Frequently Asked Questions

Kiln-formed glass is the process of using a kiln to fuse two or more pieces of glass to shape the glass. Forms are often used to drape or slump  glass resulting in a beautiful and functional piece of art.

Fusing requires that kiln-glass be used which must be compatible with all elements making up the final product. For example, you should not mix COE90 with COE96 glass when firing a piece. 

When glass is heated in a kiln, it becomes soft and sticky similar to the consistency of  honey. As the temperature rises, the glass becomes more liquid.  Gravity will pull the molten glass to fill the space in which it's contained. 

Multiple layers of glass that aren't contained within dams or forms will spread. One can choose to use the wave edged piece or cut it with a saw to straighten the edges.

Depending on the complexity of the design it can take more than a few days. It starts with planning, designing, choosing glass, cutting pieces, and assembly, then proceeding to the first round of fusing the slab which usually takes 18+ hours of kiln time. Often a piece will be fused multiple times. 

Depending on the design, one might engrave the glass and then apply paint which takes another round in the kiln. In most cases, a form is used to slump or drape the glass to get a unique shape. We also custom-make forms for our projects which adds even more time.

Some projects require combing glass, creating a custom sheet of glass, creating a pattern bar, powder wafers, pebbles, or other embellishments, cutting slabs of fused glass, and cold working.

Stringers are thin pieces of glass that look like strings or spaghetti before it's cooked. They're made by pulling strings from a molten piece of glass. 

Tiny champagne-like  bubbles are a natural occurrence in fused glass.  Bubbles are formed when two or more layers of glass are fused together. Because the glass edges seal first often trapping air between the layers you will see tiny bubbles inside the fused glass or on top. This is normal. And in some cases, the artist may choose to add bubbles by placing frit between layers of glass. 

Frit is made from sheets of art glass and used by many glass artists. We stock our studio with a wide range of colors to embellish our fused glass creations. We use fine, medium, and coarse frit and powders that are either  transparent or opalescent. 

Vitrigraph is made by pulling molten glass from a kiln to make shapes such as spirals, curly strings and what looks like branches and stems. It takes a special kiln to make vitragraph as you pull the glass in long strings from the hole in the bottom of the kiln. 

Please be aware that computers and other device screens may display color differently. Lighting can affect the glass color in a photo. We shoot many of our pieces in natural light without a flash. Also, when using the finished glass piece, backlighting or front lighting and the transparency of the glass will affect how the color is viewed. Some of our photos are shown with backlighting and in the case of candle holders, the candle is turned on to show the different affects lighting has on the glass,

Glass Oasis products are handcrafted resulting in each piece being a unique creation. A piece might be similar in design, but you will see variations of color, and patterns; these are not product flaws.

We ship our products via USPS and shipping charges are based on zip code of delivery, box dimensions, and weight. 

In the case of personalization or custom orders, we do not offer returns or exchanges because the product will not be restocked. In the case of breakage, please message us with photos of the damaged piece and packaging. Once received, we will authorize a return and supply you with a shipping label. When we receive the product, we will create a replacement piece and ship it to you or, issue a refund, excluding the cost of shipping.