Growing Green Bowl

This bowl is food safe and a perfect size for meals, snacks and more.  Its also a beautiful bowl to display when not using. 

This bowl was made by cutting  2 glass circles - white and clear.  the white is the base glass and the clear is on top.  Pattern bars of various shades of green were made. See below for an explanation of a pattern bar.  glass strips of green were formed into squiggles.  The pattern bars and squiggles were arranged in a design on top of the 2 circles and then fired in the kiln to a full fuse that makes it smooth and food safe.   The final step was to form into the shape of a bowl. 

Dimensions:  8" diameter

Acrylic display stand is included.

Making Pattern Bars

It takes several steps and kiln firing along with coldwork to make the pattern bars used to make this abstract art. 

1. My goal is to create organic flow of colors and patterns, so I start with my color choices and cut the glass to various sizes.
2. The glass is stacked in a predesigned order on top of steel rods that are above a stainless steel form, in this case, an obtuse triangle shape.
3. I use a specific kiln fusing schedule to melt the glass, avoid bubbles and get an organic flow.  As the temperature in the kiln rises above 1500 degrees the glass will begin to melt and flow organically and fully flow through the rods at 1680 degrees Farenheit. It flows into the former which contains it and it gets very thick. 
4. After annealing, the pattern bar is thick and long.  I first grind all the edges smooth on a lap grinder.  The hot temperatores and containment against the fiber paper lining the former cause the edges to be rough. 
5. Then I slice the pattern bar with a tile saw. By keeping the slices in order, I can match up the slices into patterns. After slicing I study the patterns and shapes and determine how I want to incorporate them into art.
6. Once I have decided on a design, I cut any additional glass required and assemble in the kiln for the next firing that fuses the pattern bars together.