Experimenting with Glass Powder to Create Glass Wafers
Experimenting with Glass Powder to Create Glass Wafers
March 22-23, 2024
10am-4pm daily with a one hour lunch
Genevieve Flynn Studio
Genevieve Flynn, Instructor
Fee: $120.00 class fee. $30.00 material fee = $150.00 (The material fee refers to the use of the studio kiln)
Students will be introduced to the process of sifting fine glass powders onto a kiln shelf to create delicate, glass pieces. These pieces can be used however the student wishes. (Please know that the finished Items are fragile.)
Genevieve would like you to know that she is by no means an expert in this process and can only give the information that she has learned. There are times that she still refers to books and online resources when having issues. So please know that this Is a very basic workshop In working with glass powders and glass wafers.
Please know that these powders do not get full fusion firings. This means that the color will not be exactly as it would be when fused fully, as in a glassy or glossy state. This is not an enamel where the powder is fully fired to a glossy state. Our pieces will have a texture to them once they come out of the kiln. You of course could fire them to a full fuse but glass shrinks and it will not be the same size as it was when put into the kiln. Each color will be different once fired, but the powders will not reach their full color potential unless fully fused. Once students are confident In doing this process they could explore tack fusing the glass wafers to another sheet of glass and then slumping that Into a mold. THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN DURING THIS WORKSHOP.
I do suggest that students do some samples to be fired so they understand the properties and color changes. Please know that the samples possibly will not be ready for viewing until the second day of class due to the amount of time It takes to fire and cool
You are asked to order any of the glass powders that you would like to try. Genevieve suggests that If you have a friend or know of another participating student that you share the glass powders to cut the cost down of materials.
Be sure to order Bullseye compatible glass powders as many glasses are not compatible, You will want to purchase a COE 90 glass powder. The items will be listed with their color numbers and then be followed by 0008 designating that the item is a powder. Genevieve suggests ordering a 5 ounce container of each color wanted. An example of how a product may look on the website that you might order from:
Example: Tomato Red Opalescent powder #0024-0008-F
#0024 refers to the actual color (Tomato Red Opalescent) #0008 refers to the coarseness of the frit. In this case It refers to powder
Here are some resources to purchase from:
Each company has a link attached to it and it will take you to the COE 90 Glass products
REMEMBER THAT YOU WANT TO ORDER 90 COE POWDER
PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT GENEVIEVE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS PRIOR TO ORDERING THE POWDERS AND PLEASE ORDER PRODUCTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS IT TAKES TIME FOR SHIPPING.
Prior to class dates each student should do some basic research in the properties of glass. You can choose to order the book I am suggesting or just do some basic reading on Bullseye Glass website. They have a lot of free tutorials and information.
Here Is a link to Bullseye’s tutorials that are free. You may find that you will get excited and subscribe to Bullseye’s tutorials for a nominal $45 a year. It gives you access to many articles that are super useful.
Genevieve will not go into detail about the properties of glass other than the very basics. So this is an important part of your preparation for the class.
The following title below is a book that is very basic:
WARM GLASS A complete guide to kiln forming techniques.
By Philippa Beveridge, Ignasi Domenech, Eva Pascual
Genevieve cannot stress enough how Important It Is that you do some reading about glass and Its properties before attending the class.
By no means do you need to be an expert or memorize the information but it will be helpful to you and Genevieve
Please wear natural fibers to class. Synthetic fibers are very flammable and when you are putting items into the kiln or more likely removing them from a warm kiln it is good to wear cotton or something similar.
CRICUT MACHINE USED FOR STENCIL CUTTING
Students will be Instructed as to how to use a machine called CRICUT. If you happen to own one of these then I would suggest you bring It with you to class. It would be greatly appreciated If you would consider allowing students to use It as It will help this process move along faster
Not only should images be brought to class but Genevieve highly suggests images that are more simple. The Cricut will not cut an image with alot of detail So, remove as much detail as possible and also clean up any dots or splotches in Adobe Photoshop before coming to class. Images should be saved as a jpeg or png as this will speed up the stencil cutting process when using the Cricut machine to cut stencil designs. Please have these Images uploaded to a thumbdrive so It can be downloaded onto the machine.
