Creation Processes

HOT and COLD glass forming techniques for the creation of your artwork. Each process requires separate tools and equipment resulting in unique aesthetic differences.

Through both hot and cold processes, the cremation ash appears as a soft gray to brilliant white powder layered within the glass. Each art piece requires approximately 1 teaspoon of cremation ash. Any ash not used during this process will be returned to you with your custom art piece. 

Hot

We use two distinct hot glass forming techniques: Flameworking and Kiln Casting. Each of these techniques provides aesthetic variations of size, color and design. Both hot forming processes melt the glass to form a singular component or sculpture. When heated to melting temperatures, glass, an amorphous solid acts as a liquid, relatable to the consistency of honey.

After encasing the ash and forming the glass piece into its final shape using a variety of hand tools, both techniques of Flameworking and Casting require a cooling process known as annealing. The annealing process stabilizes the high temperatures throughout the glass piece while slowly cooling to room temperature.

Click to learn more about these hot glassmaking processes. 

Cold 

Much like wood working, coldworking glass is a subtractive sculpting process. This technique requires great attention to detail while sculpting in a methodical rhythm with machine powered equipment. 

Coldworking requires a multitude of steps to sculpt the form of each art piece. Once the ash is encased within layers of glass, we use a diamond grinding abrasive and other polishing compounds to create the sculpture. Water is needed with the grinding equipment to prevent any excess heat build up from friction created between the abrasive and the glass. With few exceptions, this process requires every piece to be held by hand while sculpting.

 

Click to learn more about the coldworking process.