GLASS

The material

Silica, chalice, blow molding, all have the glass as a common point. The ancestral know-how is vast and contains several specialities of glassmakers. According to INMA, there is the one who works with hands, the one who works with a blowtorch and the one who works as a decorator.

The glass is a mix of several components such as silica. It is baked at high temperature even until a thousand degrees Celsius. A viscous material is obtained. This is the moment for the glassblower to intervene and to realise his utilitarian or decorative creations.

The glass blower

This craftsman creates objects with a cane. He puts the viscous material at the end of the cane and blows into it in order to make grow a shape of glass. The material never forgets: one impact and it will keep it in memory. The craftsman has to be delicate if he does not want any surprises. In spite of that, he can add colours, patterns and texture. It is also possible to decorate the material with finishing touches: cut, engraving, or enamelling. Eve George is a glassblower. She creates collections of interior objects with her cane. Ludivine Loursel masters two different crafts: glassblowing and bronzing. Her creations – lamps, sculptures and art objects – combine these two materials, glass and metal, through a common element: fire. For Atelier Stokowski, glassblowing is a family matter, connecting the three brothers Victor, Théo, and Jimmy through artistic craftsmanship and design.

Stained-glass

The stained-glass technique consists in the realisation of a miniature drawing. Then, this one is realised in a bigger scale with flat coloured glass. Each piece of the puzzle is cut with a glasscutter. Afterwards, the pieces are assembled with lead. Finally, the difficulty is the hanging of the creation. This step of work is specific as it acquires skills that can be different according to the types of support: stones, wood or concrete.

Instead of being blown, it can be worked flat by other glass artisans. As Jacques Loire would say, this specialty is that of “light-bearers who play with colored glass to animate interior space.

For Emma Groult, who specializes in the conservation and restoration of stained glass, they are glass puzzles that bear witness of our history. Her expertise has been essential on iconic projects, such as Notre-Dame de Paris.

The glass painting is also an important step of the stained-glass creation. This one is subtle and asks a great master of the hand movement but also a large knowledge of the pigments and the heat techniques. Marie Grillo is working this way. With her plotter, she reaches the precision of her stencils to obtain delicate patterns.

The research

The specialists of this material can also be researchers and Lucile Viaud is working as a real one. She practices her know-how by making the glass with natural resources. Besides, her new project supported by Fondation Rémy Cointreau is about designing an eco-friendly oven.

Glass paste  

Glass paste is an ancient glassmaking technique dating back to ancient Egypt, rediscovered during the Art Nouveau. The process involves grinding glass into a powder and mixing it with a binder to create a malleable paste. This paste is then fired in a kiln, fusing the particles together to form a solid object. This unique method allows artisans to create complex shapes and meticulous details impossible to achieve through traditional glassblowing techniques. Juliette Leperlier continues this family legacy, having shared and taught this know-how in her workshop for the past decade.