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.