Fused Glass Project Articles

Sea Nymph in Glass

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 07:15:50 GMT

“Bringing a Sea Nymph to Life: A Fused Glass Portrait in Powder and Enamel”

Every fused glass piece begins as an idea that shimmers somewhere between imagination and light. I lived on a reef in the Western Caribbean, so my Sea Nymph emerged from my fascination with the ocean and the graceful mystery of the figures that might dwell beneath its surface. I wanted to capture that sense of movement, translucence, and quiet strength using glass as my medium.

For this portrait, I used fine glass powders, frit, and enamel paint, layering color much like a watercolor artist builds transparency and depth. Working with glass powder/frit is both challenging and rewarding — every shift in color density or firing temperature changes how light passes through the finished piece. My goal was to let the Sea Nymph appear as if she were caught in motion, ascending to the surface.

After sketching the initial design, I began by painting an outline of the nymph, then fusing the paint. The next step was to sift a soft base of blues to suggest the flow of ocean currents. Pre-made items included creating lace using amber, pink, lilac, and blue powders and frit. After firing the lace, I broke pieces to fit into areas of the Sea Nymph and added green powder to the face. Each stage required kiln firings to fuse the layers — until the right balance of color and texture was achieved.

What I love most about this process is that glass never fully behaves as expected. It expands, contracts, blends, and reacts, creating moments of surprise that bring life to the work.

Glass Powder Slider Candle Holder

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 21:05:38 GMT

Making a Glass Candle Holder
with a Glass Powder Slider

The magic of light interacting with glass is captivating. It's the way glass catches, refracts, and scatters light, turning a simple object into a luminous display.

As a glass artist, I’m always experimenting. I’ve previously created pieces using cut glass scraps for textural effects and glass paints to pull abstract patterns, flower motifs, or swirling colors, for a candle holder. I've made stackers, sliders, and even boiled glass to get different effects.

For this piece, I explored a different technique: the glass powder slider . Starting with a clear glass base, I carefully spread various colors of fine glass powder—vibrant blues, serene greens, and soft white—across the surface. The key step was wetting the powder just enough to make it fluid. I then began tilting the sheet of glass, letting gravity take over. The wet powder slowly slid and blended, creating a gradient of color that seems to melt from one hue to the next.

I fused the flat piece, then draped it over a stainless steel mold to form the candle holder.

The result is more than just a candle holder; it’s a small, sculpted piece of art . Its unique, flowing form cradles the flame, dramatically amplifying its warmth and glow.

How to Care for Fused Glass Objects

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 16:27:51 GMT

Keeping Your Fused Glass Sparkling:
A Guide to Care

Fused glass art, with its vibrant colors and unique textures, adds a stunning touch to any home. Whether you own a decorative bowl, a wall hanging, or a sculpture, understanding how to care for your fused glass pieces will ensure they retain their beauty for years to come.

Understanding Fused Glass

Before diving into care instructions, it's helpful to understand what fused glass is. It's created by layering different pieces of glass and heating them in a kiln until they fuse together. This process creates a single, solid piece, but the resulting artwork can still be delicate.

General Care Tips

Handle with Care: Fused glass, while durable, can still chip or break if dropped or subjected to impact. Always handle your pieces with care, especially larger or more intricate items.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Sudden temperature changes can cause thermal shock, potentially cracking the glass. Keep your fused glass away from direct heat sources like ovens, stovetops, and fireplaces. Also, avoid placing cold items on hot glass, or vice versa.
Keep Away from Harsh Chemicals: Cleaners containing harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, or strong solvents can damage the surface of the glass. Stick to gentle cleaning methods.
Dust Regularly: To prevent dust buildup, gently wipe your fused glass pieces with a soft, dry cloth. Microfiber cloths are ideal for this purpose.

Cleaning Fused Glass

Handwashing: For most fused glass dishes and decorative items, handwashing is the safest method. Use warm water and a mild dish soap. Avoid abrasive sponges or scrubbers.
Gentle Drying: After washing, dry your fused glass pieces immediately with a soft, lint-free cloth. Leaving water droplets on the surface can lead to water spots or mineral deposits.
Stubborn Stains: For stubborn stains, you can use a small amount of vinegar diluted with water. Apply it with a soft cloth and gently wipe the affected area. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
Avoid Dishwashers: While some fused glass items might seem sturdy, dishwashers can be too harsh. The high temperatures and strong detergents can damage the glass over time.
Art Pieces: For fused glass art pieces that are not meant for food, simply dust them regularly. If they need a deeper clean, use a slightly damp, soft cloth.

Display and Storage

Stable Surfaces: Display your fused glass pieces on stable surfaces to prevent them from falling.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause the colors in fused glass to fade over time.
Proper Storage: When storing fused glass, wrap each piece individually in soft cloth or bubble wrap to prevent scratches. Store them in a cool, dry place.
Wall Hangings: When hanging fused glass wall art, ensure that the hardware is strong enough to support the weight of the piece. Use appropriate wall anchors and screws.

Special Considerations

Textured Glass: Fused glass with textured surfaces may require extra care when cleaning. Gently wipe the textured areas with a soft cloth to avoid scratching.
Gold or Metal Accents: Some fused glass pieces may feature gold or metal accents. Avoid using abrasive cleaners on these areas, as they can scratch or damage the metal.

By following these simple care tips, you can ensure that your fused glass dishes and art remain a beautiful and cherished part of your home for many years to come. Enjoy the vibrant colors and unique artistry of your fused glass pieces!

Bulls Eye Cascade Glass Project

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:59:39 GMT

Bullseye Cascade Glass & Reactions

I've been an Oceanside glass user since my entry into fused glass art. I've thought about trying Bullseye and what accelerated the move was that I contributed a small piece to a glass project which required using Bullseye. Oceanside and Bullseye are COE96 and COE90 which makes them incompatible.

At the same time I was experimenting with Bullseye glass, I was commissioned to create a tray with an unusual design and color combination. I showed my customer a picture of BE Cascade glass and she loved it. I explained that I wasn't sure how the colors would fuse but I knew they would react and most likely the image would be darker.

What is Bullseye cascade sheet glass?

Bullseye cascade glass is a type of kiln-fired glass that features a beautiful gradient of colors. These colors can range from transparent to opaque and shift through hues of blue, green, amber, or other vibrant colors, depending on the specific Cascade sheet you choose. The beauty of Cascade glass lies in its color flow , which creates natural visual movement in your artwork as the colors transition across the surface of the glass.

Cascade glass sheets are generally used in fused glass projects where a more dramatic or layered effect is desired, offering great depth and a natural, flowing aesthetic. These sheets can be cut, layered, or shaped to create mesmerizing patterns and designs.

