Fused Glass Heart Bowl

Once Pilisa Rainbow Lady was introduced to the medium of fused glass, she also found her passion and puts some of that passion into every piece she creates. Her studio produces bowls, plates, wall art, light sconces, door and window panels. She is currently focused on working directly with clients to create custom wall art, light sconces, and door and window panels for homes and businesses. Her studio has also produced custom signs for a gallery and a wine bar.

The magic of this process is all in the heat of the kiln. She start with layers of transparent or opaque sheet glass, powdered glass (called frit), thin rods of glass (called stringers), as well as other inclusions such slices of millefiori canes (an Italian word for “thousand flowers”) and pieces of copper mesh. She uses these inclusions to add texture and excitement to her pieces.

Working on a piece, she create layers from these different types of glass and the inclusions, usually ending with a layer of clear glass on top that adds depth to the piece. The heat of the kiln melts all the glass together with the inclusions to make a new thick piece of glass, called a blank. The blank is then laid over a mold which will give the piece its final shape. In this second firing in the kiln, the glass melts slowly into the mold during a process called slumping, and then holds its new shape as it cools in the kiln. The end result is a shaped bowl or plate that has depth.

You never know what’s going to happen when you close the kiln door and turn it on. Opening the kiln door after a firing to see what happened to the pieces is always a thrill! Seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they look at the various materials and colors that are trapped in layers within the glass is yet another reward. Pilisa loves creating custom pieces that will bring the inspirational spark of art into your home or business.