One way I separate commercial products from works of art is to research old glass-working techniques. Glue chipping is one of my favorites.

First, we sandblast a piece of glass. Then, we build a “dam” by wrapping masking tape around the edges so that the warm glue won’t run off the edges when we lay it flat. We then heat horsehide glue in a double boiler and pour it over the level glass.

As the glue dries, it attaches itself to the rough sandblasted surface. The glue begins to shrink and curl upon further drying, peeling glass chips.

Under the most favorable conditions, glue chipping takes considerable time, typically two to four days. This prolonged duration, coupled with the need to repeat the process to achieve the desired quality, underscores the patience and dedication required for this technique.

This process is completed in plastic containers with lids, and the glue is bagged with glass chips. Animals love the taste of the glue.