Nicole Vachier Lozano

Nicole Vachier Lozano, Fused Glass Artist San Antonio, Texas USA website: http://glasstouch.net/ blog: http://nicolevlozano.blogspot.com/ I work with glass using a kiln to achieve results by heating the glass to specific temperatures. I have three kilns two that run on 120volt and one which uses 240volt. The larger kiln has a working space of 23 x 23 inches. The kilns are extremely well insulated and although internally they reach temperature of up to 1750degrees Fahrenheit, I work comfortable on a table only a few feet away. My workspace, which once resided inside my home as a dinning room table, gives me room to cut and assemble sheet glass prior to the initial firing. This is where I plan each piece, laying it out and writing firing schedules (i.e. notes that indicate the specific times/temperatures each piece will be fired to as wells as other possible variables). I keep basic cutting tools, adhesives, writing instruments, rulers and a scale close at hand. Under the table I store bags of plaster/silica which I use to make molds, like the faces at the far end of the table. I use wooden crates to store my sheet glass. I also have space set to accommodate tools I use to cut and abrade the glass after its initial firing. This includes a bit grinder, belt saw, hand held drill and lapidary wheel all using diamond bits/rings and water. Because of the use of water with power tools this area is outfitted with a GFI power source. This part of my workspace can get a little messy.