Colette Coad

Studio 7B

Fused Glass

I fuse art glass and create pieces that range from architectural to whimsical to intricate. I also fuse plants into my glass. There are also functional pieces such as bowls, plates, candle holders and pendants.

I love glass. It is not only my medium, it is a source of great joy and sometimes great frustration. Twelve years ago, I took an introductory class on glass fusing in Sebastopol. I fell in love. I bought a kiln and some glass (enough to fill a stand holding eight pieces). I now have two kilns, five stands and two crates of glass. Yes, I love glass.

I do fused glass which is also known as warm glass. This is somewhat ironic given that I fuse at a top temperature of 1,450 degrees Fahrenheit which seems much hotter than warm. It takes about fourteen hours for the kiln to work its magic so this is not art for the impatient. There is no instant gratification. 

Glass has always intrigued and fascinated me. I think the dichotomy of it being both dangerous and fragile while being so beautiful is captivating. I love the way it looks in different light and the almost endless combinations of colors and even textures that can be created. I do wish I had bought stock in a band-aid company given how easy it is to cut myself while doing glass.

I enjoy taking classes and have learned many techniques that I apply to my work. It is fun to mix up the techniques and apply them to totally new forms that emerge from the kiln. It’s amazing how many times I start working on an idea first thing in the morning and the next thing I know it is 2:30pm.  I haven’t had anything to eat or thought about anything else but glass.  Really a good day.

I had a very busy and fulfilling career in management consulting. I traveled extensively in North America and Europe while raising my family with my husband. I loved what I did and it offered many creative opportunities. None of those opportunities were artistic. After I moved to the coast and was retired for a while, I rediscovered glass.  

I had never thought of myself as an artist. The only “art” class I have ever taken was drawing. I failed.  

I think I have found my “inner artist.” I have come to believe that this inner artist exists in many, if not all, of us. I was lucky to find glass with the first series of classes. The Mendonoma area offers so many opportunities to explore and discover what will unleash your inner artist.