Peony of Hope by Robin Bitzegaio

This fused dish is a peony. We all need "hope" That is what peonies symbolize for me with their uplifting spring color and beauty.

To make this dish, I cut out the peony petals and fused them two times in layers to give the glass some depth, with various dichroic glasses as the flower center. Then I ground the edges to give better definition to the flower. I then fused it onto clear glass to bevel the edges. After slumping the glass into a mold that I made with layers of thick fiber paper, I added the glass feet to the bottom of the dish. This is by far my favorite dish I have made. I loved the creative process in making it. My mom loved peonies, too, so the dish also brings good memories of her to my mind and heart.