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Welcome to Glass Fusing, also known as Kiln-formed Glass, Warm Glass, Kiln-crafting, Kiln Casting and sometimes Hot Glass. Glass fusing is an art that utilizes a temperature controlled kiln to melt layered colored glass together (usually 2 or 3 layers) at about 1500F degrees to create panels, plates, bowls, cabochons, bracelets, earrings, sculpted objects, and etc. Glass that is used in kiln-forming should be "tested compatible" with other glass from the same manufacturer(s) to ensure that the finished glass piece doesn't contain "stress" and break. Some of the different glass components used in warm glass are sheet glass, noodles, stringers, rods, frit, and dichroic glass. Types of colored sheet glass include opalescents (solid), transparents, and mixes such as streakies. Coatings available for glass include dichroic (very intense colored metallic finish, expensive) and iridescent (less intense colored metallic finish, inexpensive). Rods, noodles and stringers are long slim pieces of glass that resemble fettucini or spaghetti and are used as accents as well as arranged into stripes for intricate design. Frits are used as accents as well as used for glass casting and "painting". |
Kiln firing can create three types of texture effects: tack fuse, contour fuse, or full fuse. A tack fuse will leave the finished glass piece with the least deformation (least rounded edges) between layers. A contour fuse allows definition between layers but has soft, rounded edges. A full fuse creates a flat, smooth single layer of glass with no distinction between layers. Slumping is the process of adding form to a flat fused piece by melting the glass into or over a mold to give it a three dimensional look. Kilns used in glass fusing require at least a pyrometer and infinite switch or a digital or electronic temperature controller. This is just a introductory primer for the artist new to glass fusing. Enjoy browsing our catalog pages and check out our discussion boards, glass artist link page and consider selling your new finished pieces in our new e-mall. More fun resources
below from our friends at Spectrum Glass - System 96 and Bullseye
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