6” x 8.5”
Let the festivities begin! Fall is a season for celebrating family, friends and feasting. At my house, the dining room table is the center of attention at this time of year. Accordingly, I like to decorate the table with a special piece of art that brings cheerful energy to our gatherings. This brightly colored turkey is the perfect adornment for such joyous occasions. It may look complicated, but it’s actually fast and easy to make.
To get started, cut out the paper pattern with scissors. To make the base, trace the turkey shape on clear glass with a marker. Cut as much of the clear glass as possible by hand. Use a glass saw to detail the inside cuts. The clear base layer can be made up of pieces if you don’t have access to a saw. Grind the clear glass to remove sharp edges and improve the shape.
For the colorful design layer, cut the pattern up with scissors. Affix the paper pieces to the appropriate colored glass with a glue stick. Cut the pieces as closely to the paper as possible. Cut a second turkey body out of patterned dichroic on clear. Then grind the cut glass pieces to improve the shapes and remove any sharp edges.
Place the clear base on a second pattern. Apply a small amount of fuser’s glue to the clear base and then assemble the colorful design layer on top. Stack the dichroic body on top. Allow the glue to dry until the pieces are secure. If you move to the next step too soon, the glass pieces will slide around when you apply the frit. This causes blurred edges that I feel distract from the design.
Using a spoon, pour a small amount of fine frit onto the turkey. Work the frit down into any gaps with a paint brush. This step gives the finished artwork a nice added detail. I selected a complimentary yellow to highlight this bold color palate. When using this technique, I intentionally pick fine frit instead of powder. The excess fine frit is easier to clean off the surface of the project than powder which tends to stick.
Next add a dichroic dot for an eye and a yellow triangle for a beak. Now for a little bling. Nip wavy Firestrips to size and place them on the turkey’s feathers for a flashy zinger.
The assembled turkey is fused and then slumped over a barrel shaped mold. The slumped turkey is then glued to the front of the clear candle shelter. Colored fused glass strips cover the remainder of the clear candle shelter to give it a festive flare all the way around.
Using a strip cutter cut 16 strips total ½” wide, 5 7/8” long out of red, orange and green glass. Cut 16 strips of iridized clear the same size. Stack the clear iridized strips on the color strips.
Fuse the turkey and strips to a full fuse temperature using the guide below.
Slump the fused turkey over the ceramic mold.
Glue the slumped turkey to the clear candle shelter with E6000 adhesive. Tape the fused glass to the clear shelter to ensure it doesn’t slide off. Let the glue dry overnight.
Glue the fused glass strips to the remainder of the clear shelter. Tape them in place. Let the glue dry overnight.
Double duty. This fancy turkey project can be used as a candle holder or a flower vase. Either way, it’s a beautiful seasonal addition to any decor.
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 make adjustments as needed.
Oceanside 96 Glass
100SF Clear for the turkey base layer, ½ Sq. Ft.
Oceanside 96 Glass
60-2700-96 Orange/Clear for turkey and strips, ½ Sq. Ft.
60-6120-96 Grenadine/Clear for turkey and strips, ½ Sq. Ft.
60-7550-96-4 Fern Green/Clear for strips, ¼ Sq. Ft.
61-00-96-IR-4 Clear Thin Iridized for strips, 1 Sq. Ft.
F2-2602-96-8 Yellow Opal Frit, Fine
CBS System 96 Dichroic Glass
Pebbles Pattern on Clear 4” x 4”
Wavy “Firestrips”, 2 – 14-inch-long pieces
Tools and Materials
Ceramic Slumping Mold 10 ½” x 9” x 4”
Clear Candle Shelter 6” Tall, 4” Wide, 12” Around
Fuser’s Glue, Marker, Glue Stick, E6000 Adhesive, Masking Tape
Pillar Candle or Flowers
Happy Thanksgiving!
Lisa
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NEW WEBINAR DATES!
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!
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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.
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NEW DATE FOR 2022!
Sculptural Fused Glass, 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop February 22 – 25, 2022
Only 2 seats available
This is the turning-point workshop you’ve been waiting for.
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.
Join me and take your glass fusing to the next level!
Artwear Designed for Artists by Artists Tell them how you really feel with bold T-shirts, Eco-conscience tote bags and sassy mugs.
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