The Process of Casting Glass

What I enjoy most about glass casting is the variety of tasks and skills required to finish a piece. Drawing, sculpting, mathematics, a steady hand, and a complete thought process are needed to craft a piece.

The complete lost-wax casting process:

• Create a wax model

• Hand-build a kiln mould from plaster and silica around the wax model

• Steam the wax from the kiln mould

• Weigh and clean the lead crystal and pack into a terracotta pot

• Place the mould in the kiln with the terracotta pot positioned above it

• Set the kiln controller to desired firing schedule, a minimum of one week

• Unpack the kiln and discard the terracotta pot

• Remove the mould from the freshly cast glass

• Cut the base off the glass with a diamond saw

• Grind the base by hand-lapping with four varying grades of grit

• Soak glass in polish dip for 8 hours

• Polish flat areas, base or sides, with cerium oxide

• Engrave signature and artwork code on the base

• Photograph and catalogue the finished cast glass artwork

Light is the final collaborator in every sculpture. The cast glass artworks I create change with the day, inviting quiet reflection on connection, memory and place.