Tag: Fused glass

Cookies for Santa

At this over scheduled time of year, we’re all longing for the peace and tranquility we associate with more studio time. Well here’s your excuse to log in more hours with your glass cutter and kiln. Don’t let these charming projects fool you; these flashy little beauties are fun, fast and easy to make. Plus, they make great gifts for family and friends.   

You’re a Mean One Plate

These darling plates are great for table decorations or for serving sweet treats. The dishes photographed here measure 10-inch by 10-inch. But these smart designs also look terrific in 12-inch or 8-inch sizes. Feel free to adjust the size to fit any slumping mold you may have. 

Star of David

To make these seasonal plates, cut a 10-inch by 10-inch piece of clear fusible glass for the base layer. Select your design and glass colors. Cut the design layer using the specific pattern you selected as a guide. Glue the design layer on top of the base layer with a small amount of fusers glue, or another appropriate adhesive. Set the project aside to let the glue dry. (I like to use a tiny amount of white Elmer’s school glue and apply it with a tooth pick. This glue dries fast and when used in tiny amounts burns off without a trace.) Using the pattern as a guide, cut the accent pieces that make up the design you selected. Grind the cut accent pieces for a nice, clean fit. Clean the glass with water and then dry it with a towel. (I prefer to use water over detergents or other solvents that could leave residue that might burn onto the glass surface during fusing.) Glue the accent pieces to the design layer with fusers glue. Let the glue dry before moving to the next step. 

Christmas Tree

For Cookies for Santa, Star of David and You’re a Mean One, select the appropriate power frit colors. Wearing a dust mask, sift your chosen powder evenly over the glass. Using a small dry paint brush or the tip of a pencil draw your message in the frit like you would draw in the sand. Remove any frit that might have fallen on the surrounding glass pieces with the dry paint brush. 

Snowman

Chill out with this friendly winter visitor. This plate is fast and easy to make no frit needed.

Full fuse and then slump your plates using my firing guides available on my website.

Get FREE Holiday project patterns on my website.

Find More Holiday Ideas Check Out These eBooks!

Cheers!

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Instagram

NEW CLASS DATE FOR 2025!

Advanced Glass Fusing Class, 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop, April 8 – 11, 2025

ONLY 3 Seats Left!

Join me and take your glass fusing to the next level!

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

In this class, you’ll 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!

Take your glass fusing to the next level!

---

Great Gifts for Artists

Premium Video Membership

Art wear Designed for Artists by Artists Tell them how you really feel with bold T-shirts, Eco-conscience tote bags and sassy mugs.

Downloadable instructional videos for every skill level.

The magical thing about glass fusing is you can work with the same materials for years and all it takes to fascinate you again is the introduction of a new component. The round Christmas ornament is far from a unique design. But add a new twist, a little bling and amazingly you have a delightfully fresh version of an old favorite.

At this hectic time of year, we’re all looking for fast and flashy projects that make great gifts. These easy to make ornaments are your ticket to wonderfully productive studio time. What makes these simple pieces so attractive is the paring of traditional holiday colors along with lively patterns.

Making the Ornament Bowl

Begin by cutting a 9-inch circle of clear glass for the ornament base. Cut 2 clear pieces of glass to represent the bail of the ornament. Select your murrine and cut it into 1/8-inch-long bits with mosaic nippers. Choose your holiday colors and cut them into strips. Arrange the strips on the clear base. Separate the cut strips with twisted cane. For added interest, include a strip of murrine.

Then, just for fun, rearrange your materials. Try different combinations until you have a pleasing pattern. I love this spontaneous type of assembly as it always produces a more dynamic design than I originally imagined.

Using a 9-inch round paper pattern as a guide, draw the circle shape on the strips and cane with a marker. Cut the strips and cane to fit neatly on the clear base glass. Cut clear dichroic to represent the bail of the ornament.

Cut narrow strips of dichroic on clear. Arrange the dichroic strips on the wide band of color to make the snowflakes. Be sure the dichroic coating side is down so it won’t scratch when the bowl is used.

Place the assembled glass in the kiln on a primed or shelf paper lined kiln shelf. Stack the 2 clear bails beside the circle. Overlap the white and the clear bails with the dichroic bail to bridge the parts when fused.    

Making the Dichroic Ornaments

I plan to use these little beauties as festive spoon rests in the kitchen. The dichroic coating is fragile and will scratch if not protected by clear glass. When making functional art with dichroic glass, I assemble the projects differently. Unlike the first ornament, which was built on a clear base, the base of these small decorations will be made up of pieces. The pieces will then be capped with a single piece of clear glass to enhance the dichroic colors and protect the coating from getting scratched.  

