Fusing glass and light with a passion
Glass and light are two partners in a dance that mesmerizes artist Karen Hovis. She began fusing glass in 2005 while she lived in Florida and, in 2016, came to Western North Carolina to devote herself to her passion. In creating designs for her work, Hovis pulls molten glass from a kiln. Her kiln burns to approximately 1700 degrees and then slowly cools to room temperature. After an initial firing, glass is worked cold to refine the edges and adjust the shape, the cold working done both by hand and machine. A second and sometimes third firing is necessary for pieces shaped into bowls or plates. The total firing process takes anywhere from 12 to 36 hours, depending on which of her four kilns is used.
Hovis works with many forms of art glass, including sheet and frit. Frit is sheet glass that has been broken into small pieces that result in coarse, medium, fine, and powdered glass. Numerous courses, years of study, as well as trial and error, has the artist producing a variety of fused glass products, including pendants, earrings, and trinket dishes. Great as a souvenir or memento, a Time to Fuse trinket dish is a catch-all for coins, jewelry, keys, or a pretty splash of color on a table. Time to Fuse also carries greeting cards, clocks, large bowls, vases, and miniature glass landscape.
As a former teacher, Hovis loves explaining how each piece is created. Visitors are able to watch the artist create her work. With both in-progress and finished products available to see, visitors will better understand the artist’s creative process.
With a studio just two miles from the center of Brasstown, there is easy access along paved roads and ample parking. Nearby are other artist studios along the Blue Ridge Craft Trails.
Hours: upon request
January through December
Call or Text (772) 708-6197 for information.