Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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).

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.

Brenda Griffith's book represents a state-of-the-art, common-sense approach to working with kiln-formed glass. Beginning with the basics, the author takes readers through materials; tools; supplies; studio setup and safety; and, techniques. Readers can then work through various projects to gain additional practice and greater understanding..
As an educator, I was impressed with the author's writing "voice." She does not preach nor talk down to her readers - she shares information with them, resulting in a high comfort level from her readers. The "Gallery Contributors" provide a means for stimulating ideas that go beyond the projects. The net result is marvelous.
I work in a studio shared by artists at various levels of proficiency. A friend and I bought three of Brenda's books at the One of a Kind Sale in Chicago and took them into the studio to share with others. (I didn't even see my copy for two weeks because it was "on loan.") A few days later, one of my colleagues came rushing into the studio, calling out, "I just got the best book out on working with kiln-formed glass! It's just super!" And, indeed it is.
The book has become a bible to the artists learning to work with kiln-formed glass. It's not uncommon to hear things like, "Well, you should have known you couldn't fire it a third time - it's in the book!" Or, "Think about kiln-finishing that piece instead of wasting all that time grinding - the directions are in the book." And, "If you'd followed the schedule in the book for increasing the temperature in the kiln, the glass wouldn't have cracked!"
Every once in a while a book is published that delivers what it promises. Brenda Griffith's book does just that and whose of us who work with kiln-formed glass are all the better. I can't wait to see what she follows it up with.

I'm not a beginner I've been fusing glass for a few years now and found this book to be full of helpful information and interesting projects. There's plenty of eye candy and there's plenty of good instruction also.

I am really enjoying this book

Here is a book well worth it's affordable price tag. Cover to cover, 128 pages of ideas and information. Designed to be useful for both beginners and those interested in exploring some more challenging and varied techniques in the world of fused glass. Page after page of well photographed examples to guide the reader, and beautiful glass artwork to tantilize and inspire.


Chapters include basics like materials, tools, supplies, skills like straight and curved glass cutting, and basic information on slumping, draping, fusing, and polishing. The author covers mold preparation, polishing, sandblasting, etching, and drilling.


There is a useful troubleshooting guide for the more common things that go wrong with your fused glass work, and suggestions for fixing those when possible.


The projects included in the book are varied and visually interesting. They range from simple pate de verre or draping to more complex work like creating and using bars or making various types of melt fusings. All the projects are artistically beautiful, and most of them are also functional.


The directions and fusing schedules are clearly outlined and easy to understand.


Brenda Griffith is a talented artist who has taken her time, experience, and considerable thought to put out a well written book at an affordable price for both beginners and those who are looking to add to their fusing skills and knowledge.


At the retail price of $24.95, it is worth adding to your fusing library.

This is a very well done book. It has a lot of the basics which even though I have been fusing for over a year, I still learned more from it.The projects are all very different and will encourage people to try something new. The fusing and slumping schedules were also particularly beneficial and since starting to use them, I have seen an improvement in the quality of my work.

Too much of the literature and books on glass fusing is not practical or accessible. This books fills the gap and provides a wide range of projects -- both simple and challenging -- to help others masters the complex and simple tasks associated with glass fusing.

I'm new to glass casting (although I've been working with clay for about 10 years) and of all the books I've read on glass, this one is the most accessible for me in terms of the process. I'm not big on someone else's projects but think the ones presented here give enough information to adapt them to one's own design. Great book for any glass artist's library (my friend who's been doing glass for a long time also bought the book, saying she finds it quite excellent.)

I can only say that after 10 years of doing fused
glass, I learned a great deal from this really
incredible book. The photos, the art of others
and the explanations and designs are all remarkable
Any level of fuser will enjoy this!