Begin by cutting 4-inch circles out of clear glass. Cut 2 bails for each of the ornaments out of clear glass. Set the circles and bails aside. Cut a fun assortment of 4-inch squares of dichroic on black into strips. Rearrange the strips to make four unique ornament designs. Add a few twisted canes for a lacy effect. Turn any textured glass strips over. Using the clear circles as a guide, trace the circle shape on the back of the dichroic strips with a silver marker. Cut the glass and cane to match the circle. Turn the cut glass over and rearrange the strips and cane. Cut a bail for each ornament out of dichroic on clear.

Place the dichroic and cane layer in the kiln on a primed or shelf paper lined kiln shelf. Cap the dichroic glass with the 4-inch clear glass circles. Stack the 2 clear bails beside the glass. Overlap the clear cap and the clear bails with the dichroic bail to bridge the parts when fused.  

Full fuse the assembled projects using the guide in my tech docs link below.

If any of the circles are uneven, grind the edges as needed to improve the shapes.

Place the fused glass in slumping molds. Slump using the guide below in my Tech Docs link below.

I love including functional art in everyday life. And the kitchen, being the hub of family activity that it is, is a great place to enjoy personal, hand-made holiday decorations.

Full fuse and then slump your plates using my firing guides available on my website in the FREE FTech Docs section on Firing Guides & Graphs For 96 & 90 COE Fusible Glass

FREE Holiday project patterns on my website.

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Instagram

Join Premium Video Membership for Access to 31 Courses!

Great Gifts for Glass Artists

You have choices when it comes to how to fire your projects. Different temperatures will result in different project characteristics. My goal here is to give you the tools to make educated decisions when selecting your firing method so you have greater control and more satisfying results. 

Fusing Defined

Fuse: To heat glass pieces in a kiln until they melt together into one piece.

Glass Fusing Process Temperatures

Full Fuse

Full Fuse 96 COE 1465°F (796°C) 90 COE 1480°F (804°C). Full fuse is the most common firing method. At this temperature the assembled glass project pieces melt together to form one smooth piece with visible, but not tactile, seams. The project has a smooth surface and round, shiny edges. I choose this temperature when I’m making decorative and functional artwork where I want a smooth, uniform surface.

Contour Fuse

Contour Fuse: 96 COE 1425°F (774°C), 90 COE 1400°F (760°C). A contour fuse is a fired look between full fuse and tack fuse. At this temperature the glass layers are fused, and the edges are soft and rounded. The project surface has both visible and physical texture. I use this temperature when I want to create a decorative project with physical texture that increases the surface area to reflect more light.

Tack Fuse

Tack Fuse 96 & 90 COE 1365°F (742°C). At this temperature, the glass pieces stick together. The project edges will be square and shiny. Design elements will retain their texture but are generally not sharp to touch. This is a great temperature for suncatchers and other ornaments where you want a light firing that really sparkles.

Combine Techniques

You can fire a project to a full fuse for the smooth rounded edge quality. Then refire it to a contour or tack fuse temperature with additional design elements on top for a unique and dazzling look.

My Building Process 

Most of my work is assembled with the two layers, plus accent method. I refer to the bottom layer as the base and the second as the design layer. The base layer and design layer are the same shape and size. The base layer is often a single piece of clear, but not always; sometimes it’s made up of cut pieces. The second design layer can be a single piece of glass, but often, its pieces fit together to make a specific pattern or design. The third accent layer is minimal, and it usually consists of small fusible elements that enhance the design theme. I choose to build this way because I get consistent results time after time. The finished size and shape of the artwork is predictable. The pieces come out of the kiln with beautiful, rounded edges and a consistent thickness that is both attractive and durable.   

It’s All Good   

Keep in mind, there’s no single right or wrong way to make any project. Personal preference, design style and function should all play a role in helping you decide which approach is best. The objective is to consciously choose your firing temperature based on a solid understanding of the results.  

Excerpt from Glass Fusing Terms as seen on my website.

For more in-depth instruction check out my videos.

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Instagram

NEW Premium Video Course by Lisa

---

We’re always looking for ways to excite, motivate and inspire you. Niki and I love helping you achieve your glass fusing goals. We strive to make your artistic journey fast, easy and fun. I asked glass fusers to suggest topics and ideas for new blogs and videos that would be relevant and valuable to you.   

Glass artists presented me with a terrific list of suggestions. Topics included are: what is devitrification, why does it occur and how to prevent or fix it? Is fused glass food safe? Can you microwave fused glass and is it dishwasher safe?  How to paint on glass was another topic. They also included fresh project ideas that we’re looking forward to making and sharing with you in the coming weeks.

