Award Anyone?????

Large, clear glass "chunks" with something engraved on them, or something embedded in them, are sometimes seen at awards ceremonies and retirement celebrations.  It matches a metal trophy for "need to dust," and is probably similar in weight.

Fused layers of 2mm glass and other glass elements, dammed, then cold worked, to form 5" X 7 " X 1.25" block.

When dropped, both can break your toes, but unlike a trophy that dents when dropped, glass can shatter into thousands of pieces.  I am not sure if this increases its' value as an award, but somehow that seems unlikely.

Fused layers of 2mm glass and other glass elements, dammed, then cold worked, to form 5" X 7 " X 1.25" block.

My biggest challenge in casting this particular chunk was trying to omit the air bubbles.  I was not very successful.

Fused layers of 2mm glass and other glass elements, dammed, then cold worked, to form 5" X 7 " X 1.25" block; emphasis on embedded aqua and white streaky rectangle

The two largest air bubbles are locate to the upper right of each of the embedded chevronesque features.  The layer that contained the chevrons had many pieces of glass put together in somewhat of a puzzle fashion.  These seams must have trapped enough air in the central portion of the piece, that it could not all escape when molten. 

Fused layers of 2mm glass and other glass elements, dammed, then cold worked, to form 5" X 7 " X 1.25" block; emphasis on embedded chevrons.

The aqua and white streaky rectangle, that is placed at a different layer in the block, appears to have missed the air bubble challenge despite the fact that pieces are placed around it, as well. 

Fused layers of 2mm glass and other glass elements, dammed, then cold worked, to form 5" X 7 " X 1.25" block.

I am glad I learned how to do this, but will think about using complex patterns with color that can be formed into block like this, then sliced apart with a power saw.  I will share an example of this type of work tomorrow - it is currently a "trending" use of glass in visual art!