Step 7: Production Sampling of the glass and the 2000 Commemorative

On Thursday 24th Feb the production sampling took place at Fenton and lasted approximately one hour. The color of glass used was Spruce Green. Don Cunningham (in charge of Special Orders) had various shapes made as experiments, such as the rose bowl, plate, tulip/crimped vase, banana shape, etc. They also had the finisher try a tri-crimped vase by pulling up from a plate, then a tri-crimped vase by paddling down from a bowl. These items were later sold as whimsies. The experiments with the shapes confirmed that we could make a whole range of different items from our new mould and plunger.

And finally, our lovely glass.

I was honored (and speechless with delight) to receive a card from the Fenton mould makers (and signed by them), via Howard, when the "Flowers of the World" mould was put into use. Along with it I was also give a little bottle filled with the viscera (the metal pieces that are cut away during the making of the mould). Then I was stunned to receive another item to commemorate the occasion - a vase that the Fenton decorators had hand painted with my "Flowers of the World" design - the exceptionally talented Frances Burton actually did the painting. You can see these amazing items below.

From an idea in my head, through all those grubby pencil sketches - erased and redrawn, erased and redrawn - to this beautiful piece of Carnival Glass. And it was all made possible through the multitude of skills along the way. Designer, sculptor, mould maker, presser and finisher - each had their part. Many of us are familiar with the hot production, as the glass is pressed, then iridised and cooled. But few of us are aware of the fascinating processes that take place prior to the actual glass production. I hope that this feature in some way goes toward an understanding of the true artistry of the mould makers - both past and present.