CoGoGlass
Handmade Kiln Formed Glass
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About the ArtistArtist Terry Corcoran Gomien started CoGoGlass in her Chicago basement many years ago when her kids were young. The medium of glass captivated every part of her artistic creativity and craftsmanship. Her son graduated college and her daughter is in college so time does fly when you're having fun! Terry continues to master her craft through further education, product development, teaching and many hours of practice.
Terry studied Industrial Design at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. She enjoyed a career as a product designer then moved to Rhode Island to design toys for Hasbro. Terry moved back to Chicago and worked as a toy inventor for many years at Big Monster Toys (formerly Breslow Morrison Terzian). Terry created many toys in her career but her kids are still her best project ever. Terry enjoys running her small business located in Morris, Illinois. She has a great team that help get all the beautiful glass pieces from the studio to your door. |
About the Process of Glass Fusing
The process of glass fusing happens in the heat of a kiln. The glass used for fused glass art is created specifically for the purpose of fusing. This glass comes in many forms such as sheet glass, small pieces of ground glass called Frit, strings like spaghetti called Stringers and thicker solid glass pieces called billet. Most pieces created at CoGoGlass incorporate hand cut sheet glass that's layered and then fired in a kiln. The pieces that contain dimension are called tack or contour fused and the pieces that are smooth are full fused. This usually takes place anywhere from 1200-1500 degrees Fahrenheit. Terry uses Bullseye Glass handmade in Portland, Oregon. It is considered COE 90 glass and comes in a rainbow of colors both transparent and opaque. COE is the Coefficient of Expansion that refers to the movement of glass molecules as they heat and cool.
About the Team
Terry Corcoran Gomien started CoGoGlass making all of the glass pieces herself and boxing and shipping every order. The Holiday and Garden Collections grew so popular Terry needed assistance. Terry found art students through Joliet Junior College to start the CoGoGlass Crew. 2023 marks the eighth year of the Holiday Tree Collection and the CoGoGlass team continues to grow stronger and more productive every year. Brooke Engel, one of the original CoGoGlass Studio assistants continues to work at CoGoGlass. Tess Cepela and Mikayla Pemble are studio powerhouses. Luke Sortino is the newest student studio assistant and Juliana Gomien and Valentina Pannarale will assist "Team Trees" during the holiday rush this year. It takes many hands to accomplish great things and it takes a good team to make it run smoothly!