
photo by Jim Padilla, Capricorn
Studios, Fall River MA
Once the design has been completed, it's ready to be fired in a kiln. At approximately 1500 degrees F, all the layers fuse together to become one. After the piece is "annealed" (cooled slowly) it's ready for a second firing to create the shape. The glass is placed over a mold, gradually heated to almost 1400 degrees F and is held at that temperature until it takes the shape of the mold. It is again annealed and ready for the finishing touches. The back side of the bowl may be sandblasted or wet sanded, or left as is, depending on the desired effect.
This entire process, from design to finish, takes nearly 24 hours. The result is a unique work of art with its' own characteristics. Each signed piece is a Scholes original, created to be used and enjoyed by generations to come.