32 • Glass Art TM • May/June 2016 http://www.GlassArtMagazine.com
With a Little Help from My Friends
An experienced crafter, Dr. Laura was accomplished at weav-
ing, knitting, and stringing semiprecious stones with pearls when
she turned to the Internet to learn about glass fusing. Eventually
she purchased a Paragon hexagonal kiln and started fusing glass.
“My first work was not a masterpiece, but I was encouraged by the
accessibility and fun of the process.”
In the beginning, she worked from books that had precise and
understandable instructions or copied her favorite works as a learn-
ing exercise. “I would call up the artist whose work I was trying to
emulate, and 100 percent of the time people were very gracious in
answering any of my questions. Fusing is an art and a science, and
there are a lot of different opinions on process and technique based
on the kiln and the glass being used.”
During an Internet search for texture molds, Dr. Laura discovered
Creative Paradise, Inc., in Goddard, Kansas, a designer, manu-
facturer, and marketer of molds, tools, and projects for ceramists,
warm glass artists, and potters. Dr. Laura discovered and instigated
a friendship with company owner Stephanie O’Toole, who became
instrumental in her progression through the fused glass learning
curve. O’Toole and her sister visited Dr. Laura in her home studio,
giving her a three-day crash course in fusing.
Another strong influence on Dr. Laura’s early fusing was Janine
Stillman of Designs by Ja9, Arroyo Grande, California. Stillman
teaches a variety of classes at the Glass Craft & Bead Expo held
every spring in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Laura took Stillman’s begin-
ning glass combing workshop in Vegas and followed up by inviting
Stillman to her home studio for a three-day workshop. “Stephanie
and Janine are two of the most amazing, compassionate, loving,
kind, strong women on the planet. I could text them a photo at any
time, and they would both be willing to give me an analysis of
where things went wrong and a thumbs up when things went right.”
Dr. Laura converted an attached apartment at her home into a
glass studio, now filled with tables, shelves, two Paragon kilns,
and a very large Skutt kiln known as “The coffin,” in which 10 to
12 projects can be fired at once. “When I called and told Jim Skutt
I was making work to raise money for OFF, he donated the kiln.”
Lisa Parks at Delphi Stained Glass, Lansing, Michigan, has been
supplying Dr. Laura with Spectrum System 96 glass, and when the
artist began exploring Art Clay, Jackie Truty of Art Clay World
donated the silver.
This year Dr. Laura produced a combination of fused glass bowls,
platters, clocks, and fine silver jewelry. “I didn’t know I had an ad-
dictive personality until I started playing with glass. Every time I
open the kiln and my piece turns out, I practically dance in place.
We have three boutiques per year, so I’m in constant motion. If I
have a disaster, I need to immediately ask an expert to find out what
I did wrong, so I don’t lose glass and time. The art glass industry
has been filled with generous souls, giving of not only supplies, but
knowledge and time.”© Copyright 2016 by Glass Art
All rights reserved.Dr. Laura Schlessinger
http://www.drlaura.com
http://www.operationfamilyfund.org.Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Cabbage Leaves,
12‑1/2" x 8", 2015.Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Fallen Leaves,
12" x 12", 2015