Hard edge fused glass art

What is Hard Edge Glass Art?

Hard Edge glass art has a distinct style, with hard edges. It relies on cutting lots of coloured glass pieces to an exact pattern, so they all fit exactly together to make the final image - like a jigsaw. There's an in-depth article here - The Hard Edge glass art style explained

Commissioning fused glass art

Are you open for commissions?

Yes! Please get in touch and tell me your ideas.

Where can I find out more about commissioning glass art?

There's a great blog here, Commissioning Hard Edge glass art explained which covers the stages of commissioning, and lets you know what to expect.

Reimagining fused glass art

Will my reimagined work be an authentic original?

Yes. Artists throughout history have continuously developed their ideas and themes with the help of patrons. Picasso and Monet stand out as obvious examples.

Each reimagined work comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity, plus a small discrete “Linda ‘24” signature etched on the back of the glass, so you can be sure your piece is an original.

How much does it cost to reimagine?

Typically a reimagined piece costs the same as the original, or perhaps a bit more if the redesign work is extensive.

Can I send you a photograph of what I like, and you tell me what it costs?

Yes. Once I can see an idea that you have, such as a photograph of a place, your rooms, or your beloved I can start to get ideas, and send you a range of sample costs.

I have an idea but am not sure if it’s feasible in glass art.

I love to hear ideas. I'm an artist!

Describe what you want as best you can, and I'll develop a possible solution for you which we can both then discuss until we get it perfect.

Email me at:
linda(at)glassartbylinda.com and tell me in your own words what you're thinking of.

Can I have my astrology sign embedded in the work?

Yes. My Gemini sun says this sort of redesign is great fun to do. You could have any symbol, name or sentimental motif you like. Can do!

I'm an artist. Can I have one of your originals with my colour ideas?

Yes. I love working with people with strong colour ideas. Send me a sample palette, and I'll revert with answers.

Delivery of your fused glass art

How much will shipping cost?

All prices on the website include secure delivery by tracked courier.

Please be aware that outside the UK, the customer is responsible for any additional customs/taxes that may be charged in their country.

Can you deliver to my country?

Yes, I can arrange for delivery to almost every country in the world. Should your address not be accepted at checkout, please contact me and I will find a solution.

Care and display of your fused glass art

How do I care for my fused glass?

Fused glass items can be hand-washed in warm water with a mild detergent. Do not put them in the dishwasher, or the microwave.

How do I display Hard Edge glass art?

There are a wide range of ways to display glass, so I've created a separate page to go into the details. Please take a look here: How to display Hard Edge glass art in your home

Production of fused glass art

Do you sell your stained glass patterns?

I don't sell my stained glass patterns. I put many hours into my designs - they're very much part of what I do, and my style - and so they're only ever for my own use.

Do you teach fused glass in person, or offer online courses?

I don't teach glass art, or offer any online classes or tutorials. I have far too many ideas of my own to get through yet :)

I'd recommend finding a local one day course to learn the basics of cutting and handling glass. This is what I did ... I learned to cut, to work safely, and what tools I actually needed to buy.
Also, if you're on Facebook I recommend joining these two groups:
FusedGlassHOW?
and
Fused glass Enthusiasts UK
The first one particularly is very good for new fusers - no one will mind beginner questions!
There's one key rule in fusing ... you must fuse the same glass together ... so, only Bullseye glass, or only Oceanside glass.
Many people just paint on glass, so this can be horticultural glass. All this is the kind of learning you'd cover in a short course to get you going in the right direction!

What glass do you use?

I use Oceanside 96 glass, purchased in the UK from Creative Glass Guild and Pearsons Glass

What kiln do you use?

I have a Pro-Fuser kiln from Kilncare

What software do you use when designing stained glass patterns?

I redraw my pencil sketches in Affinity Designer so they're scalable vector files.

Once this black & white version is perfect, I'll colour it in Adobe Photoshop.

And when I've finished everything, I use Adobe Lightroom to fix my photos.

What's the tool you're using to break the glass?

I'm using Silberschnitt running pliers. They're fairly expensive but I think they're really worth it. The head swivels, and it's important to keep it at right angles to your cut line. They don't need much pressure ... hold the very end, press gently until you hear a "click" then move along the cut and do the same again.

How do you cut glass so well?

That's a big question 😁
There's plenty of basic cutting rules you'll find in any number of YouTube videos.
Beyond that, I practice a lot - I've already cut almost 200 pieces this week. I think about what I learn - why the glass broke in a certain direction, which glass is easier to cut, which always breaks in the wrong way (ruby red 😁).
So I know which glass to cut exactly on the line, and which to cut a little wider, and grind afterwards.
I keep the glass warm and clean.
I use good tools - a Toyo Super Glass Cutter and Silberschnitt Cut Running Pliers. I keep them clean and oiled.
And each day I try to improve ...

Why do you put clear glass on top?

Fully fused glass naturally wants to be 6mm thick, so a single 3mm coloured layer would "draw in" and change shape. So in order to make sure my straight lines stay straight, it needs a layer either on top or underneath.

I always put the clear on the top. While it takes a lot longer, it has the benefits of
- adding depth to the piece
- keeping my hard edges straight
- avoiding devitrification where the surface of the glass goes cloudy

Do you print on the kiln paper?

Yes, after experimenting, I print on the Papyros paper. I don't recommend it though
- it will ruin the printer
- there's obvious health & safety issues
So there's things I do to mitigate this, but I don't think it's a good thing to teach other people!

How do you control unwanted bubbles in your glass work?

I do a few things that help reduce the risk of bubbles ... First, I make sure the glass is very clean.
Then I sprinkle glass powder between the layers (the finest grade of frit)
Finally I have a good bubble squeeze schedule.

You'll always get tiny champagne bubbles, but big deforming bubbles can be avoided with the above.

Do you have a question about Hard Edge Glass Art?

Please write to me, Linda Rossiter - I'll do my best to give you a prompt and useful reply.

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