Glass Casting

The Process of Casting Glass

What I enjoy most about glass casting is the variety of tasks and skills required to finish a piece. Drawing, sculpting, mathematics, a steady hand, and a complete thought process are needed to craft a piece.

Di uses the lost wax method to create her bespoke cast glass artworks. Here is her complete process:

• Create a wax model

• Hand-build a kiln mould from plaster and silica around the wax model

• Steam the wax from the kiln mould

• Weigh and clean the lead crystal and pack into a terracotta pot

• Place the mould in the kiln with the terracotta pot positioned above it

• Set the kiln controller to desired firing schedule, a minimum of one week

• Unpack the kiln and discard the terracotta pot

• Remove the mould from the freshly cast glass

• Cut the base off the glass with a diamond saw

• Grind the base by hand-lapping with four varying grades of grit

• Soak glass in polish dip for 8 hours

• Polish flat areas, base or sides, with cerium oxide

• Engrave signature and artwork code on the base

• Photograph and catalogue the finished cast glass artwork

The casting process is refined to suit each artwork. From artworks produced in production quantities to unique commissions, each artwork requires vast knowledge and technical skill.