Murrini & Twisted Cane Bowls

Murrini slices and twisted cane rods have been incorporated into this bowl, both of which are labor intensive techniques, so the cost of these components reflects in the cost of a project.
Multicolor pieces of glass for fusing are strategically arranged in a container able to withstand the almost 1500° heat to which they will be subjected, then placed in a special kiln usually situated high on a rack above head height with an opening on the bottom through which the glass will flow.
While standing underneath this opening, the glass melts and begins to flow through the opening becoming ribbons.
Grasping this with a clamp and pulling downward while still molten and soft it can be manipulated and twisted which upon fusing will reveal some wonderful patterns, often helix-like.
This stream is cut into lengths for rods as the flow continues and additionally cut into pieces called “murrini,” an ancient technique revived in 16th century Venice of layering different colors of molten glass around a core then heating and stretching into a rod.
After cooling, the rod is sliced into cross-sections of desired thickness.
These individual slices when stood on end, arranged vertically, upon full fusing reveal all the included colors.