For this project, I cut some smaller pieces and fused them to see the results with my firing schedule for COE90 contour fuse. Then I cut a section out of the pattern on the sheet glass and placed it on a base layer of clear tekta and fused it to a flat then slumped to a tray. The turquoise blue turned to a green and the browns darkened due to their interaction with the french vanilla background and blue. In some areas, I saw a painterly effect, so I cut another section and fused a second tray to compare the two. Because this glass is expensive, experimenting/production is done with care.
BTW - after reading the label on the sheet of glass, I learned the sheet also contained striker glass.

What Is Striker Glass?

Striker glass is another fascinating material used in glass fusing. Unlike reactive glass, striker glass contains metal oxides or compounds that, when heated, shift from one color to another. The “striking” process occurs when the glass is exposed to specific temperatures, causing a color change that is typically irreversible.

What I learned.

Fusing a sheet of Bullseye cascade glass is a rewarding and exciting process, offering endless opportunities for creativity. With its beautiful color gradients and versatile application, cascade glass is an excellent choice for anyone looking to add movement, depth, and vibrancy to their fused glass projects. The two trays are shown below .... compare them to the sheet glass photo above to see the color shift.

Creating a Color Palette for Bulls Eye Glass

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:38:31 GMT

How to Create a Bullseye Glass Color Palette

for Your Designs Using Photoshop

If you're a glass artist or designer using digital tools, you know how important it is to accurately translate your color choices. Bullseye Glass, known for its stunning, vibrant glass colors, is widely used in glass fusing and kilnforming. Creating a digital color palette for these colors in Photoshop can be an invaluable tool for project planning and design.

Whether you're designing custom glass art, experimenting with color combinations, or presenting your design to a client, having a Bullseye Glass color palette in Photoshop will help to ensure that your digital designs represent your vision. Working in layers will also help you quickly see different versions of your design. Using a color printout of your design as a reference while creating your glass piece helps ensure detailing and accurate color placement throughout the process.

I recently watched a video by Tim Carey, an exceptional glass artist, showing how he designs his glass pieces in Photoshop. A few people asked if there was a palette of Bullseye Glass colors available for Photoshop. No one knew. So, I decided to experiment with creating a palette for BE colors. Not knowing the RGB values of Bullseye Glass, I used a screen capture of thumbnails from their catalog. It included more information (name and number) than working from a thumbnail on their website.

If you're ready to give it a run, you're welcome to download the instructions PDF and the .aco file that can be imported into Photoshop. The instructions will also help you to create a palette for a specific project or palettes for opaque, transparent, etc.

Dichroic Glass CBS Tour

nancysheridan4@gmail.com (Nancy Sheridan) — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 17:33:19 GMT

Exploring the Beauty and Versatility of Dichroic Glass in Glass Art

Glass art has always been a captivating medium for artists to express their creativity, and one of the most innovative and striking materials to emerge in recent years is dichroic glass . With its mesmerizing color-shifting properties and ability to transform ordinary pieces into extraordinary works of art, dichroic glass has quickly become a favorite among glass artists, jewelers, and designers. But what exactly is dichroic glass, and how can it be used effectively in glass art?

What Is Dichroic Glass?

Dichroic glass is a special type of glass coated with thin layers of metallic oxides, often using a process called vacuum deposition . This technique involves applying a thin, multi-layer coating of metal (such as titanium or magnesium) to the surface of the glass. The result is a glass that displays two distinct colors depending on the angle from which it is viewed. The term "dichroic" itself comes from the Greek words "di" (meaning two) and "chroma" (meaning color), which is a fitting description of the dual-color effect created by this material.

The color-changing effect is due to the interference of light waves as they pass through the glass and reflect off the coated layers, creating a vivid and dynamic play of colors. The surface of the glass can appear to shift in hue, from vibrant blues and greens to fiery reds and golds, giving it an iridescent and ever-changing quality.

How Is Dichroic Glass Used in Glass Art?

Dichroic glass can be used in a wide variety of glass art forms, including:

Fusing and Slumping : One of the most common techniques for using dichroic glass is in fused glass art. Fusing involves melting pieces of glass in a kiln at high temperatures while slumping consists of shaping the glass over a mold. Dichroic glass is often layered between transparent or clear glass to allow the color-shifting effects to show through. The striking contrast between the dichroic glass and the surrounding materials can create stunning visual effects, especially when backlit or viewed from different angles.
Jewelry Making : Dichroic glass is a popular material in jewelry design because of its unique, eye-catching appearance. Artists can cut and shape dichroic glass into pendants, earrings, rings, and more. The colors and patterns can be controlled by layering and fusing multiple pieces of dichroic glass, allowing for intricate designs that change depending on the viewer's perspective. The material’s reflective quality can also be enhanced with gold or silver leaf for added depth and sparkle.
Stained Glass : In traditional stained glass, dichroic glass can be incorporated into panels or windows to introduce an element of surprise and change. The dynamic color shifts can be especially effective when paired with natural light, as it will highlight the variations in hue and intensity, giving the piece an ever-changing quality throughout the day.
Mosaics : Dichroic glass can also be used in mosaic art, where small pieces of glass are arranged to create a larger picture or design. Adding dichroic glass tiles can add a unique focal point or accent to the work, creating areas of brilliant color and shine that contrast with the matte or transparent background.
Sculpture : Glass artists have begun experimenting with dichroic glass in three-dimensional sculptures, taking advantage of its color-changing properties to create interactive, immersive works of art. The glass can be layered, cut, and shaped to enhance the play of light and shadow, making it an excellent medium for avant-garde and abstract sculptures.

Techniques for Working with Dichroic Glass

While dichroic glass is a stunning material, it requires some special considerations when working with it. Here are a few tips for using dichroic glass effectively in your glass art:

Protective Coating : Dichroic glass is often coated with a protective layer to prevent the dichroic layer from being damaged during handling or firing. However, this coating can be scratched or affected by high heat, so it’s essential to handle the glass carefully and avoid abrasives that could harm the surface.
Layering and Placement : When using dichroic glass in fusing or slumping, think about how the different layers will interact. For example, placing dichroic glass between two layers of clear or transparent glass allows the color-changing effect to shine through without being overpowering. You can also experiment with different orientations to find the best angle for the color shift.
Firing Temperature : Dichroic glass is sensitive to high heat, and different pieces may react differently depending on the temperature and firing time in the kiln. It’s important to test and adjust your firing schedules to ensure the dichroic glass maintains its color effects without being overfired or losing its iridescence.
Complementing Materials : Dichroic glass pairs beautifully with other materials, such as iridescent glass , millefiori , gold leaf , and silver foil . Combining dichroic glass with these materials can enhance its visual impact, adding depth, texture, and color contrasts.

