My name is Christine Masters and I started working with glass in June 2005. I took a class to learn how to slump a glass bowl in a kiln. It was so much fun and the glass bowl turned out so nice! I was hooked!
I haven’t taken any more classes, because we live far away. Instead, I have learned about kiln-formed glass (slumping, fusing and draping glass in a kiln) by experimentation. I also search the Internet to learn about new techniques.
I make a wide variety of glass, such as fused glass jewelry, glass bowls, glass plates, glass vases, glass candle holders, glass sun catchers, glass spoon rests, Grey Goose Vodka Bottle spoon rests, alcohol bottle spoon rests, wine bottle spoon rests, and more.
I sell my glass art pieces on my website that I started in Aug. 2006. Check out all my Fused Glass Creations at my website: http://www.mastersglassart.com.
I go to various Art Festivals where I sell my fused glass art. I also sell some of my glass at two Galleries in Newport, Oregon.
I hope you enjoy my blog!
Christine
Masters Glass Art 
August 25, 2007 at 1:21 am
Hi! I stumbled upon your website and am very impressed. I too am a beginning self taught glass artist. You have inspired me to keep going and make it work. I tried to click on your lin k to your website and all I got was a blank page. the snap shows a pic of your site but when it loads it’s blank. odd. Keep up the good work, your glass is beautiful!
August 25, 2007 at 5:01 am
Hi Chronicler,
Thanks so much for your compliments on my glass!!
I’m glad I have inspired you to keep making glass!!
Sorry about my website coming up blank…
It is working now, so please go back and check it out!
Let me know if you ever have any questions about glass, etc.
Christine
http://www.mastersglassart.com
August 25, 2007 at 5:03 am
Hi Chronicler,
It’s Christine again. How did you happen to “stumble” upon my website? I am just curious 🙂
Did you do a search for glass?
Thanks,
Christine
August 27, 2007 at 10:32 am
Yay, I can now see your site. As I say I stumbled upon the page through a google search for fused glass pendants. I am not sure but I think it was on or about the 3rd page. Thank you for responding so quickly. Your plates are beautiful! I will keep you in mind when I have a question. Thanks so much for the offer.
October 29, 2007 at 12:59 pm
I just love your work! The Blue and Almond vase is gorgeous, by the way. Yes, irridized glass is always beautiful, but the texture in the dark glass in the middle is wonderful. I like the surprise of the irridescence on the bottom too. Great job!
Sandy
October 31, 2007 at 2:45 am
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for your wonderful compliments about my glass!!
I was definitely surprised when the Blue and Almond Vase came out of the kiln! I just wanted to have some fun by trying different types of glass. We’ll see if I sell it at one of my upcoming Craft Festivals this Christmas 🙂
Christine
February 11, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Christine,
I had to write a Thank You to you and your husband for including my work and your wonderful comments in your blog. As a fellow artist I’m sure you understand that exposure is the key to succes and your comments certainly helped. Recently a client contemplating a rather large commission Googled my art name Jim Liatti and found this blog with your high regards. He told me”that if another artist with work as beautiful as theirs was so impressed as to remember your name and then take the time to compliment you means that you are doing something right and I want to be a part of that.”
I don’t remember that conversation you speak of (quite frankly I had that conversation with alot of people) But I look forward to thanking you in person this year at the Festival. Again Thank you
Jim Liatti
Knot Eye Art
March 4, 2008 at 7:34 pm
🙂
September 16, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Hi Christine,
Thanks for sharing all your creations. I’m new to fusing, and am always looking to learn. I’m curious about cutting the shape for the spoon rest.. do you use a ring saw? I’ve been afraid to try it freehand, so I haven’t gotten that mold yet. How do you do it? Thanks for sharing… very generous of you!
Sharon
September 17, 2008 at 2:04 am
Hi Sharon,
I did not use a ring saw to cut the glass for the spoon rest. I made a paper stencil and I use a Sharpie to draw the pattern onto the glass. I use the pattern to score and break the glass and then grind any spots that need it.
I hope this helps!
Christine
October 27, 2008 at 4:44 am
Hi Christine — We’re interested in advertising on your sites. If you’re interested, please send me an email and we can discuss further. Thanks — John
March 1, 2009 at 3:33 am
Wow!!!!! i think your work is most amazing…… the fused glass bottles are out of this world…. Im crazy about bottles and glass… but havent had the luck to take nay classes…… i live in india n i dont know if there is anything of this sort happning here… anyways the fused glass will keep me looking for a kiln.. U R AWSOME!!!
