This lovely sculptural Periwinkle Blue Iris is made out of glass using lampwork techniques! Amazing, right? How do I do it?
I take molten glass and manipulate the glass while it is hot into petals.
This is a perfectly timed dance of being in and out of the flame. Too much time in the flame will melt the delicate petals into a molten ball or collapse the petal into the Iris base. Too little heat and the petals will crack. I also have to keep the entire Iris thoroughly heated at all times as I focus on working on one petal.
Working with large areas like the petals will require more heat but that much heat on the tiny stamens will melt them into a molten ball.
Solution? Every part of the Iris has to be planned ahead of time to determine which parts to shape first from molten glass and then slowly built upon until completion.
It’s a one chance attempt with glass and must be achieved quickly. Working too long with most glasses will stress the glass, pitting it, distorting colors or effecting the surface shine.
Finishing details
My Iris has a blue glass powder dusting over the periwinkle blue and the petals are edged with transparent blue. This transparency enhances the Iris’s wonderful delicate ruffled edges!
Once finish, into a digital controlled kiln goes the Iris!
She will slowly soak at 950°and slowly descend to room temperature over 8 hours. Once cool, the Iris can not be reentered into the flame or it will explode due to the nature of the glass being sensitive to sudden heat exposure.
How big is my Irises?
My Iris dimensions are H 39 mm x W 34 and including the wire wrapping is H 65 mm x W 34 mm. Smaller than you thought for so much detail? I use magnifiers as I work. The smaller the Iris is, the harder it is to control the heat in the small areas.
My Iris glass lampwork flower bead is extreme time intensive. I only do them when I am really up for the challenge and usually when they are blooming in my gardens.
I do LOVE my irises when they are blooming in my gardens! I think they are one of the most majestic flowers that blooms! I have about 10 different kinds and I try to add a new variety each year. This periwinkle blue Iris was inspired by my blooming ones.
Many people just collect my Irises and display them on stands.
If you’re interested in my Irises, grab them when you see them. I only do them every few years.
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