Why Artists Love Dichroic Glass

There are several reasons why dichroic glass has become a favorite material for glass artists:

Unique Color Effects : No two pieces of dichroic glass are the same. The ever-changing colors and patterns give each piece its personality, ensuring that no two works of art made with dichroic glass will be identical.
Versatility : Dichroic glass can be used in various glass art forms, from jewelry to large-scale sculptures. Its adaptability makes it a perfect choice for artists who want to experiment with new techniques and push the boundaries of traditional glass art.
Aesthetic Appeal : The striking visual effects of dichroic glass are eye-catching and mesmerizing, often giving the impression of movement or depth. Whether used as a focal point in a larger design or as a standalone piece, dichroic glass draws attention and invites curiosity.
Creative Possibilities : Dichroic glass opens up new avenues for creativity, allowing artists to experiment with color, texture, and light. The material’s ability to change in appearance depending on the viewer’s angle offers endless possibilities for creating dynamic and interactive works of art.

Dichroic glass has revolutionized the world of glass art with its captivating, color-shifting qualities. Whether creating a small pendant or a large-scale stained glass window, this material adds a unique touch that can elevate your work to the next level. From its fascinating appearance to its versatility in different glassworking techniques, dichroic glass is an exciting tool for artists exploring new horizons in their craft. Whether you’re a seasoned glass artist or a beginner, experimenting with dichroic glass can lead to stunning, one-of-a-kind glass art pieces that will truly stand out.

Fused Glass Stand Production

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 15:46:54 GMT

Glass Stand Design
& Production

Hover over the photo for another view.

Designing and Making a Fused Glass Stand

A custom-made stand can dramatically enhance the presentation of fused glass artwork. By carefully considering design and materials, my goal was to create a display stand complimenting the art piece elevating its visual impact.

Design Considerations

Complementary: The stand should harmonize with the glass piece's style, color palette, and overall aesthetic. To accomplish this, I produced a black glass stand with traces of white using the strip construction method.
Functionality: The stand must securely and safely support the glass artwork and ensure it’s sturdy enough to handle its weight.
Aesthetics: The stand's shape, size, and materials should contribute to the overall visual appeal. I considered incorporating elements like curves, angles, or textures.
Versatility: I tested the stand on two pieces of artwork of different thicknesses. This will help me with future designs.

Since the glass was dammed for fusing, it required cold working after the first fuse. Spikes were removed with a grinder. The vertical glass strips moved in a bit on the base which narrowed the gap for the panel to slip into. This required cutting with a tile saw to widen the gap. The edges of the stand were ground to even the sides with the base. After the grinding and sawing were completed, the glass was cleaned and fire-polished. Result: the art piece fits and the stand design works well with the art piece.

Dammed project in the kiln.

Painting with Powder

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 20:51:02 GMT

Powder Painting

& Glass Boil Project

Still experimenting with boiling glass and painting with powder, I decided to try a low-heat glass boil piece. The bottom layer was clear glass on which I first outlined the shark with enamel paint and fused the piece in a Patty Grey dam.

Next, I applied glass powder mixed with Layer Mix and dabbed the powder mix onto the shark with a skewer. It's a different style of painting that allows adding multiple colors without fusing each time a color is added. I fused the glass piece after completing the painting.

I cleaned the fused piece, placed it back in the mold, and added cut strips of glass in various sizes and shades of blue. I also added some frit and powder on top of the cut glass. The piece was fired at 1470°F, the recommended limit for the dam mold.

I'm not sure painting the shark with powder and layer mix was a good choice. Another option would be to recreate the piece by painting the shark with enamel paint or powder with a different medium and completing it with a low-fire boil. Or, forgoing using the PG mold, and dam the square or rectangular project.

Interpreting Fear in Glass Art

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 21:19:52 GMT

Interpreting Fear of Running
Out of Time in Glass

It is very apparent that as we age and depending on how active we are, time can fly by. Since learning the wonderful things one can do with fused glass, it dawned on me that I don't have that many years left to work with glass. I wish I had started this journey 15+ years ago.

After reviewing a pencil sketch of one of my fears, my teacher, Narcissus Quagliata, suggested I create the glass art using a black, white, and gray palette.

Steps to Create the Glass Panel

Step 1. Paint the images using black enamel on a clear glass panel and fuse it.

Step 2. Mix black enamel and mixing-white enamel to create a gray color. Then add water to the mixture and use a large brush to apply the paint as a wash. Use a badger brush and other brushes to blend and create textures. Fuse again.

Step 3. Add more gray enamel to the image, touch up black, and add black stringers. Fuse again.

Step 4. Cut white glass panel, add clear powder to prevent bubbles, top with clear panel artwork, and fuse again.

What did I learn?

I found that interpreting the fear of time running out through glass art can evoke a profound reflection on impermanence and the fleeting nature of existence. The medium of glass with its ability to freeze a moment in time through intricate shapes and textures, becomes a metaphor for the human experience—beautiful yet vulnerable.

Crushed Glass Experiment

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 15:12:47 GMT

Crushing Glass to Make an Image

Since glass is so expensive, creating glass art using scrap glass is a transformative process where discarded pieces are reborn into stunning works of creativity. Every piece I make always leaves some scrap glass, so why not use it?

The crushing glass experiment required using a clean plastic bucket, placing pieces of glass in the bucket, and using a 2x4 (trimmed a bit) to pound the glass to break it into smaller pieces. I sorted them into small, medium, and large containers. I have a frit maker with various screen sizes that I also used to get smaller pieces of glass and powder.

For this project, I piled shades of blue, green, and clear on a lined shelf and fused them without a dam. The set point temperature was too low to move the glass like in boiling. I didn't dam the glass since the goal was to depict an underwater scene. I hoped the edges would expand into ripples. After fusing, I added black powder to the top to form a manta ray and fused the piece again. The end result is the piece measures approximately 9.25" x 8.5" x .25".

Boiled Glass with Background Image

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 14:08:25 GMT

Boiled Glass Panel with

Background Image

Image of my teacher, Narcissus Quagliata, in a boiled glass panel.

I am still experimenting with boiling glass in my kiln. My teacher, Narcissus Quagliata (NQ) is working with his son, Orfeo Quagliata, to show us how Orfeo boils glass in a large kiln resulting in magnificent effects and glass pieces. His portfolio ranges from intricate sculptures, and countertops, to functional objects, each bearing his visionary approach to glass artistry. Through their mastery of form and light, Orfeo and Narcissus Quagliata have redefined the possibilities of working with glass.

To start this project I drew an image of Narcissus Quagliata on clear glass using enamel paint. The panel was fused and used as the base for adding broken transparent glass. The colors used were shades of blue, light purple, clear, green, (including green lace), and a few strips of amber.

The piece measures 6.5" x 8.75" and is approximately .5" thick, and weighs 2 lbs 9 oz. I dammed the project by forming fiber paper (1/8" thick) and blocking it with ceramic posts to hold the glass. No leakage of glass. The build sat on a Papyrus sheet on a kiln shelf.

The glass was level. If I had made one side lower than the other, there would have been more movement of glass. The unexpected results were what appeared to be part of his glasses distorted and enlarged. However, looking closely, I can see his glasses below that piece of amber which reacted to the blue. Even though I placed clear glass between the amber and blue hoping to block a reaction, it failed to work. If you look above his head you can see a part of the amber glass piece reacting. That too had clear beneath the amber which moved and the amber partially reacted. I wonder if this small strip’s change in formation and position is related to the glasses on the base layer.

