Images on Glass

Screen-printing with mica, fired

This past weekend I had an opportunity to take a two-day class with Barry Kaiser -- Images on Glass, Screen Printing for Jewelry and Computer Masks to Create Painting Masterpieces. The class was held in the home studio of Kerry Collett (Celt Craft Designs), and while most of the students were from the Glass Art Guild of Utah, we had three visitors from Texas, California, and Oregon. If you have ever taken a class from Barry and his lovely assistant Vanna... I mean Sharon... then you'll know that Barry's classes are full of information and new techniques. This class was no exception.

The focus of the class was the screen printing techniques that Barry uses to create many of his lovely jewelry pieces. Barry uses a special screen that comes prepared with emulsion. An image is placed on top of the screen and the screen is exposed under UV lighting. The screen is washed out with water, and then glass paint (enamel) is applied and the piece is fired. This process is the basis for the many techniques that were covered, including multi-level images, tapestry, Barry's "crackle", and using mica. 

While we all had a few challenges the first day (mainly with washing out the screens to get a good image without completely washing out the design), by the second day we all were creating near-perfect screens and lovely designs. Here are a few photos from the class.

Barry, explaining the techniques.
Sharon, as always, is in motion!

Curing the screens after exposure
and wash-out

Applying the enamel

Lined up and ready for the kiln

Barry, explaining the results of the previous day's firing

Screen printing with mica, before firing

While I don't create many jewelry pieces, the techniques I learned in Barry's class are easily transferable to larger pieces. My favorite technique was screen printing with mica. The results of this technique (which you'll have to ask Barry about -- I try not to give away the secrets of an instructor's unique processes), resulted in the best application of mica I have seen that actually sticks to the surface of the glass (if you've worked with mica, you know that most of it washes away after firing unless capped). The uncapped fired piece lost very little mica, as you can see by comparing the image to the right with the finished piece at the top. The screen-printed mica can also be capped. 

Most of the group continued for a second two-day class held Monday and Tuesday. Unfortunately, my day job called and I was unable to join the others. But it was still a fun-filled weekend and I added a few more techniques to my "bag of tricks". Thanks, Barry and Sharon!

Happy fusing,

Dana

My finished pieces from the class

For more information, check out these sites!

Barry & Sharon Kaiser, for classes, enamels, micas, screens, and other supplies: http://kaiserglass.com

Kerry Collett, Celt Craft Designs: http://www.celtcraftdesigns.com/

Glass Art Guild of Utah: http://www.glassartguild.com/

Bullseye On-line Educational Videos, for general glass fusing education http://www.bullseyeglass.com/education/

Happy Class!