Better than candy this friendly ghost is here to sweeten your day.

Spooktacular Ghost Plate How-to

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love the wide variety of fun designs we can make to decorate our homes with a seasonal flare. I like this particular plate for its free-form shape. The graceful curve around the ghost’s head make it jump off the counter. But don’t let the unusual shape scare you. The subtle contours are actually easy to cut. And you can always grind the edge to fine tune the shape. Let’s get started.

How-to:

Cut a 10 inch clear circle for the base layer. Using the pattern as a guide, cut the clear glass circle to match the irregular pattern shape. Grind the glass to remove sharp edges and smooth the shape.

Cut white glass to match the clear base layer. Using a wet saw, cut the background around the ghost’s head and arms away.

Pro Tip:

No saw needed. If you don’t have a saw, the white ghost layer can be made up of pieces. OR Cut the white layer to match the clear base layer. Then make the shapes that outline the ghost’s head and arms just like the eyes and mouth, with cut navy blue glass.

Tack glue the white layer onto the clear base with a small amount of fuser’s glue. Let the glue dry before moving to the next step. Gluing keeps the white glass from sliding around when you apply the frit.

Glue Tip:

I like to use Elmer’s white glue. I apply the smallest amount of glue possible with the tip of a toothpick. The tiny, pin head size dots of glue burn off during firing without leaving a distracting haze between the glass layers.

Cut the ghost’s eyes and mouth out of navy blue glass. Grind them to improve the shape. Set them aside.

Color Tip:

When possible, I prefer to use dark, navy blue instead of black. Black creates a visual hole in the artwork. While the dark blue adds a nice tonal quality that gives the art a more interesting look.

Cut the letters out of bright, seasonal colors. Grind the letters to smooth out the edges. Set them aside.

Once the glue holding the white layer in place is dry, apply the frit. Using a spoon, pour power navy blue frit into the spaces that outline the ghost’s head and arms. Leave enough room to add fine aventurine blue for shading. Next add fine, aventurine blue. Concentrate the darker color on the right side of the openings to create a moody shadow effect.

Using a small, dry paint brush clean any excess frit off the white glass. Be meticulous with your clean up. It’s this type of attention to detail that will make a huge difference in the visual quality of your finished pieces.

Frit Tip:

Pile the frit as high as the white glass that contains it. This gives the transparent material strong color saturation, which in turn produces the dramatic, high contrast effect we’re trying to achieve. If you ask yourself, is it enough, add more frit.

Stack the cut glass eyes and mouth on the white layer. Arrange the cut glass letters on the bottom in a semi-circle.

Fire the assembled project to a full fuse temperature using the guide below.

Slump the fused project in a shallow plate mold using the guide below.

Spooky Ghost Plate Glass & Materials

10 Inch Round Plate

Clear glass, 1 sq. ft., for base layer

White glass, 1 sq. ft., for ghost layer

Navy Blue glass, large scrap, for eyes, mouth and shadows

Orange opal glass, scrap, for letters

Teale opal glass, scrap, for letters

Marigold yellow opal glass, scrap, for letters

Amazon green opal glass, scrap, for letters

Navy blue, power frit, for shadows

Aventurine blue, fine frit, for darker shadows

10” slumping mold

Fuser’s glue, small paint brush, spoon

Firing Guides for COE 96

Fusing Guide

Segment 1: Ramp 300 F/hr to 1300 and hold 30 min.

Segment 2: Ramp 500F/hr to 1465 and hold 10 min.

Segment 3: Ramp 9999(AFAP*) to 960 and hold 40 min.

Segment 4: Cool to room temperature.

*As fast as possible

Slumping Guide

Segment 1: Ramp 300 F/hr to 1265 and hold 10 min.

Segment 2: Ramp 9999(AFAP*) to 960 and hold 40 min.

Segment 3: Cool to room temperature.

*As fast as possible

NOTE: Kilns fire differently. Test fire these guides in your kiln and then adjust as needed.

Keep being creative. You’re doing great!

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

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NEW WEBINAR DATES!

Lustrous Lanterns Webinar November 9, 2021

Light up with me! Create colorful luminaries to brighten your home, office, porch, or anywhere else you’d enjoy the comforting glow of a dazzling accent light.

In this comprehensive live event, I’ll show you how to make 6 sparkling fused glass lanterns. You’ll learn how easily you can construct and build stunning 3-D lamps. I’ll guide you step-by-step through the many stages of construction, including pattern preparation, glass cutting, project assembly, fusing, slumping, and how to “cold fuse” the lanterns together.

You’ll also be shown how to finish the lanterns with custom, professional quality glass display bases. In addition, I’ll share how to utilize ready-made clear glass candle shelters to make fast and easy pick-me-ups. I’ll also show several quick and simple methods for lighting your beautiful new creations. Along with detailed instruction, you’ll receive 6 full-size lantern patterns, my project-specific firing guides, and supply list.

