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Calgary
artist Katy Pattison has always been fascinated with glass and has
been working with it for over 20 years. Her desire to learn more
about glass led Katy to the ever-changing world of glass fusing. Katy
joined forces with Valerie McGill in May 1997 and formed Opalescence.
Their jewelry can be found in gift stores across Canada and parts
of the United States.
A kiln and dichroic glass are used to make the jewelry. Dichroic glass is glass
that has two colours, transmitted and reflected. This glass coating process was
originally developed for the space industry for use in microchips. It is achieved
by applying multiple, micro-thin layers of different metals (titanium, chromium,
aluminum, zirconium, magnesium, or silicon) to the surface of glass. Certain
wavelengths of light are allowed to pass through or be reflected causing the
array of colours you see.
Once fused, the jewelry is ground to shape, fire polished, and finally wrapped
with
sterling wire or set in a beautiful sterling setting. The results are stunning
and always different. Due to the nature of fusing you will never find two pieces
that are exactly alike. Choices are endless.
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