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| Glass Fusing | ||
| Fused glass is "glass that has been heated in a kiln to the point where two separate pieces are permanently joined without losing their individual color". So, it's like the separate pieces of glass melt together but do not mix. | ||
| If you would like to read about the history of glass fusing, HERE is a good article I found. | ||
| Let's talk about the process of making a fused glass jewelry piece. | ||
| Different glass artists have different ways to create their work but the basics stay the same. | ||
| Everything starts with sheets of glass as you can see in the first photo to the left. The glass comes in transparent and opaque. Both varieties have a grand palette of beautiful colors you can choose from. | ||
| Following the design you have in mind, pieces are cut and stacked 2 to 4 layers high as seen in the second photo. At this time, any desired inclusions need to be added as well. | ||
| Now the glass stacks go through the first firing. The kiln is ramped up to a full fusing temperature that can reach 1500° Fahrenheit. | ||
| Each time the glass is fired, it needs to be annealed. | ||
| Annealing is a process of slow controlled cooling in order to give the glass chance to reach an even temperature throughout the whole glass piece. If this step is skipped, the glass may go into thermal shack, become brittle and, especially larger pieces, may spontaneously crack even months later. | ||
| Each kiln run takes 8-12 hours from start to finish (back to room temperature) depending on the size of the kiln and the type and size of the fused glass pieces. The smaller the kiln, the faster it cools. I have a relatively large kiln, so I tend to fire my pieces over night if I can. | ||
| After the first firing the shape of the glass is not very defined. As you can see in the third photo, I mark the shape and dimension that I want the piece to be and either cut the excess off with the glass saw (photo 4) or grind it down if there isn't too much to be taken away. | ||
| At this point there are two choices. | ||
| The piece can either get re-fired at a lower temperature than the first fuse to create rounded soft edges or it can go through a sequence of ever increasing grid sandpapers until the edges are well defined, smooth and clear. | ||
| The second process is called cold working. | ||
| In the fifth photo you can see a piece that has not yet been cold worked to a finish. Notice the rough sides with their frosted appearance. | ||
| A lapidary wheel, like the one in the next photo, makes cold working easier but it remains a lengthy process. | ||
| The photo below is of a finished cold worked piece and when I see that, it makes it all worthwhile. I really love the edges and the way you can see all the distorted details of the piece from the side. I know I am stating the obvious but cold working makes fused glass really look a lot more like glass. | ||
| Whether cold worked or re-fired, all pieces need a hole drilled to connect the glass to the bail. Once the bail is attached you have a finished fused glass piece ready to adorn someone's neck. | ||
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