Last week I performed a few glass fusing tests. Each was quite different. This project is based on just one of those tests. I regularly recommend that it’s well worth making tests, just to see what happens, especially if you’re about to try something new. This project demonstrates the value of tests.
The Video
In the video description, you will find links to related videos, a chapter list with time stamps, and links to more resources.
Project Information
This project was inspired by one of the tests last week. The third one used clear strips on a vanilla base. This gave a dilution to the Vanilla which resulted in shading within the glass. Very 3D.
The glass used is Bullseye 90 COE. The colours are 3 mm 1116 Turquoise and 3 mm 0137 French Vanilla coarse frit. The base is 3 mm Tekta.
The size of the piece was determined by some offcut glass but came in at 13 cm x 13 cm (5.1 inches).
It was restrained from spreading when fused with dams around the sides. The dams I used are pieces of an old kiln shelf I cut up. The shelf and the sides of the dams were lined with Thinfire paper.
Some Thoughts
Here are a few other options you could try.
You can make this using any colour glass. Not necessarily reactive colours. The frit between the clear glass could be any pattern you desire. Instead of opal, it could all be transparent.
Add a lot more frit. Basically, to cover around the clear pieces on top. This will make a solid pattern around the little clear ponds. You could select colours to create a more realistic image of grass and gravel around the ponds. The base colour could be selected to imitate water much better.
After fusing you could coldwork the edges and add a border. If you try to do it all in one fusing it may work, but the border edges will likely be a bit wobbly after the glass spreads.
Of course, if you make it a suitable size and shape it could be slumped into a mould or draped over a former.
Full Fuse Firing Schedule
- #1 – 222 C (432 F) up to 535 C (995 F), hold 60 minutes
- #2 – 333 C (632 F) up to 805 C (1481 F), hold 5 minutes
- #3 – Full down to 482 C (900 F), hold 90 minutes
- #4 – 65 C (149 F) down to 425 C (797 F), no hold
- #5 – 132 C (270 F) down to 371 C (700 F), no hold