MoltenWolf Glass is where artistic individuals gather.
Reaction Jewelry
Last month, I attended Meet the Artist night, presented by the owner, Jeff Wolf. The presentation of this particular night was Reaction Jewelry, which is the chemical reaction between different types of glass and how to make jewelry out of it. Knowing how glass jewelry is created is quite interesting and a much longer process than I thought!
Chemical Reactions
As you may know, glass comes from sand but did you know that each glass color is a different chemical? That is something I have never considered before! Copper, sulfur, and lead are the most common chemicals. These three chemicals react under heat and can be controlled by adjusting the kiln’s temperature. Of course, not every color reacts, so if the artist wants a reaction that leaves a black, soot-like border, they must use colors that react together. Planning is vital when deciding which type of glass and color to use in a project.
Melting and Breaking Glass
Because of the chemical reaction and how glass melts, the artist has to consider many things when starting a project. If the glass is thin, it will actually pool together and come up to 6mm. When melted, glass spreads and wants to become a specific thickness. Even if eight layers at 3mm per sheet are used, the glass will still push down and spill over to become 6mm! I guess you could say that the glass knows what it wants!
During the first melting process, the kiln heats up to 1475F (850C). The entire heating process takes about 26 hours, from heating the kiln to cooling down. After that, the temperature is lowered to a specific temperature and then to room temperature. The artist must be patient because peeking into the kiln is not allowed.
In order to see the stripes of the layers and chemical reactions that took place, the artist needs to break the glass. Once the pieces of glass are broken, the lines created with the layers and chemical reactions are visible.
Remelting the glass
Once the layers and stripes have been created, the artist arranges the pieces in a mold and melts them for a second time to create a single sheet. After the glass is cooled down to room temperature, the artist can see the stripes of layers and reactions.
Cutting the glass.
When the artist finally achieves the desired look, they can draw the design on the glass and start cutting. After the desired shape is drawn, chapstick is applied so the line won’t disappear. After the glass has been cut, holes are drilled for the jewelry chain. Water is used for the cutting and drilling process, so the glass does not shatter.
Softening the edges and making the jewelry.
The next step is to soften the edges. The glass is put back into the kiln for a third time and heated up just enough to start melting the edges. The kiln heats up to about 1400F for only 5 minutes. The artist also needs to ensure the holes are not filled back up. Fiber rope is used to keep the holes intact. Once the pieces have cooled, chains are added to the jewelry. Of course, since softening of the edges needs to happen for multiple pieces, it is common for the kiln to be shared with other projects.
Making glass jewelry, or any piece for that matter is time-consuming. There are many steps involved, and I’m sure the artists are always crossing their fingers that their vision comes to life. Of course, there are some times that it doesn’t. If an oopsie happens, the glass will go back into a scrap container and will be used for a later project.
The next Meet the Artist night is this Friday!
The August Meet the Artist night features Joel Muzo. The presentation will take place on Friday, August 19th, from 7–9 PM. Joel has been working on a secret project and will reveal it to the public in a double presentation with Papiamentu and English. Joel will present from 7:30–8 PM in Papiamento and 8-8:30 PM in English. Are you visiting Bonaire this year? Check out the calendar of events for upcoming presentations.
(Source: MoltenWolf Glass)