Genevieve will assist each student during this time to ensure that the items turn out for the students.
Once the stencils are made then a demo showing how to sift the powders onto the firing shelf will be made.
Items each student should bring to class:
An assortment of diamond burs, the cheapies work well
A small engraving pen that I purchased from Amazon, this will be used to clean up the edges of the glass pieces. See Images below for reference of the products
Apron
N-95 Mask
Safety glasses
Closed drinking containers
Latex gloves or some sort of glove that will allow you to handle items easily
Sifters these can be the same ones used for enameling if you do not have any I can possibly supply a couple of students with them. If you are purchasing sifters go to Thompson Enamels. Please get a small sifter and a medium sized one (The company has a link connected to It)
Fine point brush, 00 should work well natural bristle (don’t spend alot of money on a natural bristle brush)
Angled brush, natural bristle
Pull long hair back with a pony tail holder
Day 1
Genevieve will speak about the materials that will be used in class
*glass powders
*prepping the kiln shelves
*Cricut machine and patterns
*Glass properties, very basics
*firing
*sifting glass powder for samples and over stencils
Day 2
*cleanup after each firing
*General cleanup rules
*more sifting
The firing of glass takes a few hours to complete so students will have to come back to pick up or do the clean up of their pieces.
A discussion will entail speaking about what could be done with the pieces once they are fired. Students could then schedule a time to work further on their pieces.
Please understand that these glass pieces are fragile so students should come with containers and bubble wrap or tissue paper to layer the items into to take home.
Attached are images of some types and shapes of brushes, engraving pen that can be used for class. You do not need to buy expensive brushes but please don’t purchase the cheapest brush as the bristles will fall out into your glass. These brushes will be used to clean up the siftings if needed. The engraving pen comes with some Inexpensive diamond bits. For $20 this Is a great deal!!!
You will see some Images below that are pieces made using the process you will learn.
A one hour lunch break will be taken each day. Students are asked to leave the studio during this time.
Class and material fees are non-refundable but will be applied to your class. If you have to cancel rescheduling should be done within a 3 month time frame from the date of the original class. Otherwise all monies will be forfeited. Genevieve is more than willing to discuss rescheduling due to any major illness or death in the family.
Please be aware that the studio does have resident cats. They do not stay in the classroom while in session. If you have allergies then please take your allergy medications prior to class.
CANCELLATION POLICY
As Genevieve Flynn Studio prepares in advance and expends money to do so, the class fee is non-refundable. If an extraordinary situation arises that one cannot attend such as illness, injury, family emergency etc. Genevieve Flynn Studio will discuss appropriate measures in terms of refunds.
SAFETY DISCLAIMER
Genevieve Flynn Studio is kept safe for all occupants. Compliance with all safety requirements are stressed and enforced. However, while working in and around the building, personal injury is possible. Students of Genevieve Flynn Studio agree to comply with all safety regulations set forth in this class description and agree to exercise appropriate personal safety precautions around studio equipment at all times for the safety of all persons. Students of Genevieve Flynn Studio agree to participate in this class at their own risk and that neither Genevieve Flynn Studio or Kevin Flynn, property owner, will be liable for personal injury sustained by students during class or on the Flynn property. By signing up for this workshop you, the student, agrees to abide by this disclaimer and cancellation policy.
Safety Glasses must be worn while working in the studio. If you wear prescription glasses, I recommend over the glasses style safety glasses. They can be purchased through. Home Depot, Loewes, welding supply companies, Rio Grande etc.
Equipment and tools are to be used only as prescribed and under the instructors direction/supervision
Long pants and closed shoes must be worn at all times
Long hair must be tied safely back/up
Loose clothing or jewelry is not to be worn
If you are asked to put long sleeves gloves or an apron on, it is for your protection so please do so
I highly recommend ear plugs or other hearing protection when participating in a class that has a high level of noise during participation or if you are sensitive to noises
