FAQS

How long have you been working with glass?
Since 2000. I'd been making small mosaics when a family friend donated a small box of stained glass making supplies. I took to it, created a 12" x 12" leaded window and haven't looked back. A stained glass window is built on a flat, wood surface. Once I lifted the window up and saw it backlit, it was an epiphany for me. I'd found the medium that worked best with my graphic, color-based designs.

Do you color the glass yourself?
No. I end up using colored glass from a few glass manufacturers. They test and retest their glass for correct compatibility between the sheets so when it comes time to fuse pieces together, there's no guesswork.

Where do you find your inspiration?
I am inspired by graphic shapes and images mostly. I love nature, simplicity, contemporary design, interesting compositions and unique color-combinations. I'm inspired by other glass artists, as well. I love seeing what other people are doing with glass!

How long does it take to make a piece?
Typically, a stained glass window could be made in a few weeks, but it usually takes a bit longer. Depends on the complexity of the design. If it's a very complicated design, with many glass pieces that individually need to be measured, cut, grinded and placed into the window, it could take longer. If the design is fairly simple, a few weeks seems appropriate. In terms of fused glass, the building of the glass piece only takes a few hours and the time burning in the kiln takes about 14 hours. Fusing glass is much more cost effective to me because I'm spending 10% of the time it would to make a traditional stained glass window.

Where can I purchase some Glass Art?
I have an etsy site, http://andygershglassart.etsy.com, that is my main depot for sales. I can be reached directly, of course, if anyone wants to pursue anything custom-made.

Do you teach?
Yes. I love giving classes. I tend to do a two-day class that is 4 hours the first day and 2 hours the second day. We go over the basics of fusing and creating as many pendants or cobochons as possible. I burn the items in the kiln and the next day the student gets to see their freshly fused items. That's when the addiction usually begins.