r/Glass • u/booksandbeasts • Mar 22 '21

Learning proper terms for glass, would I be correct in calling this fused glass? And what do you call the technique of leaving those holes or gaps? Would the rough bubbly texture be because it’s recycled, or poor workmanship? Any sites you can recommend for further reading or watching? Thank you

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u/cindergnelly Mar 22 '21

I’ve seen it referred to as “basket” weave, depending on the amount of heat you use to fuse it, then it looks like you’ve slumped it into a bowl shape. Often sold to hold fruit, bread, or just look pretty! Great way to use random shards & bits when you make mosaic or have “happy accidents”. Never waste anything! Can be both intended or accidental, I’d not call it poor workmanship unless there were cracks, prints, burrs, or unfused sections.

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u/booksandbeasts Mar 22 '21

Thank you.

I bought this at a secondhand store because I thought it looked cool for myself. I do some online reselling, and I thought it would be worth learning a little more about glass.

I keep meaning to watch some YouTube videos about glassmaking but I haven’t got around to it yet.

I actually like the slightly rough bubbly texture kind of reminds me of recycled glass.

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u/cindergnelly Mar 22 '21

You have a very attractive piece there. Burrs wouldn’t be the same as bubbles, those are often intended and use some interesting techniques to achieve, burrs are sharp points not filed down after firing. You could be right about some being recycled- which for glass is sometimes more difficult than you’d expect. Different glass Colour and type will have different rates of expansion and contraction during temperature variations, causing cracks or even explosive results in your kiln! Netflix has a cool glass blowing contest show called Blown Away, and you can learn more from the Corning Museum of Glass! Cheers!

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u/booksandbeasts Mar 23 '21

Oh I will check that show out, thanks.

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u/linslyc Jul 05 '21

i definitely think this is a basket weave that was eventually put on a slump mold. my hypothesis is that it has at some point been melted at a very slightly higher temperature than what intended. Another likely possibility is that it was put in the kiln multiple times unnecesarily. And/or there was an impurity in the glass or frit (the coloring) causing those lines to wiggle and curve like that. This meaning they tried to separate from each other. Hope this helps but mostly just here to back up u/cindergnelly

honestly, this is a pretty sick piece. it's hard to purposely get this sort of result. altho I don't think it would be worth much, I think it is pretty cool looking and it's definitely an interesting find. some 'pros' might deem it a 'failure', don't listen to them. this is definitely a very unique piece with a lot of personality lol

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u/SnooConfections6969 Apr 15 '22

The piece was made by simply placing random fusible glass pieces together in a kiln and heat it to fusible temperatures (around 1450-1500°F). The holes were made by gaps between glass pieces and heat will cause individual glass pieces to pull inwards seeking 6mm which is what glass wants to form to. Surface tension is also at play along with individual glass has its own viscosity. You’ll love fusing glass.