After boiling the glass, there were sharp edges of glass along the top and corners of the piece. I ground those down and fire-polished the piece. I am considering cutting the piece with a saw with another fire polish to follow.

Predicting the outcome of boiling glass isn't easy. Orfeo has been boiling glass for over 20 years and can usually predict the results of color reactions and glass movement. But when working with glass, it seems there is always a surprise.

Glass Fusing Disaster – Unexpected Results

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Fri, 24 May 2024 21:23:41 GMT

Fusing Schedule Disaster

Unexpected Results

When fusing glass art, a fusing schedule plays a crucial role in the finished piece. However, even the best-laid plans can go awry.

I recently placed two pieces in my kiln that were screen-printed with EZ Fire Enamel. I was shocked when I opened the kiln. I have never had a fusing result like this. The two layers of glass contracted and expanded losing its form. In the center of the area painted with enamel was a huge bubble. It reminded me of a printer's loupe.

At first, I thought there was something wrong with the kiln. Then it dawned on me that I had multiple schedules for firing enamel paint. Duh, I chose the wrong schedule. The one I should have chosen was for fusing the paint and slumping the piece in one firing. I chose the one for fusing enamel paint as an under painting, a very different schedule.

My kiln has dozens of fusing schedules. What I learned is to slow down and search through all of the schedules before starting one. Perhaps renaming all of the enamel schedules to something that brings them all together in the schedule panel would help.

This Cat plate is what I hoped for. Screen printing with enamel and a single fuse.

Exploring the Art of Boiling Glass in a Kiln

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Thu, 23 May 2024 17:08:27 GMT

Exploring the Art of Boiling Glass

Glass has always been a captivating medium for artists to express their creativity and craftsmanship. One technique that has gained popularity is boiling glass in a kiln. This unique method allows artists to create mesmerizing patterns and textures that add depth and character to their glass art.

Understanding the Boiling Glass Technique

Boiling glass involves heating glass in a kiln to a temperature where it becomes soft/liquid and moves. This process requires careful control of temperature and timing to achieve the desired effects.

Materials and Equipment

To begin my journey into boiling glass, my kiln has limitations in how high the temperature can go 1700F. So my first attempt at boiling glass, I took it to 1470, the recommended temperature for the dam mold I used.

Preparing the Glass

Before placing the glass in the kiln, it’s crucial to clean it thoroughly to remove any dirt or marker writings that may cause devitrification. Once cleaned, you can add techniques such as layering different colors and sizes of glass, frit, stringers, lace, etc.to create depth and visual interest in your artwork.

Boiling Process

Once the glass is prepared and placed in the kiln within a dammed area, the magic begins. You will need a firing schedule that works with your kiln. It will be different from a full-fuse and will depend on the size of the piece including depth. The hold time will be increased to achieve more movement of the glass.

Cooling and Finishing

After the desired effects are achieved, the glass is slowly cooled to prevent cracking or stress fractures. This process, known as annealing, ensures the glass retains its strength and durability. Once cooled, the glass artwork can be further refined through processes like grinding, polishing, or even additional kiln firings.

I used a round dam mold to hold the broken glass and frit. After fusing, I cleaned the glass again and draped the glass over another mold creating a vessel.

My next attempt at boiling glass will include taking the kiln up to 1650 degrees. I won't use a mold but place the glass on the shelf and create a dam to contain the glass movement. I am nervous about pushing it to the kiln's maximum temperature so I won't go to 1700. The thicker the glass, the higher the temperature you will need. I can't replicate this piece but I can break the glass the same way and see how more heat affects the glass .... fewer defined edges, more movement of the glass, etc.

Second Attempt at Boiling Glass

Here is my second attempt at boiling glass. I used many layers, and colors - some reactive, lace, frit, powders, etc. to see how they would affect the movement of glass, patterns, and colors. Adding reactive glass to the mix resulted in some interesting spidering effects. I placed overlapping fiber paper around the glass and used ceramic furniture (blocks) to create a dam. However, a small amount of glass flowed beyond the dam and wedged between two blocks ... see the broken corner and pieces of glass in the photo to the right. The maximum fusing temperature was 1650 degrees. This slab measures 7"x 9"x .5" thick and weighs approximately 3 pounds. The next test will be to use fewer colors and only transparent glass.

Creating a Realistic Blue Jay Feather Using Powdered Glass

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:44:55 GMT

Creating a Lifelike Blue Jay Feather

Using Powdered Glass

I love birds and decided to try to make a realistic blue jay feather in glass. Creating a glass blue jay feather is a delicate and intricate process that requires skill and precision. I have found that working with glass powder and frit can result in beautiful glass art but also can be daunting. Laying down too much or too little powder can lead to unexpected results.

My goal was to replicate the natural beauty of a blue jay feather using glass materials, resulting in a stunning and unique piece of art. For this project, I used Glass Bird Modeling Glass to create the structure and glass powders to add color and pattern.

This process requires mixing glass powder with dry and wet binders, kneading the mixture, flattening it and cutting a shape. After the piece is dry, cold work, sift powders and draw lines in the feather, then fuse.

I chose a schedule that would result in whiter whites and a glossy finish. (See above photo - feather on piece of Cholla.) To attempt getting the feather to a feather-like shape instead of flat, I used wire mesh to slump the piece. The result isn't bad for the first time working with modeling glass and powders but it's too glossy for my taste. So, I created another feather and used a different schedule to provide a matt finish and more relief along with a whiter white.

My goal was that the final result would be a breathtaking blue jay glass feather, capturing the beauty and intricacy of the natural world in a unique and artistic way.

For the second attempt at a glass feather, instead of cobalt blue glass powder, I used mariner blue and fused using a different schedule. The white tip turned out gray and the blue was two light. So I sifted a thin

layer of adventurine blue on the feather, added white and clear powder to the tip and fused it again, then slumped it on the wire mesh. The feather's dimensions shrank more than 20% going through the 3 fuse sessions.

Paint Pour on Fused Glass: A Creative Technique for Stunning Glass Art

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 21:47:09 GMT

Paint Pour on Fused Glass: A Creative

Technique for Stunning Glass Art

Fused glass is a captivating art form that involves melting layers of colored glass together to create unique and intricate designs. Glass artists have been experimenting with various techniques to enhance the beauty of fused glass, and one such technique gaining popularity is paint pouring.

Paint pouring is a mesmerizing art form involving pouring different colors of acrylic paint onto a canvas or other flat surface to create abstract patterns. This technique has been widely used on various mediums, including wood, canvas, and ceramics. However, in recent years, artists have discovered its potential on fused glass as well. (Please note that acrylic paint is not used when pouring paint on glass as it is not to be fired in a kiln. There are other types of paint, including enamel that are used for fused glass.)

