FUNCTIONAL ARTWORK IN FUSED GLASS
About the Company
Nancy Rosato and Tonya Crowe-Chinuntdet met when their daughters began kindergarten together. At first, it appeared that might be one of the only things they had in common, but soon it became clear they were kindred spirits and shared a variety of the same long-term goals.
In particular, both were searching for a creative outlet that could add a significant level of artistic fulfillment to their lives. Common ground was found when they began experimenting with fused glass to create beautiful works of art that included unique, decorative pieces as well as functional items for every day use.
The founding of Molten Reflections was the natural next step, followed by the addition of an expansive studio in Mooresville, NC that serves as the hub for all design and production activities. Nancy and Tonya are thrilled with where the journey has taken them and are passionate about continuing to hone their skills and push their creative boundaries every day!
About the Artists
Nancy Rosato
Born and raised in Silver Lake, Ohio, Nancy developed a love for creative activities at an early age. Her mother fueled much of that passion and always encouraged Nancy to pursue the wide variety of artistic endeavors that she has continued to enjoy to this day.
After graduating from the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston, MA, Nancy eventually moved to the Charlotte, NC area where she and her husband, Craig, started a family. Their three children are wonderfully unique, but also share a number of common interests that originated through the passions of their parents. Nancy loves to share the joys of some of her favorite pastimes with her children such as cooking, photography and gardening. She also enjoys volunteering at her children's schools and at several non-profit organizations.
Nancy has the good fortune to live on a lake and draws much of her inspiration from the ever-changing views just outside her windows.
Tonya Crowe-Chinuntdet
Tonya is a proud North Carolina native who grew up in the western mountains of the state and has stayed true to her roots ever since. She received her medical degree from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem and then settled in the Lake Norman region just outside of Charlotte. Tonya and her husband, John, have three children and take great joy in seeing each of them follow different directions that have all led to fun and exciting journeys.
Before embarking on her Molten Reflections adventure, Tonya spent nearly twenty years in her “first career” with a successful private practice that specialized in obstetrics and gynecology.
Tonya’s passions include horseback riding, photography and spending time outdoors with her family. Nature has always been an inspiration and she strives to capture and reflect in her artwork the harmony and balance of the natural world.
About the Process
Fused glass artwork is the combination of different colors and shapes of glass that, when fused together at high temperatures, form beautiful and interesting creations. The art glass made in Portland, Oregon by Bullseye Glass. There is a wonderful array of colors to choose from. The glass is then cut into various shapes and stacked together in the kiln. In order to fully fuse the pieces together temperatures in the kiln reach 1480 degrees Fahrenheit. After fusing, the piece is then refined by finishing the edges with a wet tile saw and handworked with diamond pads. Etching designs in the glass can be done in the blasting cabinet. Glass enamels and powders can also be used to add decorative touches. The final shape can also be changed by placing the piece back in the kiln in a mold. This can result in functional pieces, such as bowls and platters, as well as decorative pieces that can stand on their own.