Glass for the K-16 classroom. Are you CRAZY?

1. Glass for the K-16 classroom. Are you CRAZY? Jennifer Betz, Ed.D Piedmont College Department of Art http://www.piedmont.edu/art/ Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

2. A few words about glass In general… Any kind of glass melts! However, it will melt with itself, not necessarily any other type of glass. 2. Every glass has certain melting temperatures and “COE’s” We don’t know the COE for MOST glass types. ** The only way to know is to test! Even years later, if COE’s don’t match, the piece can magically explode or crack! Glass is as sharp as a scalpel, seriously! NEVER touch glass without safety goggles. Many people also wear gloves. Consider ventilation, or working in a covered outdoor area. A box of glass is very sharp indeed! Flying glass is even more so! Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

3. How do I fire glass? • Use a regular ceramic, microwave or glass kiln • Usually glass is fired at about 1450-1500 f, which is about cone 013-014 • Only takes a few hours usually • Google firing charts online depending on what type of glass you use. (sample firing charts on Piedmont.edu/art) • You will need to use computer control or manually watch glass as it anneals (stays at one temp for 1-5 hours, about 1000 F) Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

4. Molds for any type of glass: • Kiln washed: • Stainless steel • Flower pot bottoms • ANY bisque pot/ceramic that Is not glazed! • Some ceramic or glass molds Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

5. A. Using fusible glass • Fusible glass comes from Manufacturers that use • STABLE SOURCES of glass • You can buy 96 COE(spectrum) or 90 COE(bullseye) BUT ONLY BUY ONE KIND! • Mixing glass kinds will result in instant or • “years later” random explosions • Who wants to wear or hang glass that randomly explodes? • Presenter uses 96 COE for all pieces shown today Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

6. Glass will always be a specific density when completely melted (About ¼ inch) More layers just “Spread out bigger” Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

7. To fire fused glass: • Use glass cutters or other way of cutting glass • Glue with “Blue” elmer’s school glue • (just for transport- it burns away quickly) • Fire in “stacks”. • Feel the “weight” of the stacked glass. That is how heavy it will be on your neck! • Remember: You can re-cut (or smash) fused glass • over and over again • and put on new pieces. • It never goes bad! • Use kiln wash no matter what- new kiln wash every other time • Some glass artists use “kiln shelf paper” for a very smooth back, or wet-sand the glass after it is fired Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

8. You can scratch into the surface of Dichro with a pin to draw. Decals like the one shown are also available for narrative stories A typical fused glass pendant and earrings When used as a fundraiser, consider using “FIBER PAPER” instead of bails to hang the work Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

9. Microwave kiln Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

10. Using Window glass Aka “float” glass Glass from Window panes Sold at Lowe’s, etc Has one “tin” side Tempered Glass (Always has a mark in one bottom corner) **will only break if hit on a corner Makes very small pieces (millions!) Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

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12. Dried and Pressed Flowers or leaves In between Two pieces of Window glass Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

13. Use “Thompson enamels” or Float-glass-compatable frit To color “any” window glass Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

14. Artwork made with Enamels and High temp markers On window glass Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

15. Using window glass… No firing required! ! ! Take any glass ALREADY in a frame, or window Use non-toxic etching crème OR wet sand paper to Give the work a “tooth” or rough surface Use Prismacolor pencils or “some” oil pastels To color, layer Older students can use non-toxic paint thinner…. Looks like a painting when complete! Online, see http://www.instructables.com/id/Layered-glass-art/ Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

16. Even young children can… Use High temperature markers in a glass frame From the dollar store! (teacher removes glass from frame and fires overnight, returns to frame) The student can even paint the paper behind the glass to make a multi-dimensional work of art! 2. Cut a stencil and have the teacher apply a non-toxic salt etch over it (the stencil area is etched, the rest of the glass is not) Students can use colored pencils to draw on top of the etched part- almost works like oil paint 3. Use tape on a piece of framed glass to “mask off” an area. The teacher applies non-toxic etch to the rest of the glass. See above. Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

17. With young or limited ability students.. To use fused glass When other possibilities fail, do one on one/hand over hand with students. Use volunteers to assist with choosing colors and textures of glass and assist with gluing Always pre-cut materials and have safety goggles on EVERY student Use tweezers to pick up glass Teacher should assist with fiber paper so that objects can be worn or hung without an expensive bail Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

18. Fundraising/Advocacy Ideas: K-16 • Have a Faculty and staff workshop before a holiday • Allow them to make and take their own fused glass pendants (cost is about 3-4 a piece without a bail, about 5 if with a bail. Increase that if you want a profit • Have your art club make and sell to parents, at a festival, etc • Using window glass, use fiber paper through 2 small cut pieces. After firing, use etch crème to “roughen it up” or wet sand paper • Finally, use prismacolor pencils to draw on them • (virtually no cost other than the paper and etch crème) • Dichroic glass costs about 1.00 an inch. Limit it! Betz Piedmont College 10.2010

19. Advanced/High school or college work: Put broken glass in a flower pot Poke a hole in the flower pot at the bottom Let the glass drip into a mold Flower pot with Recycled glass in it Betz Piedmont College 10.2010