The process of paint pouring on fused glass starts with preparing the glass surface. The glass needs to be perfectly clean and free from any oils or residues. This can be achieved by wiping the glass with rubbing alcohol mixed with water. Once the glass is clean, it is essential to ensure that it lies on a flat surface to avoid any movement during the pour.

Next, the paint is mixed with a pouring medium to achieve the desired consistency. I used Big Mouth Paint from AAE Glass. After the paint and medium are well mixed and poured, one can add various additives like silicone oil or alcohol to create intriguing cells and lacing effects.

Now comes the exciting part – the pour! For the piece above, I mixed four different colors of paint in layers in a cup and poured it onto the glass. I used a flip cup, dirty pour technique to achieve various effects and textures on the glass.

As the paint is poured onto the glass, it starts to spread and merge, creating beautiful patterns and blending of colors. Various tools like skewers or blow dryers can be used to manipulate the paint and design effects. I also tilted the piece of glass at different angles to achieve more painterly effects. The paint will continue to flow and shift even after it is poured, so it's important to be patient and allow the design to evolve naturally.

I've painted scenes on glass with a brush and painted images by loading a string with paint and pulling it across the glass, before fusing the piece. In this case, it was my first pour on clear glass. The paint dried with a few cracks, but the fusing schedule obviously needs adjusting since there are gaps through most of the piece. So, I decided to complete the project by making it a candle holder to see how the light from a candle would show through the piece. Comments it has received include "cool", "beautiful", "unique", "wow, how did you do that?"..

Bottle to Clock: Unleash Your Creativity with Repurposing!

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 15:45:29 GMT

Bottle to Clock: Unleash Your Creativity with Repurposing!

By combining the functionality of a clock with the aesthetic appeal of a flattened glass bottle, one can create a unique and visually striking timepiece. We selected a green sherry bottle that suited the desired style and size needed. We removed all labels and thoroughly cleaned the bottle before fusing it in our kiln. We drilled a hole in the bottle and added the clock movement and hands.

This fusion not only transformed the bottle into a base for a functional clock but also added a touch of charm and character to a living space. The end result is an attractive and functional piece of art that serves as a reminder of the importance of repurposing and recycling.

Makin' glass, how hard can it be?

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 14:31:33 GMT

Makin' glass, how hard can it be?

Tim Carey visits Bulls Eye Glass Factory and gets a hands on experience.

Making glass can vary in difficulty depending on the specific method and equipment used. Generally, the process of making glass involves melting raw materials such as sand, soda ash, and limestone at high temperatures, and then rapidly cooling the molten material to create solid glass.

The difficulty arises from the precise control of temperature and timing to ensure the correct chemical composition and the desired physical properties of the glass. The process requires specialized equipment such as furnaces, molds, and annealing ovens, as well as skilled technicians who understand the science and art of glassmaking.

While the basic technique of making glass can be learned, it takes years of experience and practice to master the craft. Additionally, certain types of glass such as lead crystal or colored glass may require additional steps or techniques, making them more challenging to produce. At Bulls Eye, they use gold and potatoes to create some sheets of glass.

Overall, making glass can be considered a moderately difficult process that requires specific knowledge, skills, and resources.

Understanding the process for making the glass materials and the process a glass artist uses to create a glass piece, helps to explain the cost.

Painting with Glass Powder

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:09:39 GMT

Painting with Glass Powders

My second assignment in the Painting with Glass Masterclass, Vol III was to move from sketching with glass to creating a glass painting.

I chose to create a glass art piece depicting a wildfire's aftermath. It can be a powerful way to express the impact of nature. By using various materials and techniques such as fusing glass powders, I worked to capture the essence of the scorched landscape that follows.

Incorporating vibrant colors reminiscent of fire and charred textures can evoke the intensity of the fire. The final glass art can serve as a reminder of the destructive force of wildfires on our environment.

Sketching with Glass

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 15:46:11 GMT

Sketching with Glass

Glass Sketch (not glass art)

Sketching with glass is a technique that involves drawing or sketching on glass using various materials, such as enamel paints, markers, glass powder, frit, and premade materials such as lace, stackers, sliders, and stringers. The process can be complex, requiring a great deal of skill and precision which can be improved upon to make it a finished piece of art. The glass sketch is fused to test colors, reactions, etc. before making a larger piece.

I am studying under Narcissus Quagliata and our latest assignment is to sketch with glass. Our assignments have included making stackers, sliders, lace, and other material for future use in our artwork. This sketch with glass project was to create a sketch using materials without spending more than 45 minutes. In other words, the piece is not intended to be a final piece of art.

My first sketch, my choice, was the eye of the tiger. It involved first painting with enamel paint the black areas on clear glass and fusing it. Secondly, glass powder, fine frit, and 2-bent stringers were added, and the piece was fused again. This rough sketch will need additional work to make it a piece of art. I have 2 more glass sketches to complete the assignment.

Using Slurry Powder in Fused Glass Art

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 16:33:21 GMT

Using Powder Slurry in Glass Art

Fused glass is a unique form of art where glass is melted at high temperatures to create beautiful and intricate designs. The fused glass bird is one design that has become increasingly popular over the years. I've created fused glass birds as tree ornaments and sun catchers.

When creating my fused glass bird for display on a plant stake, I used a powder slurry, which is a mixture of ground glass (powder) and water or other liquid binders. The powder slurry can be applied to a piece of glass to create unique designs and patterns.

The process of creating a fused glass bird using powder slurry begins with a sketch or a design that will be used as a guide. The glass is then cleaned, cut, and prepped for the process. The powder slurry is prepared by mixing a glass powder with a liquid binder that can be water, alcohol, or glycerin. In this project, I used water as a binder. The mixture should be smooth but not too thick so it can be easily applied. I used a plastic spoon and brush to lay down the slurry on the clear glass shaped like a bird.

Once the powder slurry has been applied to the glass, additional design elements such as glass frit, stringers, and enamels can be added to add color and texture to the bird. I used cut glass to form the beak and eye on one of the birds.

The glass with the powder slurry and design elements is then placed in a kiln and fired to a full fuse. During this process, the glass fuses together and the powder slurry melts and spreads out, creating a unique design. The time and temperature will vary depending on the thickness of the glass, the kiln used, and the desired effect.

Fused glass birds can be displayed in a variety of ways. They can be hung in the window as a sun catcher, placed in a garden on a stake, or placed in a decorative planted pot for display. They also make excellent gifts for bird lovers, gardeners, and those who appreciate unique and beautiful art.

From Stackers to Sculptures

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 21:33:41 GMT

Using Stackers in Glass Art

It started with creating a stacker. You might ask what's a stacker? It's a random stacking of pieces of cut fusible glass on a kiln shelf. Different sizes, cuts and colors fused with the hopes of transforming the glass into a material that can be used in a project. Ramp speeds, temps and hold times play a big role in the fused material.

Stacker in kiln before and after fusing.

