A Beginner's Guide to Kiln-Formed Glass: * Fused * Slumped * Cast [Hardcover]

Brenda Griffith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2007

Kiln forming glass—melting cut or crushed glass together in a kiln until it becomes a single piece and shaping the glass with molds—has quickly become one of the most popular subjects in studio glasswork. This comprehensive introduction features projects both beautiful and practical that are sure to appeal to all beginning glassworkers. It covers all of the fundamentals, such as fusing, slumping and draping, as well as some intermediate and advanced techniques, including pot melting, inclusions, mold-making and more. There’s also advice on decorative surface treatment of the finished piece, and an invaluable troubleshooting section. Nineteen exquisite projects, arranged by skill level, range from home décor items, like a wall sconce and fountain, to sculpture, and even an amber glass pendant.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lark Crafts (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579909094
• ISBN-13: 978-1579909093
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brenda Griffith began kiln forming glass in the mid 1980's in Missoula Montana. The juxtaposition of lush and stark in the landscape and the colors of the mountains, forests and sky informed her early work. In 1987 she moved to Chicago, Illinois, and launched Siyeh Studio--christened for her favorite area in Glacier Park, Montana. The Craftsman architecture that permeates the Midwest strengthened her appreciation of clean, organic lines and infused the next stage of her work with warmer, softer hues. Subsequent moves to Austin, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia have enriched her palette with the vibrant colors and the saturation of light in the south and emboldened her to experiment with color and size on a much larger scale.

Commissions & studies have also extended her media & technical range. Sandblast etching and carving, kiln casting, p'te de verre, & other kiln-forming techniques round out her repertory. Ms. Griffith's work is an eclectic mix of functional architectural glass home furnishings (sinks, backsplashes, tiles, lighting fixtures, fountains, vessels) and glass art (one-of-a-kind boxes, sculptures, window and wall panels). She is a two-time NICHE Award finalist in the category Fused Glass. Her work can be found in private collections in Europe and the US and in over 65 galleries from the US Virgin Islands to Canada. Ms. Griffith teaches, mentors and writes.

She currently resides in Atlanta with her husband, daughter, two dogs, a cat, a ferret and three fish.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

138 of 141 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Has Arrived!, November 3, 2007

By 

Wiz-at-Large (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Beginner's Guide to Kiln-Formed Glass: * Fused * Slumped * Cast (Hardcover)

I love all types of kiln-working, especially fusing and slumping. I also collect books on kiln forming glass. So I have read quite a few. One reason I collect them is because there is something missing from one that may be found in another. Or perhaps one author advocates this technique, while another may support that technique. Frequently some aspect I am looking for isn't there at all and in some cases I wasn't able to find it in any of my books.

So, imagine my surprise when I cracked open this book and found that it is wonderfully complete and beautifully illustrated! Brenda covers everything that a beginner needs to know. Frankly, I spent a couple of semesters in a college kiln forming class, and I learned things in a few minutes of scanning this book that I did not learn in class!

Just to briefly mention several, but by no means all, of the topics she has touched on in this book, you will find information on setting up a studio, types of glass, tools you'll need and how to use them. There is a fusing chart that shows the stages the glass goes through during the process. She explains the need for kiln wash and how to best apply it. How to use fiber paper, how to prepare a mold. She talks about sandblasting, glass etching, using an airbrush. She also covers common problems such as cracking, devitrification, and unwanted bubbles in the glass. It is all there. In fact, I don't really understand how she got it all in there in a book this size. For all the information it has, you would expect it to have double the pages!

And that's not nearly all. There are projects. Whoa, Mama! Talk about some astonishing projects! If this is beginner stuff, then I am less than a beginner and I have been fusing for over a year already. Projects include an Iridescent Pendant for all you jewelry fans. Also, a really nice set of wind chimes. I love the tinkle of glass wind chimes and you'll love both the sound and the look of these. There are cast Dragonfly paperweights, which are really fun. An Open Pocket Vase you can hang on the wall and display your pretty flowers in. She teaches you how to make glass lace, how to do a mesh melt and a pot melt, how to make and use pattern bars and even how to make your own table top water fountain! And that is only some of the projects she has provided. Amazing items that you would be proud to give to any of your friends or loved ones.

I can't praise this book highly enough. It is truly the best book on kiln forming glass I have seen to date. I recommend that you get a copy for your library and I guarantee you will refer to it for years to come.

There is beauty, wonder and magic in kiln forming glass and Brenda Griffith has managed to capture all three in her excellent book. You'll love it too, I am sure.

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for all levels, November 25, 2007

By 

Susan R. Masterson "Sue" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Beginner's Guide to Kiln-Formed Glass: * Fused * Slumped * Cast (Hardcover)

What I love best about this book is that it applies to all levels of fusers. It provides all the basics for getting started, but she shares the secrets of a master fuser for those of us with some experience. Including pictures of artist's works was a great strategy! She invited so many progressive exciting artists to submit their work for inclusion in the book, and I'm so glad they responded! It really provides inspiration for beginners (or experienced) to see how far they can take the art. The projects in the book are really exciting...not the rudimentary projects that are in most beginner books (for example screen melts and pot melts aren't usually found in beginner books--but the project progession makes really good sense). The book is impecably executed (writing, pictures, instructions are all right-on).

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book on kiln forming glass!, January 3, 2008

By 

Dee Janssen "Dee" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Beginner's Guide to Kiln-Formed Glass: * Fused * Slumped * Cast (Hardcover)

I'm a full time production glass artist, have been working with glass for over 6 years and I found some great tips on cutting glass as well as some inspiration for new items to work on from the various projects she included. Brenda's directions are excellent. I have trouble working from written directions but hers are clear, concise but detailed and I can follow them without a problem. For beginners, she has alot of great info on the basics, some great tips on things and excellent technical info. I am recommending this book to anyone who asks me about getting started with fusing glass.