I visited the Stitches and Craft Show nearly 2 weeks ago and treated myself to a glass fusing kit. I bought the beginner's kit as well as a small microwave kiln.
In case you don't already know, glass fusing is simply the process of stacking two or more layers of compatible glass together to make a design, then placing the stacked glass into a kiln, in my case a small ceramic microwave kiln.
The glass is heated in the microwave kiln. The concentrated heat inside the kiln melts the glass up to around 800 degrees to the point where the glass softens or melts together... causing the glass to "fuse".
The glass that I am using is System 96 which has a coefficiency of expansion (COE) of 96... did I sound like I knew what I was talking about then!! Anyway you must use glass with the same compatibility at all times so I am sticking with the System 96 as this seems the most common and readily available glass.
You can also add frit (ground glass in various sizes and colours) to the pieces of glass which will create a speckled appearance on the glass as seen in some of my pieces below.
So here is a picture of the pieces I have made so far.
Alan actually made pieces #1 and #2 ... I think he was just as excited to have a play as I was... but I made the rest. The pieces are numbered in order of being made.
Alan actually made pieces #1 and #2 ... I think he was just as excited to have a play as I was... but I made the rest. The pieces are numbered in order of being made.
I am still trying to figure out firing times and temperatures so am really looking forward to experimenting over the next few days.
Watch this space!!
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