We’re here to help.

We’ve covered some of the topics mentioned above in previous blogs and YouTube videos. We understand you’re busy and it’s hard to keep up with all the material we post. I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to point out where you can find answers to some of the great questions listed above.  

Learn more about devitrification here:

Blog: Glass Fusing Terms for Beginners

Learn more about devit here.

YouTube video: Glass Fusing Terms for Beginners with Lisa Vogt

Learn more about devit here.

YouTube Video: What’s the Difference Between COE 90 & COE 96 with Lisa Vogt

Find a complete list of Glass Fusing Terms here:  

Learn more about Food Safety here:

Blog: Is Glass Food Safe

YouTube Video: Is Fused Glass Food Safe

Learn how to paint on glass here:

YouTube Video: How to Paint on Glass with Lisa Vogt

Thank you Mary for the great ideas.

If you have suggestions, we’d love to hear them.

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Instagram

NEW Premium Video Course by Lisa

---

Brighten Your Day with Fused Glass Lanterns

It’s always a thrill when I come up with a fun, way to add dazzling art glass to my home, office, and yard. I’ve designed a series of fused glass lanterns that bring a special brightness and cheerful joy to any setting.

I enjoy having soft accent lights around my home. So, I thought, why not create a collection of pieces I could switch out seasonally to add a festive atmosphere to my rooms all year long. Designing such a wide variety of themes also kept the construction fresh and fun.

In my video Lumin-Essence I share how to make 8 shimmering lanterns. The lanterns range in complexity, but anyone with a flair for fusing can easily make them all. I will tell you though, they will challenge your fabrication skills. But in a good way by trying something new that you’ll love.  

The first lantern I designed is inspired by relaxing summer vacations spent on a serene lake. A sailboat glides over calm waters with a picturesque view of mountains and pine trees behind. The custom-made glass base provides a lift and an attractive pedestal to showcase the scenic setting. The front panel of the lantern bows out. The back panel bows in the opposite creating the perfect space for a candle or LED lights.

Weave is an especially fun lantern to make. It looks complicated and fragile, when it’s easy and sturdy once assembled. Plus, it’s a terrific size for adding a touch of light to small or confined spaces. The assembly is simple. You cut a bunch of strips, lay them out in 4 alternating layers and then tack the pieces together in your kiln. The 4 sides are then glued together around a clear glass base. I like to add dichroic glass strips to mine for that super shine that lights up the room. The best part is Weave looks amazingly beautiful when lit. The open construction and rich colors cast a rainbow of colors on the table and surrounding walls.

Winter Wonderland is my favorite lantern. The clear glass backdrop is the perfect complement to the white and dichroic snowflakes. This dazzling lantern requires extra steps as the snowflakes are tacked together and then tacked on the clear front and back panels. Let me tell you, this one is worth your time. Winter Wonderland is a spectacular, glistening addition to any room.

Dogwood reminds me of flower gardening and the rebirth of nature in the spring. I selected a crisp, clean, simple color palate for this lantern. I used clear glass for the lattice because I wanted this lantern to have structure, but also a light, airy feel. The flowers are fun to make. They’re tacked together and then slumped in small bowl molds to give them form. Dogwood is assembled it multiple easy steps. The lantern sides are glued around a clear base. After the glue is dry the flowers are glued on one side at a time. When lit, Dogwood makes a dazzling centerpiece.   

Blue Mountains were inspired by the cool gradient colors of the Great Smoky Mountains. We all enjoy a refreshing trip to the mountains where stunning views and peaceful moments linger in our hearts. With this lantern you can relive those tranquil times every day. This lantern is super easy to make. You just layer several shades of blue. The beauty of Blue Mountains is in its simplicity of design and construction. You’ll love making this restful lantern.     

Red Heart is a darling combination of vivid color and lacy pattern. The great thing about this lantern is the small, fused glass design combined with a ready-made candle shelter, make it quick and easy to make. You’ll definitely want one of these around come February. This dainty lantern is a perfect personalized gift to show family and friends they hold a special place in your heart.

Fall Leaf is another quick and easy design you can make to bring a seasonal touch to your home. Its organic shape and bright, cheery colors make it the perfect complement to your fall decorations.

Purple Heart may be dainty, but it lights up the room with an impressive glow. It’s another quick and easy project that makes a great gift. Just fuse glass strips and then glue them on a ready-made candle shelter. It doesn’t get easier.    

I hope this illuminating collection inspires you to be creative and celebrate family, friends, and all that we have to be thankful for.  

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Instagram

NEW Premium Video Course by Lisa

---