I first made a fusion cast centerpiece in 1998. I was always frustrated when you had flowers on a table you couldn’t see who you were eating with, so I decided to make a glass centerpiece to float flowers in. It was the most successful idea I have had. I sold so many I couldn’t keep count. Sold many to go under my chandeliers. I would use the same bronze on welded steel for the base as the chandeliers and it would make a great look. I would transition the colors from blue to green, or green to blue or amethyst to blue.

Making the mold with welded stainless steel. I used refractories for lining the molds so the castings were easy to remove. My first centerpiece was done with just kiln wash on the stainless steel and it was locked in for weeks. With water it finally released. Using the refractories was a learning process, but well worth it. There are many products being used by glass artists from the furnace industry, Mold Mix 6 being particularly useful.

I am making centerpieces again for the first time in 12 years. I am finishing up the bases for a light green version and an amethyst version like above.

Welded steel base takes three full days to fabricate, Twelve pieces are cut from three sizes of plate; 1/2” for legs, 1/4” for foot, and 1/8” for pad at top. The legs are tapered with a large angle grinder, and massive welds are made and ground. There is a lot of welding in this base to get that tapered look.