Mitchell Larsen Studio 340-719-1000
| Concept and Glass Cutting Each design that Jan Mitchell conceives is hand-drawn by Jan and then scanned into a computer. The computer processes the shape into a digital format which is then sent to the glass cutting machine. The high-tech flow water jet machine precisely cuts the shapes using extremely high water pressure.  The result: a cut glass shape of a hibiscus flower.
|
Steffen demonstrates the jet-water cutting machine.
|
| Coloring the Glass The cut glass pieces get their color from finely ground glass. The colored ground glass is hand applied to each piece by Jan or one of her expertly trained studio apprentices. When the artistic process of coloring the shapes is finished, the powdered glass is melted to a semi-soft state in the kiln.
The result: a beautiful art glass hibiscus flower. |
 Mary applies the colored glass
to the cut shape of the hibiscus flower. |
| Fusing the Glass Elsewhere in the studio, large sheets of glass are cut into different sized plates and trays. The plates and trays are placed in the kiln. Then, the cut glass shapes, such as the hibiscus flower, are gently added to the plates and trays. The result is a
permanent bonding (or fusing) of cut glass, ground glass and sheet
glass creating a colorful, beautiful, finished product.
An exquisite and functional art glass plate. |
 Jan prepares the plates and shapes for heating in the kiln.
|
