Basic Glass Fusing, Part I

It has recently come to my attention that the subject of glass fusing would be a great subject to blog about while informing and educating others about it.

As a glass fusing enthusiast I have decided to explain a little about glass fusing. First of all what is glass fusing? Glass fusing is when one puts two or more pieces of glass in a kiln and melts them together at around 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the "simple" explanation. There are many more factors involved that have to be taken into consideration for glass fusing to be sucessful however. (Learn more about it in Part II, tomorrow!)

I also wish to take a moment and say that beads are usually made by wrapping glass around a mandrel (a metal rod coated with a releasing agent) using a torch to melt the glass. Another thing, fused kiln work tends to have a flat back or bottom to it from the kiln shelf or mold while torch work is shaped around the mandrel with or without the aid of tools.



Handmade Torchwork/Lampwork Beads















A Fused Piece Of Glass