For my vitrigraph setup I set my Hot Box Kiln on top of a panel of 1? thick fireproof fiberboard with a 2 ½" hole drilled out of the center. The fiberboard replaces the bottom of the kiln. The entire unit is mounted overhead on a sturdy ladder-like structure making in essence a miniature bottom draw glass furnace.

     Within the heating chamber I place a 4 inch clay flower pot that I have filled with compatible glass making sure that the hole in the bottom of the pot is over the hole in the fiberboard. When filling the flower pot I first place a piece of clear glass over the hole in the bottom. This way I don't have to worry about the glass falling out before it melts. I bring the temperature up slowly. Firing the vitrigraph too fast could result in a melt with lots of air bubbles. It can also cause the glass and/or the pot to thermal shock, sending chips and shards into the elements and refractory bricks of your kiln. A good ramping rate is around 450 dph.

     Once the glass begins to flow out of the hole it is very easy to manipulate using some simple tools. While wearing heavy heatproof gloves I usually use long pliers to pull, twist and shape the glass as it flows. You can make your own interesting stringers this way. You can also put a stainless steel tray under the hole and let the glass free fall on to it. One of my favorite things to do involves a length of 1" copper pipe with a hole drilled in one end. Have a helper feed the glass flow into the hole and start turning the pipe. My husband still wants to know just what the market is for glass springs. When they are fused into a project the look is incredible.

     As with all warm and hot glass work safety precautions are a must at all times. Glass will sometimes thermal shock and bits of glass will tend to fly when a stringer is broken from the glass stream. Safety eyewear should always be worn. Kevlar or leather gloves are necessary for charging the kiln and working with the hot glass and tools. It is also a good idea to wear long legged cotton pants and long-sleeved cotton shirts, and be sure to wear close-toed shoes. Avoid wearing synthetic materials/fabrics as hot glass will melt into them and you.

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This article first appeared in June 2005 issue of The Glass Island News and was written by Pamela Goess, owner of Goess Studio Art Glass. Reprinting and use of this article in any form is prohibited without expressed written permission of the owner. All rights are reserved.

Glass being pulled from the bottom

A look at the inside of the clay pot
after the session is over

Glass coil created by forming glass thread around copper pipe as it flowed through
the bottom of the kiln.

Finished kiln formed piece using some vitrigraph elements in the design.