Beginner, intermediate, and advanced glass fusers alike will love the wide variety of unique shapes and elegant new patterns, custom designed to enrich any décor. Join me to rekindle your creative spark with lustrous lanterns designed to set your artistic imagination aglow.

Fusing with Frit Webinar December 7, 2021

Clever glass fusers know that using strong line quality and bold color saturation in combination is an effective way to create stand-out works of art.

Now take such trustworthy techniques and sprinkle in gradient blends and subtle shading achieved using frit. You’ll be amazed just how quickly your artwork advances to a new, exciting level of sophistication.

In this comprehensive webinar, I’ll show you how to apply several methods I employ to add the striking, painterly-quality I’ve developed to improve the impact of your glass fusing projects.

I’ll demonstrate SEVEN projects in this Webinar, from sea turtles to flowering trees to beach scenes and more!

You’ll learn: how to evaluate a design to maximize the imagery, steps for successful fabrication and practical tips for building professional quality, finished pieces.

Along with my step-by-step instruction, you’ll also receive complete material lists and project-specific firing guides.

New 4-Day, Hands-on Classes for 2022!

New Sink Class and Advanced Glass Fusing Workshops for 2022!

You asked for it! Let’s get hands-on!

Back by Popular Demand

Fused Glass Sinks Workshop, 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop January 25 – 28, 2022

Only 1 seat left!

Kiln formed sinks are the hottest functional, art glass accent! In this class I’ll show you the many advanced techniques I use to make lavish basins. I’ll cover how to build large bowls, concepts for design, color selection and much more.

Students will learn how to design and cut glass for a sink that reflects their own design style. While the sink is firing, you’ll build several small, projects using a variety of advanced techniques.

You’ll learn how to load the fused glass into the sink slumping mold, how to drill and countersink the drain hole, as well as finishing techniques. In class we’ll go over kiln requirements, my project specific firing guides and helpful installation tips.

Intermediate and advanced students alike will gain valuable knowledge that they can apply immediately to push their work to an exciting, new level of sophistication. Each student will leave class with a sink, several smaller projects, process outlines, and the technical information needed to fire at home. With the professional tricks and secrets revealed, you’ll be ready to dive in and take the fused, sink plunge!

What are you waiting for? It’s time to take your glass fusing to the next level!

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 DATE FOR 2022!

Sculptural Fused Glass, 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop February 22 – 25, 2022

Only 3 seats available

This is the turning-point workshop you’ve been waiting for.

It’s hard to describe what it’s like when I’m feeling the creative flow. Time flies. Hours pass in what I thought were minutes. My naturally distracted mind is focused on what my hands are doing, and nothing else. I get lost in my own world. When I return to reality, I feel rejuvenated and spiritually uplifted. That’s why I like sharing my studio space with others. I try to give them that experience and hope they feel the same inspiration and fulfillment I do. -Lisa

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.

Join me and 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!

May 2021 Student Testimonials

“My favorite thing about the class was the creative freedom – we were not required to make the same thing the same way. I was surprised by the variety and number items we made and the flexibility we had to go our own way with our projects. The glass studio was very comfortable and very clean with plenty of room.” -Ron

“My favorite thing about the class was the projects were tailored to our interests with user specific glass choices and design options. This makes the best type of learning environment. I loved the continued technical information that was used in daily discussions. Loved the amount of space we had for working and the use of top-quality tools and the hands-on assistance Lisa gave each one of us. You will hear and see me again. Thank you for your time and talent.” – Donna

“My favorite thing about the class was the creativity – putting things together in new ways – using different materials – and how welcome I felt. I was surprised how much we were able to get done and by Lisa’s ability to coach those of us on different levels. My least favorite part was that the class ended. The classroom setup was excellent – well organized. I really feel like Lisa gave me the tools to advance to a new level. It was worth the cost of the workshop, airfare, B&B, animal care and house sitting! Can’t wait to put what I leaned into practice and return for another workshop.” -Sue

Read more student testimonials on my website.

You Asked For It!

Here’s the class you asked for.

Advanced Glass Fusing 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop March 22 – 25, 2022

In this class, you will push the boundaries art glass imposes. Students will explore innovative approaches to design and combine multiple advanced techniques to construct original art that reflects their own personal style. You’ll enjoy: the one-on-one instruction, making multifaceted projects, the well-equipped classroom, and the intimate class size.

You’ll love the concentrated, in-depth study and creative momentum you’ll gain while actively producing, nonstop for four consecutive days. You’ll leave class with a working knowledge of kiln operation, custom project specific firing guides, and the inspiration you’ve been craving to go bigger and do more elaborate works of fused glass art!

Join me for this intense workshop held in my private studio.
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited.