Heather Mansfield

Fused Glass

“My fused glass melds science and nature. Science dictates how layers of colored glass and embellishments are turned into a single sheet and how that sheet is shaped. Nature provides the design inspiration.”

I am a wildlife biologist who for 20 years worked to protect fish, wildlife, and plants from pesticides, managed a hunting and fishing program, and developed and implemented plans to protect threatened and endangered flora and fauna. In 2000 I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that destroys the central nervous system. Over the years, the disease made field work progressively more difficult. Work as a desk biologist was not satisfying so I found another outlet that would allow me to work with the beauty of the natural world. While my glass designs are diverse, native fish, wildlife and plants, my first professional passion, comprise the heart of my new career as a fused glass artist. I also often feature horses as they are a beautiful and integral part of this region. All proceeds from my glass sales are donated to the National MS Society to support them in funding research for a cure and helping those living with the disease.

Creating Fused Glass Art

After settling on a design that must include a minimum of two glass layers, glass sheets are cut to the appropriate size. Glass that has been coarsely ground, powdered, or formed into noodles can be used as can special paints, enamel decals, and metals. Depending on the complexity of the design, the assembly process can take from a few hours to weeks.

Once the glass pieces have been stacked and assembled they are fused into a single sheet in a kiln by heating to around 1500˚F. The glass must undergo a very specific heating and cooling cycle in order to fuse successfully that can take about 24 hours.

The fused sheet of glass can then be molded into an infinite number of shapes by draping it over a mold (i.e. a plate, bowl, or vase former) and slowly heating it to approximately 1200 ˚F until it sags and takes on the shape of the mold. This process, known as slumping, may also require 24 hours. Due to the complexity of the assembly, firing and slumping processes, no two pieces will ever be exactly alike!

Email: glass_aerie@yahoo.com