This comprehensive tutorial guides you through the process of creating a freestanding float glass ‘waterfall’ sculpture using vertically stacked sheets of float glass, fused without the use of a mould.
The resulting form—characterised by its laminar flow texture, organic lobed silhouette, and natural waisting—emerges entirely through heat, gravity, and material behaviour. Each piece is inherently unique, shaped by the subtle movement of glass during firing.
Rooted in a scientific understanding of glass, this tutorial goes beyond simple instruction. It provides insight into why float behaves the way it does, enabling you to work more confidently outside standardised fusible glass systems.
Float glass is often overlooked in kiln-forming due to its variability, yet it offers a distinctive aesthetic. Its iron oxide content produces a natural aqua-green tone that deepens with thickness, creating striking tonal variation within the finished piece.
What You’ll Learn
How float glass behaves differently from Bullseye and other COE-tested systems
Understanding compatibility and why mixing glass types leads to failure
Constructing a freestanding form without moulds
How heat and gravity create structure: base spread, waisting, and top bloom
Controlling the narrow firing window to preserve texture
The importance of correct annealing for thicker, structural work
Diagnosing and avoiding common faults such as cracking, collapse, and devitrification
What’s Included
Full step-by-step written tutorial (PDF)
Detailed kiln setup and loading guidance
Example firing schedule (adaptable to your kiln)
Troubleshooting reference table
Professional safety guidance and best practices
Finished Piece
Approximate height: 20–35 cm
Freestanding sculptural form
No mould required
Each result is unique due to natural movement in the kiln
Skill Level
Intermediate
(You should be confident with kiln operation, glass cutting, and basic firing processes.)
Important Information
This tutorial uses float glass only — it must not be combined with other glass types due to compatibility issues
Annealing is critical and must be adjusted to the final thickness of the piece
Results will vary depending on kiln type and calibration
Format
Digital download (PDF)
Instant access after purchase
Usage Licence
For personal use only. Not for resale, teaching, or redistribution.
Artist Statement
With a background in science, my approach to glass is grounded in observation, testing, and an understanding of material behaviour. Over the past sixteen years I have worked across lampworking, fusing, casting and kiln-forming.
I am particularly drawn to float glass for its subtle complexity. The iron oxide content produces a distinctive depth of colour, especially in thicker work, where greens intensify with light and mass. It is often seen as a utilitarian material, but I find it both expressive and quietly complex.
I hope this tutorial supports your own exploration and confidence in working with float glass.