March 1, 2009 at 4:42 am
Hi Radhika,
Thanks for your very kind words about my glass art!!
I just took one class to learn how to slump a glass bowl and I learned how to use a kiln at the same time. The rest of my learning about fusing glass has been on various websites, including http://www.warmglass.com. If you haven’t been to this site, yet, check it out! There is a ton of information on this website. Do a search for something you want to learn more about. If you don’t find what you are looking for, then post your question in one of the appropriate forums.
I have a tutorial on my website: “Learn How To Fuse a Glass Wine Bottle.” My website is: http://www.mastersglassart.com.
You said that “you don’t know if there is anything of this sort happening here” in India. Do you mean fusing bottles? If you were the first one, you could sell a bunch of them!!
Have fun!!
Thanks again,
Christine
June 16, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Hi Christine,
I think your work is just excellent. Some time back I fell in love with your slumped bottles and today I fall for the vases.
Want to hear something funny? Some time back I saw your bottles and thought what a great idea! But, those molds don´t even exist in this part of South America. My mom went on vacations to Miami this year so I said to myself it’s now or never!! So I bought them from a store in Texas and have them shipped to Miami (yes, them..I got two sizes so I can slump every bottle that gets on my way). Then my mom took them to Uruguay. I live in a different country so I don´t have them yet. But I will visit my family in July so I will get them in a couple of weeks. I have beer, wine and water bottles. I also have a Heineken glass that has a crack line. If the paint doesn´t fire it may look gorgeous. I will let you know if it works!!
The problem is that now I also want a ring to make vases! I haven’t heard of that idea until today, not even from my fusing teacher. In fact, I’ve never seen those vases in here. I´ll see, maybe a pottery artists can do it for me.
I have a question for you. In here, we always work with float glass. Bullseye and Spectrum are also sold here but since they are really costly we only use those to make jewelry. Do you think it’s possible to make a vase with float? Of course it will need more temperature but do you think it’s possible? Have you tried?
One more question. Which glass is cheaper, bullseye or spectrum? I saw a black spectrum glass in Delphi for 5,95 (12 inch square) but I’m not sure if it’s fusible. Can you tell me how much it costs in there? Maybe I can have it shipped!
Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge!
Regards,
María
June 17, 2009 at 8:12 am
Hi Maria,
Wow, that is quite a story about getting the molds to slump bottles. I hope you enjoy them once you finally get them!! Also, it must get frustrating, sometimes, when you can’t get some supplies. I have never tried a Heineken bottle. I would like to know if the paint burns off!
Do you have access to fiberboard? It is about 1/2″ thick. You can make your own drop out ring mold with this. You can cut it with a small saw and then you can sand it nice and smooth. Have you heard of fiber hardener? You need to use this to make the fiberboard hard and it will last a lot longer, too.
There are other materials you can use to make your own ring mold. Just depends what you have access to.
I tried using float glass for my very first vase. I used just one layer and dropped it about three inches. I think you can make taller vases with float glass if you fuse layers of glass together. Remember when you want to make a vase about four inches tall, you need two layers of glass. With every two inches you add to the height of the vase, you need another layer of glass. Otherwise, the vase gets very thin just below the rim.
Spectrum glass is cheaper, but I use it most of the time. I use Bullseye for certain things, especially jewelry. I get most of my glass and a few other items from aaproducts.com. A 12″ square of Spectrum black fusible glass costs me $6.01, however, I have a wholesale account with them. They still have good prices. Be careful with Delphi.com. Some of their items can cost a lot more than other places. I do order things from Delphi.com, because they tend to get the latest products that come out.
I hope this helps!
Christine
June 17, 2009 at 8:44 am
Hi Christine:
I have fiber paper (2-3 mm thick). It´s the one used to make pocket vases. I also have a blanket (about 1 inch).
By fiberboard you mean the shelf material? Or it´s a different thing? Today I called a pottery supplier and they offered to make the ring out of a shelf. They have saws and all that. I think that after cutting the ring they will have to make the inner edge a bit softer reducing the 90 degrees angle. Maybe it works.
I really don´t know a lot of US suppliers but I was also checking out some things in a site named http://www.sundanceglass.com and for sure they have better prices than delphy. They have less products also. Thanks for warning me.
What do you thing about the ring made out of shelf?? Do you think it may work?
Regards,
Maria
August 3, 2009 at 1:34 am
Hi Maria,
Yes, by fiberboard, I am talking about the material you can use to make shelves. You can use it for other things, too.
