Meadow Bowl with Freeze and Fuse Flowers.
A fun first try!
I’ve been wanting to expand my range of meadow-themed art for a while, and a bowl seemed like the perfect place to start. Since I needed to order some clear glass (I always seem to run out so quickly!), I added a small bowl mould to my order. Then, I waited very patiently (okay, not so patiently!). To pass the time, I made a supply of freeze-and-fuse flowers, a technique I adore. I’ve been collecting quite a selection of silicone moulds for this. One day, I’d like to make my own moulds, but that’s a story for another time!
Finally, the day arrived—my bowl mould was here! It’s just the right size for my small Paragon kiln, and I couldn’t wait to get started.
My first task was to make the blank, which was so much fun. I used a lot of my scrap green glass (nothing goes to waste!) and quite a few bits and pieces from Tabitha's Glass Emporium, a brilliant shop where I spend hours admiring all the beautiful glass pieces. I want to buy everything!
Once I had it just how I wanted, it went into the kiln. Since it was so thick, it needed a long time to fire—almost 24 hours! This is the hardest part of glass fusing: the waiting. It definitely teaches you patience!
I was thrilled with how the first part turned out and couldn’t wait to see what it would look like after being slumped in my mold. After a quick clean and a final admiring look, it was back in the kiln for another nearly 24-hour firing.
Finally, it was out! And I was in love! I adore how it turned out. It has a rounded base, so it spins, but I could stop that with bumpers if I wanted (which I don’t!).
It now has pride of place on my windowsill, where the sun (when we get some—how rubbish has summer been so far?) catches it and lights up all the different parts. It is full of texture and is a functional art piece.
I will definitely be making another one in the near future. There is a flower-themed exhibition that I have my eye on, and I think this is the piece I will submit.
Here’s to more bowl-making adventures!