Glass-working Techniques
I use four main methods for working the surface of the glass-
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abrading, or altering the surface texture of the glass,
using a diamond wheel, or an abrasive-loaded copper wheel, or by
sandblasting; in these cases, the normally smooth surface of the
glass is broken up, and its texture altered, according to the
particular technique used.
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etching, which is a chemical method of breaking up the surface
texture of the glass. Different effects may be obtained by using,
for example, hydrofluoric acid in liquid form, or potassium hydrogen
difluoride, which gives a softer "bite". The degree of etch
may be controlled by the strength of the etching agent, or the length
of time for which it is left.
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using colour in the glass, either by using purchased coloured
glass as a basis, or by painting the glass with pigment, or stain,
which is subsequently kiln-fired to incorporate the colour into
the glass.
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slumping the glass: heating a piece of glass in the kiln
over a mould, until the glass softens and takes on the shape of the
mould. Since the glass never melts, surface texture and colour are
retained to a greater or lesser extent.
Page last updated 20 February 2006