What does cold-working glass mean?

When it comes to fused glass art, like the pieces I create, cold working can be done to enhance the final product. It allows me to add intricate details, such as flattening and levelling the edges, to give my artwork that extra touch of finesse.

Cold working techniques use specialised tools for grinding, sandblasting and engraving.  I use diamond tools to sculpt and refine the glass after it has been heat worked in the kiln, creating beautiful textures and precise edges to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the glass. 

Grinding the base

Here I am using my diamond flat lap grinder to grind the base flat so it is sits perfectly flush with the surface.

So, in a nutshell, cold working glass is all about shaping and refining glass through various techniques, without needing to heat it up. It's my way of adding the very important finishing touches to my glass.