 The beads are created in layers of molten glass. I melt rods of colored glass in the flame of a propane/oxygen torch. The torch is mounted to my work bench so that I have both hands free, one hand to hold the steel rod I build the beads around and the other hand to melt and apply the glass. This glass begins to melt at 1000 degrees, I work with a much hotter flame to speed up the process, and the end of the rod of glass I am working with can become as liquid as warm honey. If I keep the bead cooler by taking it in and out of the flame, under 1000 degrees, then it is frozen hard and will keep the shape I have given it. I manipulate the shape using steel and graphite tools and gravity and centrifugal force.
When the bead is how I want it, I tap it to be sure it is all the way hard and then I put it in a kiln set at 950 degrees. When I have made all of the day’s beads I set a program and the kiln will slowly bring them to room temperature over the course of five hours. The ends of the steel rods the beads were built around were first dipped in a clay slip, which crumbles with a little twisting and allows the beads to come off and leaves the hole. I then grind the residual clay out of the holes with a diamond burr, some colors are etched to create a beach glass texture, the beads are washed and then are ready to use.
While I make the beads I run an exhaust system to keep the air clean. When grinding I wear a mask, and always strive to care for my body as I spend a lot of time at the same repetitive work.
|
