The Glass Tapestry of
David Alcala
By Gil Reynolds

It's not easy to turn the tables on established art techniques, but sometimes 90 degrees can make a big difference. Consider the work of David Acala. Instead of working his designs flat on a table, he works with his art turned 90 degrees onto its edge to create some of the most unique landscapes ever made with fused glass. Having spent many years creating artwork out of colored sand, he started to see the potential in working with crushed glass frit.

His art shows a mastery over the vertical assembly approach to constructing a glass piece. Gravity plays a part in the design process. Mounds of glass frit tend to form 45-degree angles as gravity pulls the partials downward. In geologic terms this is called the 'angle of repose'. This can be a limiting factor or a blessing depending upon your point of view, but is appropriate that he chooses to portray landscape forms...

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Float Glass
By Gil Reynolds



One of the most popular types of glass used by kiln workers worldwide is clear float or window glass. It is readily available in every country and is fairly inexpensive.

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Its smooth surface makes it easy to cut and its large size and variety of thickness make it well suited for everything from jewelry and bowls to architectural installations. However, float glass is harder than most art glass and is not compatible with many of the colored glass elements. Just the same there are many ways to add color, textures and imagery to a piece of clear float glass using compatible metal inclusions, enamels, mica and ceramic fibers. Here then is a little information about float glass and some of the exciting ways it can be used in the kiln.

Glass Odyssey Blog
John Waterman and Frito



Glass blower John Waterman has spent the last year traveling around the US interviewing and video-taping over 100 glass artists from all walks of life. The most ampbitious and democratic documentation of contemporary art glass ever attempted, his blog is insightful, educational and downright entertaining. Don't miss the next installment.


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Coming Soon
Lost Wax Casting
Pamela Ebert

As a graduate of the art glass program at Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.), Pamela has extensive experience with glass casting techniques. The "Amber Dragon" is the result of a multi-step mold making and glass casting process. Her article will cover making a clay master mold, casting a flexible rubber negative mold, pouring a wax positive and the rest of the steps she followed while making this stunning glass dragon using the Lost Wax process.