Excerpt from Creative Slumping Webinar
My favorite thing about glass fusing is its limitless possibilities. Beyond the basics, there are countless ways to work with this medium and get surprisingly unique results every time. There’s always something new to try and learn.
Another thing I love about glass is the three-dimensional aspect. We have the power to change the shape of our art and take it from flat to fabulous. Drop out molds are great props you can use to express your artistic flare in exciting, new creative ways.
What makes drop molds different?
When fused glass is slumped into a typical mold, we retain the original design unchanged but now with a gentle three-dimensional shape. Whereas the process of reshaping glass by allowing it to fall through the hole in a drop out ring changes and adds to the visual features of the design. As the glass drops through the ring the design elements blend and stretch which gives the illusion of movement in the finished project.
Drop Out Vase How-to
Drop-out-mold vases are tricky. Every kiln fires differently. The type of glass used and the way the project is assembled both affect the way the glass falls through the hole. Taking detailed notes is especially important if you want consistent results time-after-time.
Design Tip: As the glass falls through the mold it stretches. Because dropping glass adds detail to the pattern, I’ve found that when it comes to the vase design less is more. Keep the design simple. An over complicated pattern makes the vase look clumsy and heavy instead of graceful and light.
To make the glass.
Cut five (5) 7-inch glass circles. Vary the design on the layers. Stack the 5 layers in the kiln on a primed or fiber covered shelf. Wrap the stacked glass with Thin Fire fiber paper and 1/8” thick fiber paper to maintain the desired thickness and shape during the fusing process. Hold the fiber paper ring in place with kiln posts.
Fire to a full fuse temperature using the guide below.
To Make the glass base and riser.
Base: Cut two 4-inch circles, one black glass, one clear dichroic glass. Stack and full fuse.
Riser: Cut two 1 ½ inch circles out of clear glass. Stack and full fuse.
Drop out mold set up. 
The round, ceramic drop out mold is 9-inch-wide with a 5-inch-wide hole. Cover the mold top with 1/8-inch thick fiber paper. This keeps the glass from slipping off the mold as it drops. If handled carefully, the fiber paper can be reused over and over.
Support the mold with four, 5-inch-tall kiln posts. Cover the kiln bottom, below the glass with fiber paper.
Fire the glass to drop it through the mold using the firing guide below.
Kilns fire differently.
Test fire these guides. Take notes and make adjustments as needed.
Firing Guide – Full Fuse
Segment Rate Temp/Degrees Hold/ Minutes
1 300 1300 60*
2 300 1465 10
3 9999** 960 40
4 500 800 10
5 Let cool to room temperature
*This hold prevents bubbles from forming between the glass and kiln shelf.
**As fast as possible.
Drop Ring
Segment Rate Temp/Degrees Hold/Minutes
1 500 1200 30
2 200 1300 60***
***Peek at 30 minutes and again at 45 minutes to monitor the drop.
When the glass touches the fiber paper lined kiln bottom go to the next segment.
3 Flash Vent 1000 0
4 9999* 960 40
5 500 800 10
6 Let cool to room temperature.
*9999, As fast as possible.
**These firing guides are for System 96. They work equally as well with other COEs
Cutting the rim.
Cut the rim off with the 2-inch EverRun Sintered Diamond Slitter and Dremel. Grind and polish the rim. Glue the vase on the riser and base with E6000 adhesive.
Supplies & Materials
5 glass circles cut to 7-inch across
9-inch round ceramic drop out ring with a 5 inch hole
5-inch kiln posts
1/8-inch thick fiber paper
Thin Fire fiber paper
Tools & Materials
2-inch EverRun Sintered Diamond Slitter
Available at: His Glassworks www.hisglassworks.com
Variable speed Dremel with flexible shaft
Water source
Holding Tray
Grinder
See how this vase is made on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sThARy3e0V4
Excerpt from Creative Slumping Webinar, November 19, 2019
Webinars are a wonderful way to stay connected to other fusers and keep the creative flow strong between hands-on workshops. In this webinar, I show you how to use materials you likely already have in innovative ways to make new and unique shapes. You’ll be amazed at how simple combinations can transform ordinary shapes into sculptural works of art. I hope you’ll join me for this fun and informative live event.
Wherever you are in your artistic journey, you’re doing a great job! Bravo!
Happy fusing!
Lisa
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Upcoming Webinar
Want more ideas? Join me in this fun and informative LIVE event!
