Claude André Designs in Fused Glass

My name is Claude André and I'm based in Leek Staffordshire though originally from eastern France where I developed my love of glass being surrounded by the likes of Gallé and Daum.

I work mainly in fused glass using Bullseye glass, its expensive but in my opinion provides the most vibrant range of colours.

Each piece goes through several stages in a process to produce the final piece, some items such as Red Hot Chilli Peppers involve several firings of individual components before the image is contructed. The image to the left shows this piece ready for the last stage of firing, both the background and peppers previously fired seperately, now brought together with the stems which only need one firing.

Temperature range usually to about 1450º F with long slow annealing at each stage, the firing of this piece takes 3 days and thats after cutting out all the pieces of glass!

Footed Flame Bowl - Click Image for more views