A seen in Glass Patterns Quarterly |
One of
the fastest and easiest ways to improve your fused glass art and dramatically
expand your design style is to develop your glass cutting skills.
The
beauty of working with fusing is the simplicity of the medium. Many people come
to the craft with little or no glass cutting experience. But due to the ease of
fabrication and wealth of readily available information, they’re successfully
producing attractive pieces from the start.
But if
you’re now tiring of the simple cut and assemble methods that got you started
and longing to move in a more advanced direction, a small dose of technique is
the jump start you need.
It may
seem like a trivial topic to address, but your project complexity is in direct
relation to your cutting confidence. In other words, the better you cut, the
more likely you are to venture outside of your comfort zone and take on more
challenging projects.
Here
are some tips to get you started.
1 Consistent
pressure. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t take a heavy hand to make a good
score line on glass. What it takes is consistent, medium pressure from the very
beginning to the very end of the score. The glass cutter should “sing” as it
rolls over the surface of the glass. It’s a pleasant, consistent sound
beginning to end. It’s not a cringing grinding noise. A good score is visible
its entire length. But it’s not messy and littered with thin splinters. The
grinding noise and splinters are signs you’re applying way too much pressure.
Many
beginners start strong but let up the pressure as their hand moves farther away
from their body. In this case, breakage tends to occur ¾ of the way down the
score line. Beginners believe the score comes solely from the hand. A good
score comes from making your wrist, elbow and shoulder one rigid tool. This
combined strength and rigidity helps you apply consistent pressure the entire
length of the score even at an awkward distance from your body.
When
cutting an unusually long piece, I turn the glass so I can run my score right
to left instead of away from my body. This way I can move my body along with my
hand and more easily maintain the consistent pressure needed for a successful
break.
2 Cut
on the smoothest side of the glass. In some cases, I prefer the look, color or
pattern on the textured side of a sheet of glass. I turn the glass over and cut
on the smoother side and then simply turn the glass back over when I assemble
my project. The glass cutter wheel will have better, more consistent, contact
with the glass the entire length of the score if you cut on the smoothest
side.
3 Beginning
and end. Try to start your score as close to the leading edge of the glass as
possible without falling backward off the glass. Apply consistent, medium
pressure from the very start. End the score as close to the far edge as
possible without falling off the glass. Repeatedly falling off the glass edge
will damage the cutter wheel and could possibly cause the glass to
shatter.
4 Use
the right tool for the job. Use a strip cutter or circle cutter when
applicable. Accuracy is key for professional quality artwork. These tools give
your work consistency. Plus, they save material by reducing waste and breakage.
When
cutting strips, I cut a few more than I need and select the best, straightest
strips for my project. The extra pieces find their way into smaller projects,
pot melts or free flows. Nothing goes to waste.
Whenever
possible, I opt to use running pliers over grozing or breaking pliers to break
glass away from a sheet. Running pliers give the most reliable results. They
work best if the glass being removed is at least as wide as the rubber tipped
plier jaw. When breaking narrow or small curved pieces away, I choose grozing
plies because the narrow jaw fits in tight places and allows me to get close to
the score line.
5
Don’t hesitate to cut around a paper pattern to include an intricate shape in
your work. This is a terrific way to transition away from strictly geometric
designs and into pieces with lively organic elements.
Glass
wants to break in a straight line. To cut rounded shapes, we make a series or
gradual curves and break the excess glass away in steps until we have a glass
shape that closely resembles our pattern.
When
cutting around a paper pattern piece, cut as close to the paper as possible without
running into it. Beginners tend to cut a wide safety halo around the paper. It
just postpones the inevitable. Be brave. Go for it. If the glass is going to
break unfavorably the halo, no matter how heavenly, won’t prevent it.
Something
to build on.
The
more time and effort you put into each step makes the next step easier and the
finished product than much better. Don’t rush a project just to get it in the
kiln. Give it the time it needs and produce your best work, every time. If you
have to ask, “Is this good enough,” it probably isn’t. Do yourself a favor.
Re-do that piece or step. You can thank me later when you’re doing the, my piece came out awesome, happy dance.
Go ahead. Cut it
up!
Lisa
Vegas BABY!
Glass Craft and Bead Expo
March 29 – April 2, 2017
Las Vegas, Nevada
Join
me in Vegas! It’s no gamble. You’ll have a great time!
There’s
still room in these two classes!
Class: TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL – ADVANCED
FUSING TECHNIQUES
Class#: SA-22
Class#: SA-22
Class: FUSING ART DESIGN!
Class#: SU-01
Class#: SU-01
Announcing
New Upcoming Workshops and Webinars
Advanced Glass Fusing Workshop
May 2-5, 2017
4-Days, Hands-on,
Wesley
Chapel, Florida
Push
the boundaries art glass imposes. Explore innovative approaches to design and
combine multiple advanced techniques to construct original art that reflects
your own personal style. Enjoy: the one-on-one instruction, making large scale
projects, the well-equipped classroom, and the intimate class size.
Inspiration!
Knowledge! Confidence! Get the tools you need to create exceptional glass art
here. You’ll love the concentrated, in-depth study and creative momentum you’ll
gain while actively producing, nonstop for four consecutive days.
Creative Slumping Webinar
May 9, 2017
Meet me in West Palm Beach!
Glass Quest 2017
May 26, 27 & 28, 2017
West Palm Beach,
Florida
For more info http://www.mcmow.com/glass-quest-2017/
A
weekend of education, inspiration and engagement for glass enthusiasts of all
types. Incredible networking opportunities, as well as overall engagement in
the evolving world of art glass education & advocacy! Meet & partner
with other glass artists as we push the boundaries of Glass as a Contemporary
Art Form!
Texas Here I Come!
Breaking Through-Making Exhibition Quality Art
Hollander Glass Inc. – Texas
June 9, 10 & 11, 2017
3-day, Hands-on Workshop
Register here http://www.hollanderfusingcenter.com/chptr-houston.php
Join me in this comprehensive
workshop focused on making exhibition
quality artwork and you’ll learn how
to take your thriving glass talent and catapult it forward. Through lecture,
demonstration and hands-on exercises, Lisa will show you how to accelerate your
creative vision. Students will learn how to design thoughtful compositions, how
to mix colors to create drama, how to get noticed with pattern, how to
stimulate with texture, and how to combine abstract techniques for innovative
works of fused glass art.
Upscale Fusing Webinar
July 25, 2017
Advanced Glass Fusing Workshop
September 26-29, 2017
4-Days, Hands-on,
Wesley Chapel, Florida
You’ll
love the concentrated, in-depth study and creative momentum you’ll gain while
actively producing, nonstop for four consecutive days.
Push
the boundaries art glass imposes. Explore innovative approaches to design and
combine multiple advanced techniques to construct original art that reflects
your own personal style. Enjoy: the one-on-one instruction, making large scale
projects, the well-equipped classroom, and the intimate class size.
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