Creative Slumping Webinar, November 19, 2019 https://www.glasspatterns.com/glass-patterns-quarterly-store/product/1240-creative-slumping-with-lisa-vogt-november-15-2018.html
Back by popular demand! Join me for my upcoming Creative Slumping Webinar. In this detailed Webinar, I’ll reshape the way you slump and drape glass. See how thinking outside the box and using readymade molds in new ways offers numerous and exciting opportunities to produce unique forms. You’ll also learn how to make your own graceful, free-form shaped molds from readily available materials with no laborious measuring or messy mixes needed.
Plus, there’s more…
We’ll take it one step further, I’ll show you how to use these different approaches, in combination, to transform ordinary projects into inspiring, sculptural pieces of art!
New for 2020
Are you a lifelong learner?
As a life-long learner myself, I know it sometimes takes a change of scenery, a challenging new educational experience and the encouragement of an experienced instructor to advance my skills and help me grow.
Are you ready to grow?
NEW Fused Glass Sculpture, Webinar January 14, 2020 https://www.glasspatterns.com/glass-patterns-quarterly-store/product/1400-fused-glass-sculptures-made-easy-with-lisa-vogt-jan-14-2020.html
In this in-depth webinar, you’ll learn pro tips and tricks for better glass cutting. See how to mix different fusible materials to make more elaborate designs.
You’ll be amazed how using standard slumping molds in unique ways can drastically improve the shape of your art. You’ll be inspired by the innovative combination of ordinary techniques Lisa shares.
You’ll be confident to fuse glass after seeing how easy it is to load, program and fire a kiln. Best of all, you’ll have an exclusive technical advantage with the advanced understanding of Lisa’s dependable firing programs. And you’ll love the stunning three-dimensional results you can achieve by fusing all of these concepts together.
Beginner and advanced students alike will find inspiration, motivation and renewed artistic freedom from seeing the step-by-step construction of more than 5 sculptural projects in this webinar.
After this exciting webinar you’ll have the professional knowledge and increased confidence to incorporate these innovative methods in your new work. In addition, you’ll have a working knowledge of kiln operation, custom firing guides, and a deeper understanding of sculptural glass fusing fabrication.
NEW CLASS DATE FOR 2020
Sculptural Fused Glass, 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop
February 18 – 21, 2020
Register www.lisavogt.net
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited.
Here’s what the students are saying about the workshop.
“Lisa is very professional, knowledgeable and freakishly talented. House, art, mosaic, her work – really fun and beautiful.” -Lorna
“Incredible class. Lisa shared her artistic knowledge of color flow and her technical knowledge of glass.” -Larry
“I had so much fun! Lisa is a great teacher!” -Brenda
This class is for you! Any skill level can attend. Beginner, intermediate and advanced students alike will learn how to advance their glass fusing skills and expand their artistic style.
In this class I’ll show you all the pro tips and tricks I use to make stunning 3-dimnesional art. You’ll learn how to combine advanced techniques in new ways to create extraordinary sculptural pieces of art.
You’ll leave class with several completed glass sculptures, my custom firing guides and a deeper understanding of sculptural fused glass fabrication. You’ll have the knowledge, confidence and inspiration you’ve been craving to take your artwork to the next level.
Materials are included, that’s a $150.00 value! Plus, a professional photo shot of your artwork is also included.
Let’s get together and fuse glass! This is the turning-point workshop you’ve been waiting for.
Get Ready for the Glass Craft & Bead Expo 2020!
Glass Craft & Bead Expo is the premier Art Glass and Bead Trade Show and Educational Conference. April 1 – April 5, 2020
Meet me in Vegas! I’m teaching the following classes.
Fired Up! Fusing for the Adventurous
Painting with Frit
Breaking Through – Making Exhibition Quality Art
Sculptural Fused Glass Art
NEW Sculptural Fused Glass DESIGN Made Easy
People come from all over the world to take classes and view the show floor for all of the latest and most innovative products and services. Las Vegas has been home to the show with it being held for the past eleven (11) years at the South Point Hotel and Conference Center located at 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South.
Watch it NOW! Start fusing today!
Downloadable instructional videos for every skill level.
Check out my eBooks for elegant patterns and detailed fusing instructions.
Have you ever done a dropout with a 1” thick piece of glass?
The thickest I have done is 3/4″ glass.