Flashback to college......ah, good ol' Rowan U.  I can't even begin to explain how many hours, weeks, months, etc., of my life were spent in the Westby art building's jewelry/glass studio, completely consumed by larger-than-life ideas, and this huge chess set is a fantastic example of one that blossomed into reality. 

I love the technique of lost wax casting, particularly more when used in glassworking.  The same principles apply for use in jewelry, but glass seems more practical when you want to work on a larger scale.  About 2 years into my glassworking classes, I developed a real affinity for sculpting the human form and creating figures in glass.  I loved how the beginning wax work allowed for the inclusion of such intricate features and details, and unlike clay, I never had to worry about it drying out.  I remembered a ceramic chess set my mom had made a long time ago for my dad and how cool I always thought it was, and I wondered if I could make one of my own out of glass- but of course, make it bigger, on a more intense, grand scale, if you will.  A set fit for the gods.......Greek vs. Norse to be exact.  "Massive endeavor" doesn't even begin to describe the process.  After 2 years full of sketching, research, 32 individually carved wax figures and silica/plaster molds, and countless pounds of crushed glass later, I had done it!  The largest piece (approx. 7" x 4.5" x  2.5")is on the Norse (green) side, Odin, opposite Zeus on the Greek (yellow) side.  They made their debut on a 3' x 3' board/table made from Lexann and wood at my graduating Senior Thesis Exhibition.  They now  rest securely tucked away with their creator (for the time being) but I always look forward to the possibility of an avid chess set guru wanting to add them to their collection!