Erica Biery Collins of Northampton is passionate about her ability to turn a simple piece of glass into an artistic creation.

Collins shared with members of the Woman's Club of Catasauqua Sept. 19 at Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church the process of glass fusing.

She also brought a host of sample pieces and explained how each was made.

During the talk, she demonstrated how to cut glass. Some club members tried their hand at cutting glass.

Collins, who owns Glass By Erica, has been working with glass for eight years.

Her interest in glass fusion began after she accepted a job through a staffing agency at Warner Stained Glass, Allentown. Through her employment, she was sent to other states, such as Florida, Nevada and Texas, to take additional classes on the process of glass cutting and fusion.

The process of turning glass into unique objects is a long and complicated one, Collins said.

"The fused process entails cutting separate pieces of colored or stained glass, then placing them on a larger glass piece and fusing them together in a kiln around 1400 degrees Fahrenheit," she said. "Once all the pieces are fused together into one piece, they are placed over a ceramic mold and slumped into a mold around 120 degrees Fahrenheit to take the shape of the mold. Each firing in the kiln takes about 14 to 16 hours from start to finish. Glass needs to be heated slowly and cooled slowly because if it is heated too fast or cooled too fast it will crack."

Collins has created several items in glass such as plates, bowls, platters, mosaics, stained glass windows, glass backsplashes, pendant lights, jewelry and murals.

She said her passion keeps her cutting, molding and fusing glass.

"I love what I do and feel very fortunate that I was able to find something I love so much and be able to make a living," Collins said. "I have a passion for glass and love sharing my knowledge with others so they can enjoy it as well. Glass is a very dynamic and interesting medium and there is so much that can be done with it."

Collins offers classes at her studio in Northampton as well as through Northampton Community College.

Items can be specially ordered.

To learn more about Collins, visit her website at www.GlassByErica. com.