GLASS AWARDS

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"Many of our requests for awards came from viewers at the galleries. That's essentially how we were introduced into the awards market," says Warren.

Sculptured Glass

Because there are only a few books or classes on flamework, the art of sculpting glass through this process was self-taught for the Hoopers. "We use a variety of techniques learned over 12 years of trial and error," Warren states.

Rather than a hard, solid material like clay or wood, glass can flow into an unlimited variety of shapes without the need for preformed molds, says Bob.

The sculptures begin with solid glass rods varying in diameter from 3mm to 35mm. The rods are heated to a molten state, then pushed, pulled and shaped by hand while trying to control the slow moving liquid in mid-air. Maintaining an even temperature throughout the sculpture during shaping is difficult and risky, explains Bob. As the size increases, maintaining a uniform temperature becomes difficult.

"The quality and clarity of the glass sculpture is unsurpassed because we recently incorporated the use of hydrogen combined with oxygen for a much hotter and faster sculpting flame," Warren explains. "It allows for greater size and detail in the sculptures." Even though the majority of the studio's work is targeted toward glass sculptures for galleries, the awards and advertising specialty markets are growing. The flamework process

was used to create awards such as the man in the wheelchair, the bonsai tree and the eagle. However, the increasing number of requests for company logos cut from glass led to locating a process suitable for the clean-cut edges necessary for logo reproduction. The Hoopers found what they were looking for with the waterjet process provided by artist Harri Aalto.

Waterjet Opens Logo Use

In 1988, Aalto conceived the idea of using waterjet technology to shape marble and granite. Working with waterjet technicians, he perfected methods for inlaying and combining stone with materials such as glass and metals. A computer is used to guide the high-pressure water stream that can virtually cut any shape, including logos, Bob explains.

With the waterjet technology, new effects and forms of artistic expression were unlimited. Aalto was eager to work with other artists and designers to exploit the possibilities. He participated in the creation of waterjet artistic products including awards, sculptures, desk accessories, floor tiles, architectural decorations, logos and furniture.

The Hoopers' tapped into Aalto's waterjet abilities to meet their demand for glass logo awards. Consequently, a glass horseshoe inlaid with 100 ounces of silver was created. The award, appraised at $6,000, was presented to the winner of a Las Vegas casino poker tournament. In addition, 12 smaller versions of the award, inlaid with 40 ounces of silver and appraised at $4,000 each, were produced.

Glass Awards Continued