On vacation in Wisconsin about five years ago, Sheila Partington found a new hobby.
“It was a rainy day so we went to a hands-on art studio,” said Partington, who lives in Springfield Township with her husband, Alan. “It was filled with ceramics, mosaics, you name it. They also had glass fusing. That’s what I did that day, and I was hooked.”
Glass fusing involves heating specially formulated glass until it has the consistency of toffee, she said.
Then the artist can work it into different shapes, patterns, and designs as it cools, about 15 seconds, before having to heat it up again.
“I started in basement using my husband’s wood working equipment,” she said. “It keeps expanding ? it’s taken over the laundry room for cold work and there is glass all over the house.”
Alan built a studio for her in the backyard, with recycled windows, worktops, and cabinets. It is filled with different types and sizes of glass, and a kiln for firings.
“I wish I had a bigger one,” she said.
She purchases glass in sheets of different thickness, color, and shade, ground glass, rods, and stringers.
“All glass is different ? they’re so beautiful,” she said. “I love working with glass because there are so many different processes you can use to achieve your desired results.”
She makes bowls, vases, plates, jewelry and other works of art.
“My favorite is always my newest one,” she said. “There is always something new to learn. It teaches you patience. If you open the kiln to peek, the glass can crack due to thermal shock.”
She also enjoys the technical knowledge needed to be successful. When fusing pieces of glass, the artist must also know each one’s Coefficient of Expansion (COE), so it expands and contracts uniformly.
“If glass of different COEs are fired together, the piece will crack,” she said. ‘Firing schedules depend on the size and thickness of the glass. The larger and thicker, the slower you fire.”
Sheila and Alan have three children and six grandchildren. She is active in Clarkston Garden Club and plays handbells in her church choir.
“I’ve been blessed with family, friends and teachers who have encouraged me,” she said. “I will have a booth at the Peacefest on June 12-13 on Dixie Highway. I will also have my glass for sale at the Clarkston Garden Walk, July 14.”
She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Design from the University of Michigan.
For more information on Partington’s Sand Hill Studio, check sandhillstudioglass.com or www.sandhillstudio.etsy.com.