"The Art of Glass"
I have always loved glass of all forms and dabbled with enameling, stained glass and mosaics but it was when I discovered fused glass I knew
that I had found my calling! I am inspired by nature, I love the colours of water, especially around the harbour in Howth, North County Dublin and more recently as I live in the city centre
the Phoenix Park in the heart of the city and these colours and impressions can be found in my work. I am also inspired by imagination and abstract shapes creating pieces that speak individually you. Glass Fusion is the art of "melting glass on glass". I use specially treated glass of many colours. It comes in sheets of glass, jars of broken down shards, powdered and thin strips (noodles). For example to make a piece dipicting a forrest scene I cut the glass and add the colours, using the various types of glass - greens, brown shards and powered glass, black strips, to create the impression, I then put it in the kiln and bring it up to fusing temperatures which is 1600 ' F always keeping an eye on it. It takes between 2 - 4/5 hours to fuse and when its "red hot" you know its done. It then takes another 8 hours to cool down. When this is done I file off all the rough edges and if it is a piece of art I send to my framer and for jewellery I drill the pendant to add the mount and chain and for earrings and rings I attach the posts and ring base which takes another 14 hours to set.
