Colette Coad

Studio 7B

Fused Glass

I fuse many types, colors, and textures of glass. I make architectural pieces as well as other art glass. I also make functional art. I have branched out into dichroic jewelry and dichroic stand art.

I love glass.  It is not only my medium, it is a source of great joy and sometimes great frustration. Fourteen years ago I took an introductory class on glass fusing. I fell in love. I bought a kiln and some glass (enough to fill a stand holding eight pieces). I now have two kilns, five stands and two crates of glass. Yes, I do love glass.

I do fused glass which is also known as warm glass. This is somewhat ironic given that I fuse at a top temperature of 1550 degrees Fahrenheit.   It takes about 14 hours for the kiln to work its magic so this is not art for the impatient. There is no instant gratification. 

I fuse glass into many forms including cabochons for jewelry, architectural pieces as art, functional glass for serving or displaying food and many other forms including ocean waves, animals, and the environment.

Glass has always intrigued and fascinated me. I think the dichotomy of it being both dangerous and fragile while being so beautiful is captivating. I love the way it looks as the light changes and the almost endless combinations of colors and even textures that can be created. I do wish I had bought stock in a band-aid company given how easy it is to cut myself while doing glass.

My work has been shown in several galleries on the coast and I have won ribbons and awards each year at Gualala Arts Art in the Redwoods.