About FUSED Glass
What is Fused Glass?
Fused Glass is one of the three categories of glass art, the other two being Stained Glass and Blown Glass. Fused Glass is created by melting separate pieces of glass into new shapes and objects.
“Fusing” creates objects by melting glass in a kiln. The ancient Egyptians fused glass to create bowls, jewelry and even display pieces. Fusing remained the primary method for working glass until the invention of glass blowing. After that, fusing all but disappeared until the introduction of small, inexpensive kilns made it affordable for artists to fuse glass in independent studios.
Modern fused glass is fired in computer-controlled kilns using glass that is manufactured specifically for fusing.
The Process
I start a piece with a design cut from sheets of glass, assembled, and fired in a kiln. I use a variety of materials to achieve specific effects:
Frits (finely crushed glass) to create painterly effects
Stringer (threads of glass) to create fine lines and details
Rods to create details
Crushed glass to create a mottled effect
Once assembled, the piece is fired to create the initial fused panel. The fused panel is then fired at least once more to create the final shape. Again, I use a variety of firing techniques depending on the piece:
Slumping fires the glass panel in a mold to create shallow pieces like plates, trays, and shallow bowls. Most slumped pieces require no additional work after the final firing.
Drop molding uses a ceramic ring to create deeper pieces. Drop molded pieces must be sawn, sanded, and polished after (sometimes before AND after) firing.
Roll-ups involve collaboration with a glass blower to create cylindrical forms (“rollups”). The initial panel must be specifically designed and fabricated to be made into a rollup. Then, I work directly with the glass blower as the panel is rolled into the final shape. [Check out the Process on Youtube]
Fused Glass Classes
Want to learn to create your own fused glass? I love teaching, and would be thrilled to have you to my studio for a hands-on class.
+ KIDS CLASS | 1 hour
For kids up to age 12
Create:
- One (1) 8” square plate
No glass-cutting experience is necessary
COST: $35 /person
+ QUICK CLASS | 2 hours
Basic cutting skills
Create:
- One (1) 8” square plate
COST: $50 /person
+ HALF DAY CLASS | 4 hours
Learn basic cutting skills
Create:
- One (1) 8” square plate
- 2nd 8” square plate or Two (2) small bowls
COST: $100 /person
+ FULL DAY CLASS | 8 hours
Learn Basic cutting skills
Home-cooked lunch
Create:
- One (1) 8” square plate
- 2nd 8”square plate or Two (2) small bowls
- 12’ square platter or 12’ bowl
COST: $200 /person
+ TWO-DAY CLASS | 16 hours
Learn Basic cutting skills
Home-cooked lunch
Day One
Create:
- One (1) 8” square plate
- 2nd 8”square plate or Two (2) small bowls
- 12’ square platter or 12’ bowl
Day Two
Create your *CHOICE** of:
- Set or series of plates or bowls
or- Single large piece
COST: $400 /person
For those who live in this area, I would highly recommend scheduling a 16-hour workshop on 2 days separated by at least a week. These days are pretty exhausting, and having the two days a week apart would give you time to think about what you want to accomplish on the second day. It would also make it possible to obtain sufficient amounts of colors you want. You could even go to Bullseye Glass in Portland to make your selections and to go on a factory tour. Splitting the days would also make it much easier to get my prep work done ahead of time rather than you having to wait for me to get it done during the class.
* The second day is an opportunity for you to create a set or series of plates or bowls. Or you could create a single large piece. The choice will be yours, with the proviso that I think it is feasible to get it done in the time we have together.
Additional Resources
FUSED GLASS CLASSES
D&L Art Glass is in Denver, Colorado, and offers classes.
Bullseye Glass offer classes at all of their locations.
Ed Hoy is west of Chicago and offers classes.
FUSED GLASS SUPPLIEs
Bullseye Glass has stores in Portland, Oregon; Mamaroneck, New York; Los Angeles; Emeryville, California, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. They have a vast amount of information and resources, including informational videos.
COLOR SAMPLES
To make precise color matches, obtain samples from Bullseye Glass. These can be purchased online. I do not have all their colors in my studio, but can obtain whatever color you request.
These samples are 2” squares, and are either 2mm or 3 mm thick. Which thickness will make no difference for opaque colors, but if you are selecting a background transparent color, I would suggest getting one 2mm and two 3mm samples, so that you can see the affect of different thicknesses of that color. For darker transparent colors, just one sample of each thickness will be sufficient.