You can make round drop-out rings or square or oval, etc. Remember to use the fiber hardener, so it will be stronger and last longer.
Christine
August 23, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Hi, Christine
i bit of a cheeky question really, but can you tell me where you get your black wire coaster stands from? i have been looking for some for ages and can not find a manufacturer or importer.
thanks
andrew
August 26, 2009 at 1:26 am
Hi Andrew,
I bought those from an online company called aftosa.com.
Thanks for asking!
Christine
September 4, 2009 at 5:26 am
Hello, I was looking for things about the Skutt 1414 glass kiln and I found your site. It’s great and your work in so beautiful.
warm Regards
Hassan from Kuwait
September 10, 2009 at 6:35 am
Hi Hassan,
Thanks for your kind words about my glass art!
Christine
October 12, 2009 at 4:05 am
The 4-votive candle holder on your site is lovely – very zen! You could probably just sit and look at it with the beautiful glow of the votives for hours on end! The colors remind me of ocean waves (one of my favorite things!) Keep up the wonderful creations!
October 14, 2009 at 9:27 am
Hi Vicky,
Thanks for the compliments about my candle holder/bridge and other glass art!
Christine
January 19, 2010 at 4:26 am
HI LOOKING FOR A BETTER GLASS BOTTLE CUTTER CAN YOU SUGGEST SOMETHING OR STEER ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
March 12, 2010 at 11:32 am
Hi Deb,
We just bought an Ephram Bottle Cutter. We haven’t tried it yet, but my husband thinks it will work better than a tile cutter.
Thanks,
Christine
March 6, 2010 at 12:43 am
Hi Christine, I love reading your blog! I am the social media coordinator for Delphi Glass (www.delphiglass.com), so I read a lot of blogs every day, and yours always showcases new projects and great photos. Since I know you stay on top of industry events, I just wanted to let you know that our Annual Online Art Glass Festival (www.delphiglass.com/agf) is currently accepting entries through April 1st. Voting is open online as well. We are giving away thousands of dollars to the winners! I’d love to see you, or even some of your readers, enter. Thanks!
March 9, 2010 at 5:57 am
Hi Julie,
Thanks for the invitation!! I hadn’t heard of your contest before. I will certainly enter.
Thanks,
Christine
March 9, 2010 at 2:02 am
Hi Christine,
I stumbled across your blog over the weekend and LOVE your stuff. It gives me some great ideas as I begin to get into fused glass. I have a question about putting holes in the glass. I would like to create a hole within a piece of glass to insert pieces for a clock. BUT, I’d rather not drill the glass. Is there any way to create a hole using fiber paper?
Thanks!
erin
March 9, 2010 at 5:52 am
Hi Erin,
I can’t think of any other way to make a hole for a clock. Sorry.
Maybe another reader has an idea.
Good Luck!
Christine
May 19, 2010 at 6:14 pm
How would I purchase a glass teapot? How much does it cost.
Myrna
August 20, 2010 at 7:36 am
You do such neat work! Very exciting and full of originality! I am a totally self taught fuser. There is only one instructor in my area, and I feel her classes are way too expensive. Experimenting has been very gratifying. I love being asked, “Did you actually make that yourself?”…. Told your work is really pretty. Explaining how I go about the process of fusing is fun as well. There are often times when people have not heard of the word, “kiln”.
Seeing how other glass artists do their projects gives me lots of ideas. I love visiting art shows and browsing the internet. I own only two books about fusing. My library has just two! I rarely find any at the major book chains. I really do not like buying a book via the internet unless having an opportunity to preview it beforehand.
I am looking for suggestions on how to create borders and or backings for small fused tiles (ie.: 3″ by 7 “) in order to do wall art. I have noticed some artists place their glass on to an aluminum background. I would like to try this. Perhaps even use the glass as a focal point on other materials such as a painter’s canvas, a decorative (ie.: painted, wallpapered, print transferred) fiberboard, a slab of wood or a sturdy mat board. ? Any advice?
Also, can you suggest some simple and inexpensive ways I can make stands for my table art? Thanks so much! Have fun doing what you love!
September 4, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Hi Cynthia,
Thanks for all your compliments about my fused glass!!
I have bought things to hang my glass from hangyourglass.com. One part of the system you glue one or more pieces to your glass and the other part you screw into the wall.
I buy inexpensive stands at aftosa.com. They have acrylic stands and metal stands.
I hope this helps!
