Flash Challenge

Someone at the October General meeting asked for a Play Day for kiln-created flashed glass. As was explained at the General Meeting flashed glass is something generally created by glass blowers. It is usually clear or white with a thin layer (“flash”) of colored glass on one side. Fremont Antique Glass Company still makes flashed glass: gather clear or one color, apply a coat of another color, blow a large cylinder, chop the ends off, cut it open and slump it flat. Fused glass artists can “flash” colored powder on a sheet of clear in their kiln for a similar effect.

Sheets of flashed glass were used in pre-plastic times for signage by etching or sandblasting off the color in the shape of the lettering or logo desired. In vases and bottles it can be carved to show clear designs. Glass artists like Peter McGrain continue to sandblast and etch flashed sheets to create subtle effects.

Peter McGrain’s Shrimpers

The pieces of traditional flashed glass Peter McGrain sandblasted and stacked to make the bottom section of his “Shrimpers” window.