Woven Plates

Always the conversation piece, asking “how was this made” is a most frequently asked question when my pieces with this technique are seen.
It is a multistep and firing process beginning with hand cutting many individual strips of glass of the desired width.
These are then positioned over a ceramic mold, stainless rods, or other tools which can withstand the intense heat of the kiln and have been prepared with a special glass separator to prevent the glass from sticking to them when melting into the “s” wave curves created with these implements.
Lined up with alternating curves and valleys like a warp in weaving, straight glass strips are threaded transversely through the weft.
Another kiln firing is performed at a lower temperature to fuse the strips together while preserving the texture not melting into a solid smooth slab.
If necessary, edges are trimmed and straightened with a tile saw.
If the intended use is for food serve, I will add a solid base layer to prevent liquid seepage from any small gaps between the strips.
This is not necessary if the piece will be used as a decorative display or wall hanging as small gaps between the strips man allow light to be attractively transmitted through them.