Stacked glass forms the basis of not only fused glass jewelry but is also used in many fused glass projects such as plates, dishes, vases etc. In this article, you'll learn how to make such a pendant.
Steps
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Cut three pieces of fusing glass. Make one 1 x 1 1/2" (2.5cm x 3.81cm) square, one 1 x 1 1/4" (2.5cm x 3.17cm) square, and one 1 x 1" (2.5cm x 2.5cm) square. The glass needs to be very clean; even if it looks clean, oils from your fingers or cutting oil can ruin your beautiful project!
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Stack the clean glass pieces evenly on top of one another. This will allow the glass to move more or less evenly as it spreads to its natural thickness of about 1/4" (0.635cm). The glass is now ready to be fused.
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Place the glass in a warm glass kiln making sure it is on a clean shelf, or use thin fire shelf paper to prevent the glass sticking to the shelf.
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Bring the temperature up to about 500°F (260ºC) reasonably quickly. Hold for 5 minutes, then bring up to about 1000°F (538ºC).
- Hold, with the kiln vented, to allow the burnt binder fumes from the shelf paper to escape.
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Close the vent, bring temperature up to about 1500°F (815ºC) and fuse the glass. As this is a small stacked piece, it can be fused fairly quickly.
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Check after about five minutes to see if the glass is beginning to fuse. When fully fused, the glass should be nicely rounded with no sharp edges and with a smooth top surface.
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Open the glass kiln lid or door once the glass has fused, and vent the kiln until the temperature drops to about 1000°F (538ºC). Close the kiln and allow it to cool to room temperature. Be careful of the hot air escaping from the kiln when it is opened. Wear heatproof gloves and dark kiln safety glasses.
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Remove the pendant from the kiln when completely cool.
Tips
- You can use more than three pieces, do not cut the pieces too large as glass will spread as it fuses, glass naturally attempts to reach a thickness of about 1/4" (0.635cm).
- Some glass colors will fuse more slowly than others so that fusing times may vary.
- Do not stack glass too close to the edges as the glass will begin to bulge as it starts to fuse.
- The pieces can be offset and not stacked evenly in order to vary the finished patterns.
- You can vary the size of the glass pieces so as to produce different designs.
- The reverse will happen with two pieces of glass which may pull in to reach a quarter of an inch.
- Polymer clay is an easier and safer substitute for glass in small ornaments such as thesecupcake pendant earrings. Translucent varieties are available; finish with a glaze such as clear nail polish for a glassy look.
Warnings
- Always wear clear safety glasses when cutting glass
- Whenever peering into a hot glass kiln wear dark kiln glasses as hot kilns emit infrared rays. Prolonged exposure to infrared rays may lead to cataracts later. Welders goggles with a number 3 rating with a maximum rating of 5 are suitable. Do not use lamp-working glasses as these will not block infrared rays.
- When working around a hot kiln always wear suitable clothing such as woolen or cotton clothing, avoid synthetic garments. Wear appropriate heatproof gloves.
- Exposing the hot glass to cool air, it can crack. Gradually open the lid of the kiln to give it time to adjust to the temperature change.
Things You'll Need
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Safety glasses and heatproof gloves
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Glass cutting equipment
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Glass
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Kiln
