Featured Sponsor Glass Bird Studios

Introducing Modeling Glass by Glass Bird Studios
Lois Manno developed Modeling Glass after taking 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. That’s how she got the idea for Modeling Glass.

“Renewal” was made in response to the terrible forest fires that have plagued my home state of New Mexico. The fern tendrils are made from Modeling Glass tack-fused to sheet glass and then mounted on a brushed metal panel painted with pine branches.
“Desert Springtime Mask” shows how dimensional Modeling Glass details can be. Each of the cactus plants and the rock detail was sculpted individually and then tack-fused to a flat mask shape made with sheet glass. The mask was then slumped over a ceramic form.
“Winter Woods” measures 9″ x 12″ and shows the delicate effect you can achieve with Modeling Glass. The forest and the snowy branches are made of a series of layers of Modeling Glass tack-fused onto transparent blue backed glass.

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 food-grade and nontoxic. The Starter Kit contains an instruction sheet plus 3.5 oz. of Powdered Binder and 2 oz. of Liquid Medium. Refill sizes are also available, which are each double the amount in a Starter Kit.

You can work with Modeling Glass (MG) 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. MG 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 MG shapes can be sanded, carved, and otherwise modified, virtually eliminating the need for extensive cold working after firing. It can be painted with enamels for beautiful effects. During firing, the binder and medium will burn away, and do not affect the compatibility of the glass. It can be used with either COE 90 or 96 glass, and at full-fuse temperatures, colors remain true.

An assortment of feathers made using Modeling Glass, ranging from 13″ to 15″. Each one is hand sculpted and unique, no molds are used.
This flicker measures approximately 7″ long and is 3mm thick. It was sculpted from white Modeling Glass and then was painted with Rogue Enamels before firing. Painting unfired Modeling Glass is similar to painting on watercolor paper, as it is very absorbent.

Lois has also written an eBook called Exploring Modeling Glass: The Basics and More. It can be purchased on the Modeling Glass website! 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 System 96) in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. This eBook is suitable for all levels of experience.

The cover of the eBook.
This Holiday Plate measures 10″ x 10″ and features two ornaments that were cut out of red Modeling Glass with gold mica and contour-fused onto backing glass. Note how the ornaments were also used as stencils for the powder work before they were fused in place.

Glass Bird Studios
Albuquerque, NM
www.modelingglass.com
505.459.9828
glassbirdstudios@gmail.com