Fused glass weaving.
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It involved laying pieces of metal pipe in the kiln, coated with kiln wash. They were of a small (3/4″? 1/2″?) diameter, and spaced about an inch apart. Do NOT use galvanized pipe, because it will emit toxic fumes. I’m not sure what size pipe is available. I’m thinking you could also use copper tubing from the plumbing department, but it would need to be kiln washed.
I don’t have a firing schedule, but it looks like you could use a slump schedule with a fast ramp.
This makes s-shaped pieces with the width of glass you want to weave…1/2″? You then arrange them (see the picture), and stick a straight piece of glass through the openings…
There’s a number of ways to create the strips that can then be woven. If you want a true weave, you can get a stainless steel mold that works well. I’ve seen graphite rods used as well as a ceramic mold or strips of fiber paper. And, of course, you can always simply lay strips of glass on top of each other which isn’t a true weave, but it can be just as delightful.
The key to making it work is patience and a keen eye on temperature. Slump the strips onto the metal mold, then weave them once they are cool. That’s the fun part– trying to get a combination of colors that works together well. The “weave” is then tack fused. Finally after all that, slump the woven glass.
Roxane
You might try checking out http://www.glass-fusing-made-easy.com/glass-weaving.html.
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