Glassblowing experience
Yumiko Noda ( 2023 - Guest Artist at BGC Glass Studio )
Yumiko Noda
Glass Artist & Co-Director, Niijima Glass Art Center
Her work begins with blowing colored glass into rod-like forms, which are then cut, assembled, and fused into a single piece. She reheats the glass in an electric kiln, flattening it with molds or reshaping it by blowing.
Based on Niijima Island—part of the Izu archipelago—she uses the island’s unique heat-resistant stone to create glass. Since 1988, she has co-directed the Niijima Glass Art Center and organized the annual Niijima Glass Art Festival.
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What I Learned
In my studies with Yumiko Noda, I explored mold-making by sculpting clay prototypes and casting them into plaster molds for glass forming. I also learned overlay color and the Randel technique—cutting patterned colored sheets to create unique designs. A key highlight was the Roll-up technique, where these sheets are fused around a glass bubble and blown into vessels, reflecting Yumiko’s signature style.
Applied Knowledge in Practice
I applied knowledge from Yumiko Noda’s class by using the Randel technique to design unique patterned glass sheets, then forming them with the Roll-up technique to create distinctive shapes and harmonious color compositions. I also adapted mold-making processes to develop more complex and dimensional works.
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