The new piece of stacked glass is thick and where clear glass overlayed colors, there is a slight dilution of color (white turns to gray). Where clear glass overlays-crosses an opening it appears to be a small window. As you can see there is a transformation of glass, a movement. Instead of cutting the stacker to get various shapes, I decided to drape it over a form to see how the glass would move and form glass art. The coloration reminds me of bovines. This piece can be used as a candle holder.

Working Through Crustacean Frustration

Sun, 22 Jan 2023 02:45:39 GMT

Working through Crustacean Frustration

Living on and swimming a reef for 5 years was wondrous. The corals, colors and marine life observed is great inspiration for my fused glass projects.

Finally finding the courage to tackle making a fused glass crab that has dimension and appears to be standing instead of a flat piece required a lot of work. Even the greatest of glass artists will tell you that you can't always predict the end result of fusing a project. How much will the glass expand or contract? Will the colors hold true, etc.?

This project started with cutting more than 100 pieces of glass in various shapes and sizes. The body and legs consisted of 3 layers of glass. The shell consisted of 2 layers of glass. The eyes were made separately.

The center part of the crab is 5 layers deep. There were 4 fusing sessions (over 80 hours in the kiln) required to make the crab. Each body part required grinding due to volume expansion. Without grinding, the crab pieces would not have connected and fused properly resulting in a somewhat unidentifiable object.

My next attempt at making a crab will be a blue crab. I will try tweaking the fusing schedule to see if it will help to cut back on the hours and hours of grinding each piece to fit.

Learn How Glass is Made

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 19:00:10 GMT

Bullseye Glass Factory Tour

& Narcissus Quagliata

What I have learned is that creating glass both in sheets and as a piece of art is both art and science. The Bulls Eye video explains the process for making sheets of glass. I've watched blown glass art made at Simon Pierce and see a similarity in the heating and shaping of glass.

I am currently enrolled in the Narcissus Quagliata Masterclass for transforming glass and using light for imagery. It's a different approach to making fused glass art. I have produced landscapes by cutting glass, placing and fusing, as well as, painting glass with acrylic paint and/or enamel paint and fusing. I hope to advance my skills using his technique in future projects.

About Narcissus Quagliata
Narcissus Quagliata is considered one of the most significant contemporary glass artists in the world and he is a phenomenal teacher. Working with Bullseye Glass, he gets credit for the development of compatible fusible glass, fine frit, and more. And he is best known for his spectacular public space artwork that includes:

The Dome of Light: Wind, Fire, and Time is the world's largest, illuminated glass dome. You will find it in the Central Station of the newly built Kaohsiung Rapid Transit metro system. It has become a landmark and a tourist destination in Southern Taiwan. (See image on right.)

Another commission includes the captivating glass dome for the entry rotunda of the basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, built by Mychelangelo on the Roman ruins of the Baths of Diocletian in Rome. He is well known for the use of light within the space, showing the movement and alignment of the celestial bodies.

Blue Bubbly Fused Glass Vase

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 19:44:43 GMT

Blue Bubbly Glass Vase

As time goes by, a glass artist has a huge collection of end cuts. When visualizing future projects, I often look through my inventory of end cuts to see what and how they can be used.

A lover of marine life, I thought of diving and bubbles whether they are from divers or sea creatures. So this project began by cutting strips of glass and nipping squares. Using tweezers, I covered a kiln shelf carefully so that the glass pieces did not touch their neighbor. The pieces fused to "dots" of various sizes. The bubbles were scooped off the shelf, placed in a colander, washed, dried, and placed in a storage container.

The next step included cutting an irregular-shape circle (wavy) in both the transparent blue swirl glass and clear. The two layers were aligned, placed on the kiln shelf, and each glass bubble was carefully placed on the glass, rounded side up and again a safe distance from its neighbor. Then those three layers were fused. The following day after cooling, I cleaned the glass and refired it to get its organic shape.

I am very pleased with the results as this piece can serve as glass art, a candle holder or add a floral pin and flowers. It makes a beautiful and interesting vase.

Painting with Glass Powder

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 19:22:45 GMT

Creating a Colorful Abstract Bowl

I wanted to create a colorful glass abstract bowl, a one-of-a-kind piece of glass art that could be functional.

I started with cutting a rectangular piece of persimmon glass as well as a base of clear. In previous pieces, I loved how the persimmon and turquoise colors worked together and often created a gradient. But that effect was created by using only glass powder and sifting one color next to or over the other, multiple times. For this project I used opaque art glass and glass powder. The painting was created by using a paint brush to draw the pattern in the glass powder.

Since this was an odd shape for any mold I have, I decided to drape it over an abstract draping mold. Since it was a different cut than what should be used, the glass draped to a slightly different form, more open with fewer sections.

It's a very interesting piece that can serve as glass art, a candle holder or a countertop bowl.for fruits and veggies.

Glass Jellyfish Wind Chime

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 15:23:35 GMT

Jellyfish Wind Chime

A lover of marine life and creating fused glass functional art, I decided to try creating a glass jellyfish wind chime. I had no idea how much work was involved.

The project started with creating clear glass blobs in various sizes. This included cutting, grinding, cleaning, and fusing the glass pieces. Next step was to cut two layers of glass (clear and transparent purple) for the hood. The two pieces were stacked and some of the blobs were added along with coarse clear frit. The idea being that the blobs would look like cells or air bubbles. The flat was then fused to get its shape.

Next step was cutting the tentacles with a slight wave in each. The eight tentacles were fused in separate sessions.

Assembly included drilling a hole in the hood and each of the tentacles. A wire mesh square was cut and the sharp ends were nipped off. Instead of using fishing line in assembly, I chose to use a metal hoop and chain for hanging the wind chime. The tentacles hang from fishing swivels which were cut to be shorter.

This project was time consuming and expensive to make but the end result is a beautiful wind chime that has a wonderful tinkling sound. Very relaxing.

I made a second wind chime with a different approach. I used opaque blue glass with a different style of tentacles. The blobs are transparent in shades of blue and coarse frit was also added to the piece. I am happy with this piece as well.

Fused glass jellyfish wind chimes can be hung indoors or outdoors. Outdoor options would be to hang it from a tree limb, hang within plants, on yard art, or by the pool. Just think of the possibilities.

Glass Powder Art Challenge

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Thu, 19 May 2022 22:42:03 GMT

Glass Powder Art Challenge

Trying to create a piece of glass art using powder has proved to be challenging. I've had some success with a few pieces, but this one took me in a different direction.

Measuring approximately 6.25" x 6.25", this piece required sifting multiple layers of glass powder and then cutting through the powder with a blade. It was then fused for about 18 hours. The next step would have been to cold work the piece, flip it over and sift multiple layers of powder and fuse it again. If additional cold working isn't required, then fuse again to form its shape.

The aqua and mariner blue glass powder has a gentle gradation of colors. The openings and lines (ridges) and ruffled edge, similar to a sand dollar, was a pleasant surprise. I didn't want to lose the results by flipping the piece and fusing again. So Instead of a small dish or candle holder it became wall art. It can also be displayed on an easel as shown above.

