary colours. Each tutorial in the book required you to make lots of samples - it was very prescriptive and I was getting fidgety. I can't quite remember the timeline, but I'd been thinking about abstract art and yet didn't really know where to start. Jane Davies's book 'Abstract Painting: The Elements of Visual Language' offered me a way in. I started using the leftover paint from my colour swatches to make collage paper and backgrounds, and play with lines, shapes and texture. 

At some point my wondering brain said 'how about making this abstract using glass wafers?'. Not such a stretch as the collage shapes were very similar to the glass wafers I'd been making. And actually that first sample wasn't great, but the technique stuck and I've been refining the process ever since.

Design

I spend a good while 'designing' the piece, mostly in my head, until I have a good idea of how I'd like it to look.

Trial and Error

I try out different proportions of glass powders to get the colours I'm after and make test wafers for textures.

Make the wafers

I make the wafers by sifting a fine layer of powder over a cardboard template onto a primed kiln shelf (so it doesn't stick).

Fire the wafers

Fused to 700˚C. Just enough to stick the glass particles together, whilst keeping a lovely texture.

Prepare the base

Cut 6mm clear glass to make a base. Fired to soften the edges.

Assembly

With a pile of wafers and a loose plan I can start to build up the design. I'll often have to make a few more wafers to fill in gaps.

Fusing

The assembled piece, carefully transferred to the kiln, can then be fused to 'stick' the wafers to the base.

Preparing the mount

It was important to find the best way to display the glass. I like the warmth of the wood with handmade copper clips.

Signature

Finishing touches and a K engraved on the edge.