Fusing – “non-fusible glass” (Art Glass)

There are two main types of COE that I use and I’ve blogged about coefficient of expansion (COE) of fused glass many times. As I mentioned before COE is how glass expands and contracts when it heats and cools. When glass is the same COE and is considered fusible it can be fused to other glass that’s the same COE. The primary glass I use is bullseye, which is close to 90 COE and the other glass I use is spectrum 96 COE. There is also float glass or window glass around COE 82.

I explained again about the COE so I can discuss non-fusible Art Glass. Any glass including non-fusible art glass is fusible to itself. Art Glass is a little expensive, but it’s very beautiful. I can be stain glass, architecture glass, etc.. As I said Art Glass can be used to fuse, but is very challenging. One reason is because Art Glass can only be fused to itself i.e., not with any other glass – including clear glass. It also can change colors and the firing schedule can be a little tricky.

So I’m sure you are wondering what can be done with Art Glass if it can only be fused to itself and why bother if it’s such a pain to use. Mainly because art glass is so pretty. Moreover there is quite a bit that art glass can be used for in fusing.

First it can be cut and one piece can be slumped or draped into functional art for example a dish, votive or lamp, bowl, sun-catcher, etc.

 
Second is by fusing Art Glass to itself, means you can create art, for example this beautiful fused glass a coral bowl.

Third, the art glass can be cut up and put it in casting molds to make jewelry. Believe it or not each of these fused glass pendants are from art glass.

Fourth, since it can be fused together, I fused two pieces together then drilled snap pieces out of the glass. Some of these pieces are so pretty they can stand on their own, for example the green snaps remind me of malachite so I will leave them as they are now. However, decals can also be fused onto art glass, so for most of these I will fuse decals on them e.g., gold or white on the darker snaps and black on the lighter snaps.

I hope you like the multiple ways art glass can be fused.

If you would like to see more of my fused glass work or more of my reviews please refer to my website Elegant Fused Glass by Karen.

If you get a chance, check out all my sites, Fused Elegance, Elegant Fused Glass by Karen, Etsy, and Artfire.

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Keeping my Kiln warm,

Karen