Customer Reviews

Contemporary Warm Glass: A Guide to Fusing, Slumping & Kiln-Forming Techniques

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own a stack of glass kiln-working books (including all of Lundstrom's). Many of them are very good.

None, though, can touch Walker's book for easy-to-follow, comprehensive coverage of this topic. All the basics are covered with clear step-by-step instructions and just enough science and background to make it all make sense.

If you're thinking about getting into warm glass work then start here.

I found this book to be very informative and easy to read. It had lots of useful information, complete lists of supplies, and detailed firing schedules (for both Bullseye 90 and Spectrum 96 ). It tells you everything you need to know (and what to buy) to start you on the road to fusing bliss.

The Table of Contents lists chapters on: *Glass Types and Forms (goes into COE and glass compatibility); *Supplies and Equipment; *Preparing the Kiln for Firing; *Keeping a Firing Log; *The Basis Fusing and Slumping Process; *Molds for Slumping; *Troubleshooting; *Fusing and Slumping Techniques; *Glass Polishing; *Finishing for Display; *Compatibility Testing; *More about Annealing; *Kiln Casting; *Glass Painting; *Making Your Own (devit spray, kiln wash, iridescent glass, frit, stringers); and *Master Firing Schedules

My only complaint about this book is its poor editing. The proofreader must have been asleep at the computer when he/she reviewed the content and page layout of this book. There are lots of typos, misused words, forgotten punctuation (missing periods at the end of sentences), and most disturbing of all UNFINISHED sentences. On several pages the last sentence on one page is not completed on the next page. For example, page 57 ends with the partial sentence "If you plan to use", and page 58 begins with the sentence "Some people use the spray for every slump firing." I never could figure out what the author "Planed for me to use" on page 57.

The typos were annoying, but not enough to distract for the content. So 5 stars for the writer, -5 stars for the editor.

Brad Walker's book is great for beginner fusers with its fine sampling of projects to test new skills. Those who have been fusing for a while should welcome it, too, since it's the only new work on the subject for several years. Walker's book has valuable information, such as a summary of annealing points and strain points for various art glass makers, which reflect a depth of research that should be valuable to fusers on the intermediate and professional levels--but many may never discover these gems of information, since the book appears to be written for beginning fusers. It would have been good to see a few more challenging projects for those with a bit of fusing experience. Further, the cost of this book is surprisingly high when compared to other recent books such as Lucartha Kohler's "Glass: An Artist's Medium," which is hardcover and much more richly illustrated.

Brad's book was the first one from lot's of glass books I've bought in the last 3 years. The first and the most important one.
I've learned so much from it - and I still do!!
I've never had a course on warmglass but Brad's book was and still is my teacher.
It covers the subject from the beginning, but it is not only a beginners book, cause it goes beyond - every time you come back to it's pages you will see a different facet of the problem.
If you love glass, you will love Brad's book!!

This is the book I reach for again and again--a must-have for anyone seriously considering working with kiln-formed glass. I have two copies: one on my nightstand that I refer to when I'm reviewing my day's glass working questions, and the yellow-highlighted copy in my studio that I use as my how-to guide while I'm actually working. I have several reference and idea books, but this is by far the one I consider my most used and most useful.

Excellent glass fusing book. The best book for beginners. Much better than Gil Reynolds fusing book. Better organization, more useful information, better written, better practice projects, better photos, etc. My only gripe, for the money, it is an expensive book, it should have been produced with a hard cover. Not only because of the cost of the book, you will constantly use this book for a reference. Even if you are very experienced in glass fusing. AN ABSOLUTE MUST PURCHASE FOR ALL GLASS FUSERS.

I bought Brad Walker's book and the book by Beveridge [...]. I got them at the same time and started reading the Beveridge book first. I did manage to get through the book, but it took several re-reads of certain parts for me to grasp the concept of what she was talking about. For the beginning fuser, I found the information a bit too technical. I have been using Brad Walker's book as my fusing bible ever since. It is easy to understand, a thorough guide to fusing and well written. Admittedly there are a few typos in the copy, but it can be easily overlooked. Without having taken any formal classes in fusing, I was able to learn how to fuse with Mr. Walker's book. With the additional resource of his website, much more information can be gleaned. I continually go back to Mr. Walker's book for confirmation, troubleshooting, and ideas. It is a great resource and well worth the price.

Although Brad's book has been out for a while, it is still considered one of the best on the market. It can take the beginner to such high levels of skill by just using one or more of the tutorials. www.warmglass.com is the companian website, and almost any question can be searched in the archives, or posted new and answered by people who really want to help.

I think most of us that own this book are looking forward to a sequel with even more detail.

I have not ever felt the need to own another book on Warm Glass since purchasing this one!

If I could only have and read one book on fusing,this would probably be the one. It's more encyclopedic in layout than the other books on fusing that I've read, and covers a number of subtopics.

But I can, and do, have other books, and in fact I can buy TWO other very good books on fusing for somewhat less than the price of this one. I've been through this book thoroughly and see no justification for such a high price. I also agree that the proofreading was not very good. This is distracting, and I noticed a couple of paragraphs that are so poorly written that they really don't make any sense.

My advice for someone considering this book is to have a look, if possible, at what they're getting for the money before buying.

Extremely informative and easy to understand. As a novice glass worker the information was invaluable. In addition to having all of my questions answered, I learned that there is so much more to working with glass. As a result, I'm moving forward into a realm I didn't know existed. I've enjoyed pursuing other resources provided to the reader. This is a very user friendly book and I would recommend it to anyone having and interest in glass.