Saturday, February 5, 2011

About Fused Glass

I have had many hobbies over the years. I've done rug hooking, embroidery, cross stitch, macrame, crochet and on and on. What I do now is call glass fusing. Also called warm glass or kiln fusing, this craft involves molding and manipulating glass in a very hot kiln.

I got started because my daughter was interested and we took a class together. First we studied how to work with art glass, creating cabochons, plates, bowls, suncatchers and so on. Then we took another class on working with PMC or precious metal clay. The PMC fine silver (99% pure) can be fused onto the glass cabochons, so that opened up even more options for creativity. That was exciting!

After months of going to a studio once or twice a week, we finally felt it was time to purchase a small kiln so that we could so more work at home. That also reduces the wait time, as most pieces require 2-3 fusings. It's a big investment even though we didn't get a large one, but our kiln is a 12 inch round Evenheat that has served us well.

Next, we had to invest in a variety of art glass, and an assortment of cutting tools, also quite expensive. For refinements and shaping it is important to have a grinder. We got a dremel tool with diamond bits for drilling holes in the cabochons. You can see how this begins to add up! There are more tools we need/want to buy, but we can only add them as our budget allows. A band saw is high on the list!

We set up a studio in our unfinished basement, which gave us plenty of room to spread out and work. You really need a work space where no one can walk through, as you end up with tiny shards of glass everywhere. It's almost impossible to clean them all up. A utility sink nearby is very helpful for cleaning.

Right away we got a lot of requests for our pieces, so we opened a little shop online on Etsy where we sell nightlights, hair barrettes, and more.




32 comments:

  1. Enjoyed the read, Glitter. So nice that you started out becausee you and your daughter took a class together.

    I too "have had many hobbies over the years".

    ReplyDelete
  2. I wish you the best and your daughter with your new project! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  3. what a great story! thank you for sharing. i love you work!

    ReplyDelete
  4. you do really pretty work and I can tell you really love what you do!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great post! You are so lucky to have a talented daughter to create and design with. Beautiful work! I am addicted to metal clay! I find that I am more patient with clay having already learned crochet, painting, etc. and knowing not to rush through a project.

    Enjoy creating!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, that kiln looks pretty interesting. I've always wondered what the process is in making glass. Sounds complicated :) Thanks for linking to the Sunday Linky Party!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Really great history about your shop!!! I love your work

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love hearing about how people got started in their chosen fields of artistry! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for sharing this! You are so talented!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good luck to you with your "new" hobby! I enjoyed reading about it!
    Most people don't realize how very involved it is! You've helped them understand that!
    Carol from Carol's Jewelry Orchard

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very sweet story about how you got started Glitter! It's nice to work with family. My son, who is 7, wants to start working with glass now that I've reestablished my studio--in the unfinished basement as well. I think he'll have to wait a bit. (Galeaz Glass)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, that is very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kelly, the studio where we took classes has classes and parties for children all the time! It amazed me that they never got any cuts! You can start him with some precut scrap pieces doing mosaics on a clear circle or square.

    ReplyDelete
  14. wow this is so cool! Now I will have to inform my bf when looking for houses I will need yet another craft room to try out even more lovely crafts I have never tried yet!

    Your work is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nice post! So nice to that your daughter helps...mine helps me too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great post!
    Have a great day also! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great that your daughter and you do it together and that you have a basement. My passion is spread all over the house.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The things our daughters can inspire us to do or become. How wonderful!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wonderful story! You should have a picture taken of you and your daughter working in your studio and use it as one of the images in your listings. I know I would love to see how it's done.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very nice feature, love hearing about new crafts!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great blog. That is so wonderful that both of you spend time together.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great tips on setting up a studio! I hope to be able to do the same thing someday soon for enamelling! I look forward to reading more about this!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wonderful info. So nice that you and your daughter can do this.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you so much for sharing, this is a wonderful post.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great story glitter! My Mom and I also do glasswork together :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great story! It is great when you find a hobby you stick with

    ReplyDelete
  27. :) So cool that you enjoy it enough to invest in a kiln at home and that you can do it with your daughter!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Very interesting post! An Evenheat was the brand of kiln that was recommended to me also.

    I wish I could get my son to work with me in my business! That really is cool that your daughter shares your excitement for the medium!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Sounds like a fun craft!
    Investing in tools/equipment can be expensive...but so worth it :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow, your stuff is really pretty. I look forward to hearing more about it. Hot things sort of freak me out a bit. : D

    ReplyDelete

Please leave a comment!