Glass Casting Process

I use a combination of 'cire perdue' and 'pate de verre techniques to realize my work in cast crystal. The original is carved in clay or wax and a rubber mold is made to replicate the sculpture in wax. A refractory firing mold is formed around the wax, the wax is melted out of the mold and the mold is cooled. Glass frits and powders are placed in the mold or crucible above the mold, then fired in a kiln to melt and fuse the glass particles together. After annealing and cooling the mold is carefully removed. The finishing process involves removing imperfections, polishing, and acid etching. Each piece emerges one of a kind, born from raw materials and the alchemy of fire.

Terminology

• 'Cire perdue' ('lost wax casting) - This process involves melting glass frit to join particles in a seamless way. The transparency depends on the glass composition and how long the glass is kept at different temperatures.

• 'Pate de Verre' (paste of glass) - This process involves mixing glass powders and frits with a binder and pressing the paste into the mold with tools. The transparency depends on the size and color composition of the frits. The glass is typically held at fuse temperatures for a very short time to create a sugary effect.

• Crystal sources - NZ Gaffer, Reichenbach, Lenox