Christine
December 29, 2010 at 10:34 pm
i also stumbled onto your site looking for wine labels for ”château pétrus” and ”silver oak”. do you still have the spoon dish for silver oak ? if so, is it for sale, if not can you find or make another with the branding rather bold or clear ?
thanks Darrell in Los Angeles ( its a gift)
January 3, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Hi Darrell,
I do have a Silver Oak spoon rest. It costs $40 and the reason it is so expensive is that we don’t find very many of these bottles. If you have one and send it to us, we would charge you $20 to make it into a spoon rest.
Let me know if you would like to buy our spoon rest or you want to send us one.
Thanks,
Christine
August 8, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Hi Christine,
I am a big fan of your blog and you have inspired me to try different methods of fusing in my kiln. I am writing to see if you know or have figured out if there is a method to keeping the painted enamel labels on some bottles when slumping them. Some of the hard alcohol, wine & beer bottles have these types of ‘painted labels’. In my experience, it seems so random as to which ones will still be on after firing. I’ll do one Absolut bottle and it will come out beautiful. And then the next one just flakes off. Have you figured out a sure-fire (no pun intended, Ha!) way of being able to keep them on? Thank you for your help. Kevin in Louisiana
August 13, 2011 at 9:14 am
Hi Kevin,
I am glad my blog has inspired you! That is a very nice compliment!
There is no secret to keeping the labels from burning off, unfortunately. I always tell people that I won’t know what will happen to their bottle, if I haven’t fired it before. I have also found that Absolut bottles are different from other brands. The regular Absolut and the Citron flavored Absolut labels do not burn off. Some of the Kurrant flavor label burns off and some remains. However, all the other flavors I have tried has burned off. They use a different paint for these bottles.
Sorry I couldn’t give you a way to save all the labels. I wish I knew of a way 🙂
Thanks,
Christine
October 12, 2011 at 6:23 pm
i posted about my creations with glass, some how it got erased. i was wondering if you of any one that would be interested in buying my glass peice’s.? i’ve got several differant colors, red, blue, green, purple, orange, black , white, clear, gold, brown, rainbow,. i have small , medium, and large, many lose peice’s also. their all in condition. i am moving so i’d like 2 get rid of some stuff. also my health is’nt the best, i’d like 2 see some one get the glass who appriates this kind of art. thank you 4 your time, waiting 2 hear from you. teresa harrison.
August 16, 2013 at 8:32 am
Hi Christine,
Love your site, very inspiring. After 15 years of stained glass I purchased a kiln two years ago. Since there are absolutely no kiln classes in my area I am learning on my own. Thank goodness for several internet sources and some books.
I really, really like your drop ring vases. Would you be willing to share your method of tack-fusing the base to the vase? I can see letting the glass drop through the ring onto the base in the same firing. But you mention doing the tack-fuse in a separate firing. Seems like there would be a chance of the glass distorting, unless the vase is still on the drop ring. Just can’t seem to wrap my mind around the set-up…
Keep up the great work!
Jeanice
February 9, 2014 at 10:07 am
Christine,
I love your vases. I have been experimenting with drop molds and your art and information reallly helped me. I especially like the foot that you add to the bottom for stablity. However , I can’t seem to figure out how to tack the foot to the vase without having the vase glass drop more and changing the vase shape. Would you mind sharing what type of kiln cycle you use to add the base?
Thanks
Faye
July 27, 2014 at 10:42 am
You’re so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve read
through anything like this before. So good to discover somebody with genuine thoughts on this issue.
Really.. thank you for syarting this up. This website is something that is needed on the
web, sokeone with a bit of originality!
September 26, 2014 at 7:17 am
I love your work. I especially love how you tack fused the bases to your bases. Is there any chance you could help this newby? I tried tack fusing some project based off of some recommendations and they totally melted!!! I’m a beginner in need of help. If you’re willing to share your tack fusing schedule with me my email address is nettas_art@hotmail.com.
February 25, 2016 at 9:45 am
Christine
I’m sure this is covered somewhere on your site, so I apologize in advance. I’m interested in making glass jewelry for myself and need to know if it requires a kiln. I’m on social security, so money is a concern. Also want to know if you have classes on your site.
By the way, was born and raised in Eugene and am a native Oregonian. Saw that you exhibit your work in Newport. Hope you live in OR and love the area as I do! Am currently in South Carolina.
Blessings
January 3, 2022 at 4:00 pm
I see that someone back in 2014 asked about tack fusing the vase to a base. I’ve started making vases and would like to know about this also. I’ve learned through experimentation so I might try it and see what happens. Did you just use a tack fuse setting then? Would hate to have the vase drop into a puddle. thanks.