"Whidbey Island Frit Fusing Extravaganza 2010"

This special four day workshop is a hands-on history lesson about glass.

We will begin by making Egyptian Faience beads, a 5000 year old technique and precursor to the development of man-made glass. Then in a second project we will make a sand mold and fuse/slump window glass and enamels into it, making a glass leaf bowl. You will have a chance to view Richard's enameled glass collection.

Next we will work with "tested compatible" Bullseye glass using 3 mm and 6 mm sheet glass, crushed glass frit mixtures, the liquid glass line method, multiple firings, silver foil, and various techniques that La Londe has developed. Each participant will create (3) 8" x 8" fused glass tiles, a bowl, and make 2 aluminum backing plates to mount 2 of your class tiles for wall hanging. There are 9 hands-on projects in this class.

This workshop will be held in Richard La Londe's studio located on beautiful Whidbey Island near Seattle, Washington.  A field trip is planned to a local glass blowing/cold working studio and a "wine and cheese" hour will allow each participant to share their work with the group. Wonderful lunches are included and will be cooked by a local chef.

This is a chance for you to interact with a glass fusing pioneer in his own studio!