Amy Ferber from Bullseye Glass visited Delphi last week, and the Reactions were fantastic!
She was here to give a free presentation about using Bullseye Reactive Glass. The two hour interactive presentation included a video, and a chance to look at samples of reactions that were created using a variety of techniques and different materials and what class would be complete without a pop quiz? Attendees were asked to review the samples and identify what was used to make them. Everyone had a fantastic time.
After the presentations I was able to sit down with Amy for a few minutes and talk. Here are a few of the questions I managed to sneak into her whirlwind vist:
Q: What is the COE of Bullseye?
A: Although many people like to categorize glass neatly by a COE number, compatibility is actually more complex than that. Bullseye kiln glass is around 90 COE, and is Bullseye Compatible, meaning that it is all extensively tested for reliability within the Bullseye product line. What this means for the user is that youll consistently get good results when fusing Bullseye products together. Bullseye TechNotes 3 has more information about compatibility if youd like to read more.
Q: What is the difference between striker, shift and reactive glass?
A: Striker glass is delivered to you before it has been fired hot enough to develop its final target color. When it is fired to a fusing temperature the full, rich color will develop.
Shift glass is unique because the color appears to shift or change depending on whether the glass is viewed in fluorescent, incandescent or full-spectrum natural daylight. The color doesnt change with temperature, so fusing wont alter it.
Reactive glass is designed to react to copper bearing glasses, copper foil or silver foil during fusing. This chemical reaction will cause a color change in the glass. To learn more about Reactive Glass check out Bullseyes Get a Reaction guide.
A few other things of particular interest or note:
Did you know that Bullseye glass is formulated to withstand 3 full-fuse firings? This means you can create projects that require multiple firing stages with confidence that your glass will look great. Reactive glass isnt the only glass that will react. Within the Bullseye product line, there are some colors that have the potential to create unique reactions when fired together. To learn more about glass interactions check out Bullseyes Reactive Potential guide.
Q: Why should I use Glastac [instead of school glue, hairspray, etc.]?
A: The first thing to understand about Glastac is that it isnt a traditional glue. It was designed to give the maximum versatility to the fusing artist in one product.
- Hold glass pieces and accessories in place as you position your design and move your art to the kiln. Although it isnt an absolute hold, Glastac does allow you to reposition pieces, and will keep them from shifting and rolling as you move your project to the kiln.
- Mix fine or powdered frit into Glastac and pipe it through an applicator bottle and tip to write or draw on glass.
- Roll stringers, rods or glass strips in Glastac, then in frit to pick up a coating. Depending on the frit used, and how thickly and evenly it was coated the fired result can be spotted, mottled, lacy its a very interesting effect.
Glastac is a busy glass artists friend because you dont have to wait for it to dry before firing, and it will always burn completely away without residue.
Talking with Amy was a lot of fun, she truly had a lot to say about the quality of products Bullseye has to offer and about the joys of learning and sharing information in the art glass world. Thats when she shared this the #1 tidbit that most people dont realize about glass: Did you know that the first ingredient that goes into making glass is sand? In addition, there are a lot of other compounds and metal oxides added that transform it into the amazing stuff that were all so in love with.
Happy glass working!
Images: Top Delphis Purchasing Director Michele (at left) with Amy; Right Pop Quiz! Attendees review and see reactive creations close up; Left Delphis crowded parking lot on the day of the presentation!
