Ethier created the panels that comprise Luminated Manuscripts by firing glass particles in plaster casts. These plaster molds were created through the 'cire perdue' (lost wax) process.  With this process, wax figures are created and then embedded in plaster in such a way that upon heating, the wax melts away, leaving an impression in the plaster.  Glass (or another medium, like metal) is then placed in the plaster mold and fired at ca. 1500 degrees. The glass particles fuse in the heat.  After the firing, the plaster easily crumbles away from the glass object.  Ethier used ‘dichroic’ glass for Luminated Manuscripts. Dichroic glass has been coated with a metallic oxide to create an irridescent effect.

Ethier used another process (employing a rubber mold) to create duplicate wax objects.  This allowed her some flexibility in design and the ability to reuse the figures she crafted.   Thus, the duplicates of the wax figures employed to create the glass panels still exist. These figures are illustrated on this page. 

The complex medium of glass requires a great deal of artistry, skill, and experimentation to achieve the desired result.