Studio Journal

An ongoing feed of Glasswork Pixie’s creation process, from basic glassworking techniques to project-specific insights, and everything in between!

Projects Jackie Knowles Projects Jackie Knowles

Creating a Fused Glass Desert Diorama, Pt. 2

The midground layer of this piece actually consists of two glass layers fused into one. Although visually there’s no reason that the dark brown mountainscape can’t just be a single piece, the cuts dividing it into three serve a very important function…

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Projects Jackie Knowles Projects Jackie Knowles

Creating a Fused Glass Desert Diorama, Pt. 1

This project was meant as a glass artist’s take on the diorama, which to me, is a window into another place or time—a world within a world. As an ultimate endpoint, I envisioned an entire wall hung with dozens of little diorama boxes, each one depicting a slice of scenery with a…

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Processes Jackie Knowles Processes Jackie Knowles

Packaging Stained Glass Ornaments & Jewelry

I was no stranger to breakage during shipping when I first started selling my glasswork—in fact, the very first piece I ever sold fell victim to it. I’m forever grateful to the incredibly understanding Etsy customer who left me a glowing review despite the resulting inconvenience, and often think…

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Projects Jackie Knowles Projects Jackie Knowles

Building a Torii Gate Fused Glass Ornament

To create a background for the torii to be fused onto, I cut and shaped a black ring to an exact 1/8” width, and then added a white circle that fit tightly within its center. I fused these pieces together at a full fuse firing schedule. I opened the kiln to an unfortunate unintended result: the post-fuse circle had…

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Processes Jackie Knowles Processes Jackie Knowles

Practicing Stained Glass Lead Safety

Lightly handling a finished piece of leaded stained glass does not cause a dangerous level of exposure, although hands should be thoroughly washed after doing so to prevent the transfer of lead particles to food, or to the face, or to anywhere else that may result in their being ingested. Extra precaution should also be taken to keep leaded…

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Processes Jackie Knowles Processes Jackie Knowles

Cutting Stained Glass With a Separating Ring Saw Blade

The current project I’m working on calls for a square of glass with a circular cutout in its center. The easiest and most efficient way to cut large or irregular-shaped holes is by using a ring saw with a separating blade installed. However, before I’m able to use the saw, there’s some prep work to be done to ensure…

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Experiments Jackie Knowles Experiments Jackie Knowles

Fully Fusing Fish in Frit

As an artist that prides herself on attention to detail and exactness of design, the fact that glass expands and contracts as it heats, sometimes causing entire millimeters-worth of deviation from a pattern, plagues me with many a sleepless night. Recently, while contemplating this persistent vexation, I wondered whether a solution might…

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Processes Jackie Knowles Processes Jackie Knowles

Storing Stained Glass Sheets & Scraps

I’ve always been obsessed with streamlining and decluttering spaces. In fact, when I was little I was repeatedly chastised by friends’ parents after they’d come home to find that I’d completely reorganized their closets, desks, bookcases, etc. while they were out. Apparently this isn’t a normal playdate activity and…

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“Process” posts cover general stained glass & fused glass techniques. Start here to learn the art of glasswork!

“Project” posts detail the end-to-end creation of specific pieces. Start here to go behind-the-scenes with Glasswork Pixie products!

“Experiment” posts attempt unproven strategies just to see what’ll happen. Start here to investigate the limits of glass as an artistic medium!

“Thoughts” posts share opinions from Jackie Knowles (creator of Glasswork Pixie) on all things glass-related. Start here to get to know the woman behind the art!

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