Working with glass requires design, building, fusing, reviewing results, and modifying the process to get the desired results. It's similar to building prototypes and field testing.

Fusion Glass Jellyfish Drip

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Thu, 19 May 2022 22:26:26 GMT

Dripping Glass Fusion Jellyfish Sculpture

This dripping glass fusion jellyfish sculpture was an interesting project. The goal was to have the tentacles drip down from the hood and create a base for display.

Measuring approximately 6” x 4.25”, this beautiful transparent glass sculpture consists of 5 layers of glass. I made a form using rigidized SilkeMat on which the 5 layers of glass were stacked and as the glass melted, gravity played a big role in forming the tentacles. When sunlight hits the glass, it sparkles like tiny diamonds.

I plan to create a similar piece using more glass in a variety of colors. The kiln Gods were good to me on this project. Glass is expensive and projects take a lot of time .... this piece is a keeper. However, it has a new home and a new owner.

Air Plant Holder Pocket Vase

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 20:09:25 GMT

Pocket Vase Experiment

I recently made several types of air plant holders. Starting with a small dish container filled with pebbles and then I tried my hand at wall panels with acrylic painted scenes as the backdrop. The classy black glass panel with black glass hoop included an abstract flower painted by pulling string loaded with acrylic paint across the glass to get the desired effect.

Loving Southwest decor and Indian art, I painted a southwest scene on glass using acrylic paints applied with sponges and a brush. A complimentary color glass hoop was fused and glued to the panel. The air plant completes the scene.

This latest air plant holder includes a pocket vase. This required cutting a glass circle and cutting a curve at the top of the circle to provide a better opening for the plant. Next, I shaped a ball of fiber blanket and balanced the circle of glass on top of the blanket resting on the glass panel.

After lifting the kiln lid, I was slightly disappointed to see that the fiber blanket failed to fill the glass as it melted resulting in a less than perfect shape. It could be that the glass shifted during the fusing session or the fiber blanket reduced in size. I had hoped the plant holder would represent a vase or Indian pottery. However, it holds water so it functions as it should but water isn't needed for air plants.

This piece is holding an air plant in my glass studio. For the next piece, I will create a mold using SilkeMat to achieve a more uniform shape.

Get a Quick View of our air plant holders.

Semi-Flattened Bottle

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 14:36:18 GMT

Semi-Flattened Vinegar Bottle

We've had successes and failures in

flattening and slumping bottles.

Kilns fire differently and matching the coefficient (rate of expansion) of glass and the firing schedule is critical to success. I'm all in for recycling but the unknown coefficient of a bottle can deliver unexpected results.

I searched the web and found that a bottle’s composition is often dictated by the beverage manufacturer's desired results for thermal performance in warming and cooling environments. With this bit of info, I experimented with flattening a vinegar bottle that included print on the glass (not a label). A concern was if the bottle was flattened using our preferred schedule, what would happen to the print? Would it distort, lift or flake-off? What would the results be if the bottle was slumped in a mold?

I created a different bottle flattening schedule with reduced ramp, target temperatures, and hold times. The bottle's neck was positioned on a ceramic bar to form a handle with the remainder of the bottle lying flat on the kiln shelf. Next to the vinegar bottle rested a beer bottle.

The end result was a pleasant surprise. The text impression on the beer bottle did not distort or lose clarity. The print on the vinegar bottle was crisp with no distortion or flaking. The bottle looked as if it had been semi-slumped; it had curves and a slope just as if it had been fired in a mold.

Each of the bottles can be used as a spoon rest or as a small dish. I find their gentle curves and valleys more attractive than the standard flattened bottle.

I will try another run at fusing bottles using a slightly tweaked schedule with the hopes of getting a more defined handle with less bulk.

Your thoughts ... preferences .... tips? Please leave your comment below. Thanks!

Plaid & Glass Weave Projects

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 23:48:30 GMT

Creating Woven & Plaid Glass

Every new glass technique starts with trial and error.

The above project is my first attempt at weaving glass.

The Woven Glass Project

It started with cutting blue and green strips and fusing the strips over six ceramic bars measuring 3/8" wide by 6" long. The blue and green strips were placed on the kiln shelf over the ceramic bars, 1/4" apart, being careful to keep the end's overhang the same for all strips.

Next, I cut a clear back plate and then placed the fused blue and green strips on the plate, flipping every other strip to create channels. For contrast, I cut white strips and orange stringers and wove with the blue and green strips.

Two additional rounds of fusing included a tack fuse of the plate and glass weave and a slump fuse of the slab to create the swoop dish.

The Plaid-Style Project

The plaid-style plate consists of 3 layers of glass and 22 strips of blue, green transparent, and opaque yellow glass. The base is made of clear glass and the two layers are stacked on top of the base.

I love the results, the transparency and the colors.

Acrylic String Painting

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Thu, 28 May 2020 19:15:53 GMT

Acrylic String Painting
On Glass

The String Experiment

As a former acrylic painter, I've been fascinated with acrylic pours, as well as string and chain pulls on canvas.

The photo above is my first attempt at string pull painting on glass. The piece has two layers of glass measuring 4" x 8.5". Materials used include acrylic paint, COE96 glass, and cotton string. I approached the abstract design by loading paint onto a string and placing it on a piece of black glass. Then I slowly pulled the string in one direction to see what shapes would form. The lucky thing about working with glass is if you don't like the results of the pull, you can wash the acrylic paint off and start over. That is, if it hasn't been fused.

I have a few fusing schedules using acrylic and enamel paints so I stacked the black painted piece of glass on a clear piece and full fused. The results were better than expected. Not having a wide selection of acrylic colors, I used peach, marine blue and white. The colors don't exactly pop against black so I created two additional pieces, one black with more paint loaded on the string and one piece of white glass painting with brown, peach, and marine blue paint. ( See a string painting on white glass .)

More paint in various colors should be here in a few days and I will create a few more pieces. If you're interested in learning more about this process, please check back.

(Glass is very difficult to photograph, reflections being a huge problem. The above photo is cropped to fit within the blog format.)

Painting & Screen Printing

nancy@oasisgrafx.com (Nancy Sheridan ) — Fri, 15 May 2020 09:50:19 GMT

Painting with Acrylics &
Screen Printing Fused Glass

Working with warm glass is always an adventure. I've been thinking a lot about nature and the types of pieces and techniques I could use for glass projects.

The above Turtle Dish was my second glass painting project. The first was the Cloisonné poppy tray that was painted with a toothpick after engraving the glass.

The turtle dish consists of 2 layers of glass. The top layer was primed with acrylic paint and after drying, coats of blended acrylic paints were applied with sponges of various sizes. The 2 pieces were fused to form a slab and fuse the paint. The next step was to print the turtle on the glass using enamel paint, then back into the kiln to mature the paint and slump the piece to the dish.

More pieces using this technique are scheduled.

