The kiln-forming classes at Three Dimensional Visions are strong on theory to help build an understanding of what is happening to the glass as it transforms in the kiln.  They are supported by examples and by demonstrations in both the warm glass and hot glass studio.  The hot glass demos are illustrative of concepts being learned about glass.

Ever wonder what the difference is between kiln-forming and warm glass? Between fusing and kiln casting? What temperatures do these all take place in? Take the Foundations of Kiln-Forming at Three Dimensional Visions and find out!

Safety:  Please bring your own personal safety gear (N95 mask), safety glasses, or prescription eyeglasses  (We can allow the use of ours if necessary.)
Food:  Bring your own as desired.
Materials: Sketchbook/notebook & writing utensil
Supplies:  Included
Classes and project workshops are limited to a total of 6 attendees.

Participants will make at least four projects in Kiln-Forming I, at least four different elements to create visual textures in Kiln-Forming II.  In the third workshop, participants will demonstrate their learnings by designing two to four pieces with the parts they have made. 

We use COE 96, so if you have experience kiln-forming and want to bring your own design elements or favorite glass to Kiln-Forming III please make sure it is COE96.

Most kiln firing will be completed post-class due to limited kiln space.  Firing schedules are included. Your final pieces will not be available until one week post-class time.  Shipping is available at your expense.

I.  Foundations in Kiln-Forming Class

Learn the basics of working safely with glass in the warm glass studio. – an introduction to fusing, slumping, and kiln casting, as well as cold working. 
What is kiln forming?  What is a warm glass studio? What is slumping?  What is kiln casting?
Why?  Being creative is fun.  It relieves the tension of your everyday life.  Every one of us can do it.  Foundation is important.  My Dad wore a large size shoe, and he always told me a church needs a good foundation.  I think that applies to everything in life.  If we learn the basics, then we can progressively build on them.

II. Creating Tactile & Visual Textures in Kiln-Forming Class

What do you want to make?  What do you want it to look like?  What parts do you need?  Do you want to create actual physical texture or just visual texture?  This is all about making design elements for your pieces.  Learn how to create tactile and visual textures for your glass forms. 

As a geologist, I love making strata and deforming them.  One of the ways to do that is in pattern bars (Reflections on Glass, Cross-Over Series & Studio Life – Shape Shifters).  Raised dots can mimic lots of things in nature.  Screen or pot melts allow the glass to flow from one level to another, just like magma from a volcano.

Stringers or noodles can be purchased online or from your local glass store.  They can also be made in the hot shop or in a warm glass studio using a vitrograph.  Murrini can be made in molds in the warm glass studio or in the hot shop – we might have a demo showing this in action!  We can change the orientation of strips we put in a piece by getting it hot and combing it in the warm glass studio or raking it in the hot shop. There are lots of things to learn, observe, and experiment with.

III. Let Your Creativity Flow – Putting it all Together Kiln-Forming Class

Combine what you have learned in our Foundations, Creating Tactile & Visual Textures, and perhaps even Experimenting with Kiln-forming Projects to design and make new pieces with the parts you have created.  Bring your favorite parts to form two stunning pieces, which will be fused and/or slumped as needed.  You can spend your time creating a new part or parts to complete the set you already have. This is also an opportunity to cold work any parts that might need a little extra love to shape or polish them.   Perhaps you will work with stencil and powder if you haven’t done that yet to create another part.