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Translating to "glass paste" in French, Pâte de Verre involves a labor-intensive process where finely crushed glass is meticulously hand-packed into molds. The fine glass powder can be layered and colored in a way that allows for intricate patterns and smooth transitions between hues. This level of control over color is a hallmark of the technique. This glass powder is mixed with a special binding agent to create a paste, which is then fired at precise temperatures, causing the glass to melt and fuse, trapping tiny air bubbles within. This method results in a unique, granular texture that catches and diffuses light in mesmerizing ways, creating a misty, diffused gradient of colors.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Pâte de Verre is the use of single-use molds. Each mold is carefully crafted to produce a single piece of glassware. To extract the glass from the mold, the mold must be broken, making each piece truly unique and ensuring that no two pieces can be identical. This process adds to the labor-intensive and exclusive nature of Pâte de Verre.