Creating with Scrap Glass

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 16:14:10 GMT

Creating with Scrap Glass

A Touch of Scrap

Setting-up my glass studio took a great deal of thought and quite frankly, expense. After one glass lesson at our local art center, I knew I wanted to give it a run. I purchased a Jen Ken Kiln, some tools and glass. Oh yes, I read several books and watched a load of videos and learned working with glass is both art and science.

There is an amazing selection of glass to work with, some of it is quite expensive so after cutting sheets for projects, I tend to save the scrap hoping to make it part of a future project.

The above tray and plates include scrap glass.

I also nip long skinny scraps to small squares and place them around a project being fused. I found that fusing them as part of a contour fuse yields better results. The pieces become rounded and sparkle.

Working with glass is both time consuming and expensive but the end result is well worth the investment. Creating and fusing glass has become my passion.

Cloisonné Glass Technique

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 19:10:28 GMT

Trying the Cloisonné Technique
on Fused Glass

Adventurer or Experimenter?

Some would say I am an adventurer. I've lived on a reef in the Caribbean, traveled here and there and have been self-employed a good part of my life.

Since stepping into the kiln-formed glass world, I've become an experimenter. When I think about my next glass creation, I often look for a different technique to achieve a certain look. I've watched a number of videos and stumbled onto Cloisonné, an ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects. Tanya Veit of AAE Glass developed a cloisonné technique for fusing glass so I thought it could be an interesting project.

In Tanya's video she shows how to paint with wet enamel and dry enamel after engraving a piece. I purchased an 18K gold transfer from AAE glass and followed the steps in her video .... well, not exactly. After firing the transfer onto the contour fused slab, I engraved the glass in selected areas. I used a toothpick instead of a paint brush to apply wet enamel paint and used her schedule for firing the enamel and slumping the slab in one session.

I plan to create another piece using her technique or one that is slightly modified.

Painting with Glass

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 15:57:20 GMT

Painting with Glass

Fusing an Ocean View

As a lover of beaches and time on the water, I wondered how I could create glass pieces with an ocean view. The answer was in my glass inventory. Instead of working with powdered glass, I found three sheets of glass that could be cut and fused to make the above tray which can also stand on its edge as decorative art. At the same time, I created the " Beach Bundle " .... coasters and plates that can be paired with the ocean view tray.

I'm amazed at the variety of glass that's available. Careful glass selection opens the door to new creations using glass textures, streaks and patterns to paint a scene.

A Music Lover's Request

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 04:00:00 GMT

A Music Lover's Request

What a fun project!

I actually started working with kiln-formed glass in October 2019 and began placing my creations on Etsy in December of 2019. In conversation with a customer who wanted a special gift for her piano teacher. I suggested creating a piano keyboard, forming it to a wave, and creating a glass stand for it to sit.

I had just finished a piano keyboard tray and was confident that I could accomplish this even though I was new to kiln-formed glass. The keyboard was flawless. But my first run at the glass stand contained rows of air bubbles. So, instead of wasting the 2 sheets of glass that made up the stand, I placed it back on the fiberboard used to form the stand, fused it again and most of the bubbles disappeared. It's normal for fused glass to contain bubbles. What I learned is that you can fuse a piece again to correct a problem but there are a number of things to consider before refusing. e.g. transparent colors can opalize or colors can turn muddy. I currently sift a thin layer of clear glass powder between the two-layers of glass to reduce the chance of bubbles forming.

My customer was delighted with the results and presented her teacher with the gift which was happily received. She let me know that at her last piano lesson, she saw the piano keyboard sculpture sitting on her teacher's grand piano.

Fused Glass Project Articles

Sea Nymph in Glass

“Bringing a Sea Nymph to Life: A Fused Glass Portrait in Powder and Enamel”

Glass Powder Slider Candle Holder

Making a Glass Candle Holder with a Glass Powder Slider

How to Care for Fused Glass Objects

Keeping Your Fused Glass Sparkling: A Guide to Care

Understanding Fused Glass

General Care Tips

Cleaning Fused Glass

Display and Storage

Special Considerations

Bulls Eye Cascade Glass Project

Bullseye Cascade Glass & Reactions

What is Bullseye cascade sheet glass?

What Is Striker Glass?

What I learned.

Creating a Color Palette for Bulls Eye Glass

How to Create a Bullseye Glass Color Palette

for Your Designs Using Photoshop

Dichroic Glass CBS Tour

Exploring the Beauty and Versatility of Dichroic Glass in Glass Art

What Is Dichroic Glass?

How Is Dichroic Glass Used in Glass Art?

Techniques for Working with Dichroic Glass

Why Artists Love Dichroic Glass

Fused Glass Stand Production

Glass Stand Design & Production

Designing and Making a Fused Glass Stand

Design Considerations

Painting with Powder

Powder Painting

& Glass Boil Project

Interpreting Fear in Glass Art

Interpreting Fear of Running Out of Time in Glass

Steps to Create the Glass Panel

What did I learn?

Crushed Glass Experiment

Crushing Glass to Make an Image

Boiled Glass with Background Image

Boiled Glass Panel with

Background Image

Glass Fusing Disaster – Unexpected Results

Fusing Schedule Disaster

Unexpected Results

Exploring the Art of Boiling Glass in a Kiln

Exploring the Art of Boiling Glass

Materials and Equipment

Preparing the Glass

Boiling Process

Cooling and Finishing

Second Attempt at Boiling Glass

Creating a Realistic Blue Jay Feather Using Powdered Glass

Creating a Lifelike Blue Jay Feather

Using Powdered Glass

Paint Pour on Fused Glass: A Creative Technique for Stunning Glass Art

Paint Pour on Fused Glass: A Creative

Technique for Stunning Glass Art

Bottle to Clock: Unleash Your Creativity with Repurposing!

Bottle to Clock: Unleash Your Creativity with Repurposing!

Makin' glass, how hard can it be?

Makin' glass, how hard can it be?

Painting with Glass Powder

Painting with Glass Powders

Sketching with Glass

Sketching with Glass

Using Slurry Powder in Fused Glass Art

Using Powder Slurry in Glass Art

From Stackers to Sculptures

Using Stackers in Glass Art

Working Through Crustacean Frustration

Working through Crustacean Frustration

Learn How Glass is Made

Bullseye Glass Factory Tour

﻿ & Narcissus Quagliata

Blue Bubbly Fused Glass Vase

Blue Bubbly Glass Vase

Painting with Glass Powder

Creating a Colorful Abstract Bowl

Glass Jellyfish Wind Chime

Making a Glass Candle Holder
with a Glass Powder Slider

Keeping Your Fused Glass Sparkling:
A Guide to Care

Glass Stand Design
& Production

Interpreting Fear of Running
Out of Time in Glass

& Narcissus Quagliata

Acrylic String Painting
On Glass

Painting with Acrylics &
Screen Printing Fused Glass

Trying the Cloisonné Technique
on Fused Glass