We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
(L-R) Gen Benson, Library Director Colleen Brommer and Karolee Cronk mark glass plates to be cut and fused into pendants. The three were taking part in Harlem's "Learn at the Library" program taught by April Fox, who also teaches K-12 art in Turner.
Six local ladies gathered at the Harlem Library for the latest "Learn at the Library" program. The hands-on class was instructed by April Fox, a K-12 art, French and metal shop teacher at Turner. Each participant learned about the art/science of fusing glass plates to create their own design and layout for a pendant. Because the fusing process requires a special kiln, at the completion of the class Fox took each finished design to her own studio where she would complete the fusing process.
April Fox
April Fox has taught at Turner for 10 years. Before coming to Turner she taught at Joplin-Inverness and in Moorhead, Minnesota. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Art Education from Concordia College in Moorhead. Later she completed a master's degree in Art Integration from the University of Montana. The graduate program integrates art with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) disciplines, resulting in broader interdisciplinary experiences for students.
Fox has previous experience with stained glass but said, "I got interested in glass fusing when I took a course at a teachers' convention." She's been using the techniques for the last five years to create glass jewelry, from pins and pendants to earrings. Fox also teaches glass fusing to her classes at Turner.
Glass Fusing 101
Before beginning the hands-on work, Fox took a few minutes to explain the glass fusing process and something of the tools and materials the class would be using. The glass, which comes in sheets of varying sizes, is made for certain art applications and some for industry use. She explained, "The glass we will be using has a special coefficient of expansion. That means, unlike regular window glass, when heated it will expand and cool at a consistent rate without shattering." The heating process takes about 18 hours, ultimately reaching 3200 degrees, using a timer-controlled kiln that slowly raises the temperature to the desired level, then slowly cools. One of the students quipped, "So, we can't fuse these pieces in our oven at home?" Lots of laughter from the other classmates.
Another attribute of the special glass, per Fox, is it tends to keep the original thickness of the glass plates as it is fused. She said, "Normally, for a pendant or earrings, we only use two plates of glass-too many layers and the piece is too heavy to comfortably wear. One transparent plate is placed on top with a translucent plate on bottom-that allows a blending of colors and designs with the translucent plate providing background for the transparent piece on top." Interestingly, the plates tend to keep their original shape as they are heated. Fox explained, "If the pieces are overheated their shape begins to form a circle-like a melted puddle." The pendants were fashioned from glass plates, of about one inch along each side, either as squares or rectangles.
Fusing the glass
First, students selected the two pieces of glass they planned to fuse for their pendant. The two plates have to evenly overlay for a smooth edge when completed. First they measured and cut the glass. The glass cutter was of the type available at most hardware stores or lumber yards. One interesting tool looked like a large set of pliers, with a line along the top of tool that held the glass. By carefully lining up the line on the tool with the scored glass plate, a little pressure would 'pop' the glass along the line, giving a nice clean edge. If the edge was slightly rough, Fox said she could used a grinder, at home, to smooth the edges.
Once the glass plates were cut to size and laid one on top of the other, a small amount of glue was added between the two plates to keep them in place during the fusing process. Fox said, "It's a special glue that won't leave any residue when the glue melts during the fusing process. The glue holds the plates in place until the plates begin to fuse." The plates were cleaned with alcohol, prior to gluing, to remove fingerprints and the line left from marking for cutting.
At the close of the class Fox reminded the participants, "I'll fire the pendants at home, then bring them back to the library where you can pick them up." From the excited looks as the ladies looked at their new pendants, it's not likely they'll have to be reminded to pick them up.
