The innovative gathering was held for members of the Northern Center for Lifelong Learning from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fused glass is pieces of glass that are stacked on top of one another, then fired in a kiln to produce dazzling creations.

“You’re the artist, you can create whatever you want,” Hot Plate Manager Justine Salmonson said.

Under the Winter Sky was the theme of the class. The dozen participants were encouraged to make winter scenes from several different colors of transparent and opaque glass. Each member started out with a four inch by four inch piece of black glass that would become a coaster or a wall hanger.

(Journal photo by Taylor Johnson)

Colored glass came in large pieces that could be cut into smaller pieces by scoring it with a special tool, then pinching it with pliers to break it into a desired size and shape.

Safety glasses were necessary when cutting, as glass could go flying once pinched with the pliers.

Glass was then layered on to the black starting piece of glass. Glue was applied to the back of the glass pieces to ensure they stayed where they were put until the project could make it to the kiln.

The key was keeping the color wheel in mind and how colors blend together. For example: if transparent yellow glass was laid first, then transparent purple on top, it would make brown.

Several people laid down white glass, then added black stripes across the white, making it look like a birch bark tree.

The type of glass being layered was also important. Transparent glass could not be layered on the black starting glass as it would blend and get lost in the black once fired in the kiln.

Finely crushed glass was also used to make the appearance of snow. The crushed glass came in three consistencies: fine coarse, medium coarse, and very coarse.

To apply it, participants put on gloves, put glue on a cotton swab, applied the glue to the glass, then shook the crushed glass on to the glue.

“Everyone has the same project, but everyone has different styles and ideas, so they all turn out unique in their own way,” Salmonson observed.

The finished pieces were a mix of designs. Some pieces were abstract where others were more straightforward. Some included Christmas trees decorated with tiny ornaments while others sported more simple birch bark designs with snow flowing around them.

The pieces were then ready to be sent to the kiln to be fired. For the pieces that would become wall hangers, Salmonson would punch two holes into the works, then string fishing wire through them. Participants were to be able to pick up their finished products in two weeks.

The NCLL has partnered with Hot Plate prior to this event for other classes it offers. “Our members consist of both men and women, so we try to plan a broad spectrum of activities that everyone can enjoy,” chairperson Ginger Bollero-Petry, said.

Hot Plate, located at 130 W. Washington St., Suite U6 in Marquette, hosts glass fusion classes for the public as well as other creative classes. A schedule of events can be found on their website at www.hotplatepottery.com.

Taylor Johnson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is tjohnson@miningjournal.net.