When I first started being interested in glass, I bought several books, subscribed to magazines AND hit the thesaurus / dictionary button on my computer. It became very clear very fast that one needed first to get to know glass properly before attempting to start working with it.
One of the great producers of art glass is Spectrum and they have extensive knowledge of not only the different types of glass but also the background, technique how these particular glass varieties came into being and application.
ANTIQUE
Term applied to art glass produced by the historical mouth-blown cylinder method. The craftsman blows a glass cylinder which is annealed and cooled. The cylinder is then scored lengthwise, separated, re-heated and folded out into a flat sheet. Common characteristics include attractive linear striations and a very pristine surface.
Term applied to art glass produced by the historical mouth-blown cylinder method. The craftsman blows a glass cylinder which is annealed and cooled. The cylinder is then scored lengthwise, separated, re-heated and folded out into a flat sheet. Common characteristics include attractive linear striations and a very pristine surface.
BEVEL
Cold glass (usually clear, thick plate) with edges that have been ground and polished to an angle other than 90 degrees. Transmitted light is refracted and a prism-like effect results. Bevels are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and geometric configurations (called "clusters") for incorporation into leaded glass work, as this example shows of Shengda Glassware Products.
Cold glass (usually clear, thick plate) with edges that have been ground and polished to an angle other than 90 degrees. Transmitted light is refracted and a prism-like effect results. Bevels are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and geometric configurations (called "clusters") for incorporation into leaded glass work, as this example shows of Shengda Glassware Products.
A glass ingot, similar to a dalle, used in glass casting.
CATHEDRAL GLASS
Describes transparent glass that is monochromatic -- i.e., single color sheet glass, with smooth or textured surfaces.
CATSPAW
A surface texture resulting from the chilling of hot glass on a cool table. The appearance is likened to the paw prints of a cat.
CONFETTI
Paper-thin elements of glass that can be incorporated into a fused or blown glass design. Also called "shards."
CRACKLE
The hot cylinder of glass is dipped in liquid, causing radical, random fissures in the glass. The cylinder is then reheated and further blown to heal the surface fissures.
DICHROIC
Commonly used term to describe glasses that have been coated with one or more ultra-thin crystalline layers of transparent metal oxides designed to enhance reflections at specific wavelengths of light. The process occurs in a vacuum chamber at elevated temperatures. The resulting effects are striking and brilliant color reflections at varying angles of incidence.
FLASHED
Glass of one color with a very thin layer of another color on one side. Flashed glass is often used for etched or sandblasted glass art. When sections of the thin color layer are removed, the base color shows through.
Commonly used term to describe glasses that have been coated with one or more ultra-thin crystalline layers of transparent metal oxides designed to enhance reflections at specific wavelengths of light. The process occurs in a vacuum chamber at elevated temperatures. The resulting effects are striking and brilliant color reflections at varying angles of incidence.
FLASHED
Glass of one color with a very thin layer of another color on one side. Flashed glass is often used for etched or sandblasted glass art. When sections of the thin color layer are removed, the base color shows through.
FRIT
Ground glass, ranging in particle size from gravel-like to a fine powder. Frit is sometimes used as a raw material in glass manufacture, and sometimes as a coloring agent or for decorative effect in hot glass crafts like blowing and fusing.
IRIDESCENT
Surface treatment in which a layer of metallic oxide is bonded to the hot glass surface just after sheet-forming, resulting in a colorful, shimmering effect.
MILLEFIORI
Italian for "a thousand flowers." Commonly refers to glass objects made from masses of murrini slices, sliced from a cane.
CANE Glass cylinder consisting of groups of rods of different colors, which are bundled together and fused to form a design that is visible in cross section.
MURRINI
A thin slice of complex glass cane that can be used as a component in another glass object.
cane, murrini, millefiori
NUGGET
A small, irregularly shaped "glob" of glass, flat on the bottom, rounded across the top. Nuggets are made by literally dropping a small amount of molten glass onto a flat surface. Frequently called "globs," they are often incorporated into leaded glass artwork.
A small, irregularly shaped "glob" of glass, flat on the bottom, rounded across the top. Nuggets are made by literally dropping a small amount of molten glass onto a flat surface. Frequently called "globs," they are often incorporated into leaded glass artwork.
OPAL or OPALESCENT
Said of any glass into which a material has been introduced at the raw materials stage (usually fluorine or phosphorus) which causes a degree of crystallization to occur, and creates opacity in the glass. Reflected light is colorless, therefore white. The degree of opacity (and "whiteness") is variable depending upon composition and temperatures used in the manufacturing process. Commonly then, white glass is called "opal."
RODS
Used to describe cylindrical, pencil-thick sticks of glass used primarily in flameworking and glass bead making. They are available in a wide color range and many expansion coefficients.
STRINGER
A spaghetti-like glass shape used as a decorative element in the hot glass arts.
Said of any glass into which a material has been introduced at the raw materials stage (usually fluorine or phosphorus) which causes a degree of crystallization to occur, and creates opacity in the glass. Reflected light is colorless, therefore white. The degree of opacity (and "whiteness") is variable depending upon composition and temperatures used in the manufacturing process. Commonly then, white glass is called "opal."
RODS
Used to describe cylindrical, pencil-thick sticks of glass used primarily in flameworking and glass bead making. They are available in a wide color range and many expansion coefficients.
STRINGER
A spaghetti-like glass shape used as a decorative element in the hot glass arts.
The other 2 giants specialising in fusible art glass are Uroborus and Bullseye Glass , who have developed glass with the studio artist in mind and also offer a wide variety of glass products, machinery, tools and more.
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