The History of Slumping

As glass designers we spend a lot of our time slumping. You heard me right we love to slump. Slumping is the term that is used to describe how we form warm glass into a shape that our customers will want for their backsplashes, wall or stand alone pieces of art, countertops or glass boards. By applying heat to the point where the glass will soften, our glass designers increase the fluidity of the glass causing the glass to 'slump' into or onto the mold underneath. Here's how we do it. Once the oven reaches the right temperature we put a sheet of glass in, 'slumping' it over a form or into a mold. We use molds that are made of plaster, clay coated with plaster, graphite, sand or steel. Once the glass is formed, we reduce the temperature so that it can cool off or anneal. Slumping has been around since the days of the the Romans. They used slumping on everything from vessels to bowls and plates. They would place a sheet of glass over a mold which produced vessels with rough surfaces, which could then be ground or polished to a smooth finish. Some of the other techniques that they used to get their unique pillar-molded bowls was through the use of a special slotted tool to for the glass into a ribbed shape before it would go to slumping. This helped create a ribbed effect on the exterior of the bowl. Glass is a malleable material that can be made into almost any shape that you want. In my coming posts I'll write about them to give you a better idea of the techniques that we use.

Why I Just Love Glass

My love for glass goes back many years ago, when I was visiting Europe and some other parts of the world. I was enamored with the beautiful glass art that I saw on my voyages. When I came back to lovely Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 2008, I started my business, wanting to share my passion for artistic glass work with others. So I purchased my first kiln, and decided to try it for myself. Today,four years later Castle Designer Glass has earned the reputation for creating custom designer glassworks that will get people talking about our customers, for the right reasons. We're well known for our innovative approach to glasswork, and we have most recently added the extremely practical and versatile glass whiteboards that can be installed in different interior spaces, including offices, board rooms, schools or hospitals. Our glass whiteboards come are manufactured in two ways 1) back painting the glass white or 2) sandblasting the glass. We also frame it with some shiny hardware to make it standout. Our glass whiteboards are highly functional and pleasing to the eye. I guess that the educational philosophy behind our the glass whiteboards is that the more students like their surroundings, the more they'll be motivated to learn. And cleaning is a snap, using mild detergents will keep your glass whiteboard stain free! Designer glass is a stunning way to add value and distinction to any space. It is a diverse material that can be used in door inserts, dining tables, countertops, wall décor and feature walls.

Helping Out Our Community the Best We Can

I have been very lucky in life. Aside from having the love and support of my family, I own my glass art studio. I spend all day creating glass art in the shape of glass counters, glass backsplashes, glass signage, glass railings, glass wall art and glass furniture. Many of the artists that work at my studio have exhibited their work throughout Saskatchewan and Canada. But I would like to talk to you all about something very serious. There are many members of our communities that are mentally challenged. And as the old saying goes "God helps those who help themselves", some members of our society are dealing with too much and need some help. The great staff at the Sherbrooke Community Center in Saskatoon are those angels from heaven that help those that are less fortunate. Each day, they make a difference in the lives of the citizens of the Sherbrooke district in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. They provide each resident with companionship, opportunities to give and receive care and seek to provide a diverse environment rich with spontaneity and variety. They support the individual community members and encourage them to develop their strengths and passions through meaningful and rewarding pursuits. We've gotten involved with the Sherbrooke Community Center in order to contribute as best we can, to their overall mission. Art therapy emerged in the middle of the 20th century that art to express emotions and concerns. We have donated our time as well as the glass in order for residents to create art that will help them heal. Not only do we feel good about what we're doing but we can help others feel good about themselves and that's the ultimate reward. If you would like to learn how you can help or donate, please visit the Sherbrooke Community Centre's website at http://www.sherbrookecommunitycentre.ca/