Featured Sponsor: Glass Bird Studios
Have you tried Modeling Glass by Glass Bird Studios?
Ten years ago, artist Lois Manno took a workshop at Bullseye Glass to learn how to make images with powdered glass. She loved the method but didn’t like all that wasted powder, and decided to try and figure out how to turn the powder into something she could sculpt with more control and less waste: Modeling Glass is the result.
Lois with a 36” long feather that was a commission. Before firing the feather was 42” long (to allow for 15% shrinkage).
The Modeling Glass Starter Kit is a unique two-part kit consisting of a Powdered Binder and Liquid Medium that artists combine with water and their own powdered glass or fine frit. The resulting material has the consistency of clay and is smooth and easy to work with. It won’t stick to your hands or tools. The binder and liquid medium are nontoxic and burn off safely during firing. They do not affect the compatibility of the glass. The Starter Kit contains an instruction sheet plus 3.5 oz. of Powdered Binder and 2 oz. of Liquid Medium. Each kit makes over 3 pounds of Modeling Glass. Refill sizes are available, which are double the amount in a Starter Kit.
“Some Small Residue of Beauty” sculpture made from Modeling Glass. All sticks, leaves, and stones are glass. The “snow” is fine frit.
The mask above, “Garden Magic”, was made using the precut mask blank, various silicone molds, and the mask draping form all available in the online shop.
You can work with Modeling Glass in many of the same ways you would work with clay: roll into coils, roll into a flat sheet and cut out shapes, or press into silicone molds. It holds its shape without freezing. When fired to tack fuse temperatures it will hold an amazing amount of textural detail. It can be thinned with water and used to create beautiful palette-knife textures. Combine colors to make your own blends. Before firing, dry Modeling Glass shapes can be sanded, carved, and otherwise modified, virtually eliminating extensive cold working after firing. You can paint on Modeling Glass with enamels for beautiful effects. It can be used with either COE 90 or 96 glass, and at full-fuse temperatures, colors remain true.
Lois’ book Exploring Modeling Glass The Basics and More will help you get started. The book contains 81 pages of clear, step-by-step instructions and 160 photos. Featuring seven complete projects, you will learn the basic techniques for mixing, sculpting, and combining Modeling Glass with enamels. The book includes project templates and all firing schedules (designed to work with both Bullseye and non-Bullseye glass) in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. This eBook is suitable for all levels of experience
Check out these and other products at https://www.modelingglass.com/
CHIRPY (The Glass Bird): This 22-year-old cantankerous geriatric cockatiel has been with Lois’ family since he was about 3 months old. As the inspiration for Glass Bird Studios, Chirpy is in the middle of almost everything that goes on in the studio. He samples the flavor of packaging, inspects cardboard boxes, tries to walk across frit powders, gets underfoot, sings during video shoots, and generally insinuates himself wherever he is least wanted.
Lois has generously donated several Modeling Glass starter kits to the Vendor Fair drawings. Be sure to attend the Vendor Fair September 21st, 2 pm to 6 pm in Wilsonville, Oregon (about 20 miles south of Portland). Maybe you’ll win some Modeling Glass!
Only current PNW Glass Guild members can enter the drawings so log in and check your membership renewal date now.