How to Make Fused GlassThe primary ingredient of glass is silicon dioxide. This is often referred to as silica. Silica is found naturally and plentifully as sand. It melts at about 1700°C. The consistency is like syrup on a frigid winter day. When cooled, it becomes a stiff and brittle glass named quartz glass. Chemicals like sodium carbonate and calcium oxide are added to help lower the melting point and different cooling procedures. These chemicals bring about an extensive range of attributes and colors. Glass is an amorphous solid and not a liquid. As it is heated, it becomes softer and then fluid. This ability to change the texture allows the glass to be molded, blown, poured, pressed, coated, and decorated. Separate pieced of glass can be fused together when then are in contacted and heated to approximately 1300 degrees Fahrenheit or more. So how can you make unique pieces of fused glass? It is easier than you might imagine making your own sheet of glass. Using any piece of plain glass, be it clear or colored, add elements to it and make it uniquely yours. What can you do with these customized pieces of designed glass? Customize a window with your own colors, slump a piece into a mold to make a platter, dish or some other design, cut them up and make cabochons, drape them over a mold to make a candle holder, make personalized tiles for a back splash in a bathroom or kitchen, etc. You are only limited by your imagination.
Decide what you are going to make, and what colors you want for your project. Don’t limit yourself with flat pieces of glass, use some stringers, noodles, or dichroic for some texture and dimension in your piece.Arrange your pieces using a tack glue if necessary to hold pieces into place. Fire them in your kiln either to a tack fuse for more dimension, or to a full fuse for a flat even glossy texture. Keep in mind how glass shrinks or spreads out to reach the ¼ inch height. Once you have your piece fired, you might need to do some cold work with a
grinder
or other tool to achieve the correct dimensions. If you do decide to use a grinder, be sure to clean your pieces thoroughly to remove any remaining particles. Then if needed, do a polish firing to finish your piece and smooth out any rough edges.
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