Lois Manno

Dimensions: 22 x 4.25 x 1”

Bullseye Glass powders mixed as Modeling Glass, nontraditional pate de verre process. The alchemy of heat: during firing, the shape shrinks about 15% as the binder burns away and the particles melt together, driving air out of the piece. A delightful side effect is the way the feather changes shape, with the cuts placed in the feather body spreading open. There is no way to predict exactly how they will change, so it's always a surprise when opening the kiln. A final slump over Miracle Mesh adds dimension, and the piece is done.

Photo is of the completed feather, and one of it in process.