06/17/10 – Oceanic Dolphins – Oceanic dolphins can be viewed immediately off the rocky shores of Hawaii. Gracefully they leap into the atmosphere from the depths of the ocean. Sometimes referred to as porpoises, they are actually related, but are not porpoises.

Although dolphins are generally gray in color, I have used brown glass for the body. This particular pattern has been enhanced with a piece of Dichroic glass. It has a blue-green color that almost gives the appearance of water gliding from his body.

06/16/10 – Coqui Frog – The Coqui frog resides in Hawaii, although he like many other animals are not originally from these islands. He was brought over many years ago from the Caribbean.

Normally you will see them with dark black eyes, but I wanted his eyes to stand out more so I made them red. Millefiori is used on his back to represent warts. He is very tiny in stature, usually only the size of a quarter.

This would be a fantastic gift for some of your frog collecting friends. He can be turned into a pin, pendant or as an adornment for other fused items.

06/15/10 – Barefootin in Hawaii – Barefootin on the island of Hawaii and experiencing the delicate sand thrilling the toes of your feet represents such a liberating undergoing. While you walk on pointing to the bluish sea imploring your entry, you discover your footmarks that are remaining in the soft sand. Anybody who’s experienced this will acknowledge that being barefooted in the sand embodies just among the little delights in a lifetime.

Employ other fusing embellishments to add some unique details to the foot. I have used some millefiori for the toes and Glassline paints to add the indication of a sandal and a tattoo.

06/14/10 – Kona – We scarcely returned from a trip out to Kona. This stylish and active small tourist town is situated upon the large island of Hawaii. When living at this location I was invigorated by all of the Hawaiian stimulus. Abiding at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort was unbelievable. The campus was so clean and the sights were breathtakingly spectacular.

We viewed turtles relishing on pitch-black lava stones in the tepid afternoon sunshine, surf boarders traversing the fresh perfect ocean curls, cruise ships tardily cruising through the dark-blue sea in the distance. We strolled dark sand beaches and snorkeled in the perfect ocean water with a large rainbow of fish and beautiful colors of precious coral. Inspiration was everywhere and all the senses were going wild with anticipation of turning these items into fused glass pieces.

This trip gave me motivation to add a couple of Hawaiian topic designs. In this segment you’ll discover particulars that will be associated the big island. They’re beach affiliated details that could be located in a lot of like domains, but have been promoted from my experience on this journey.

05/27/10 – Millefiori Geckos – Geckos are cute little lizards. This one is covered with millefiori pieces to add color and dimension to the piece. Even his little eyes and nose were created using the “Spring Mix Millefiori Assortment” from Delphi Glass.

Millefiori is simple to use even though the pieces are not evenly cut. They can be sanded down if necessary, or try turning them over to see if the other side is flatter. They are kept in place using a little unscented hairspray.

I fired the piece slowly since the millefiori glass has previously been heated and the thickness is greater than the flat body glass. They were taken up at about 300 degrees per hour and held at 1000 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes to allow all of the glass to even out in temperature.

05/26/10 – Millefiori – Just received my package of millefiori from Delphi Glass. What a colorful selection of tiny pieces. This group is from the newest addition to their selection. It is called the “Spring Mix Millefiori Assortment”. They have quite a selection of millefiori.

The name “millefiori” means “a thousand flowers” and that is what these look like. Petite tiny round glass flowers in beautiful spring colors. They are all tiny, and I think the largest piece is about 1/2 inch in diameter.

Before these arrived in the mail, I was busy deciding what would be a nice pattern to decorate with these pieces. They can be added to just about any design, but most individuals use them to make pendants. I didn’t want anything usual and I think the one I picked is perfect.

I have designed my pattern, cut my glass and decorated the piece with these tiny accents. It is currently fusing inside the kiln and as usual I am anxiously awaiting it to cool down so that I can view the piece.

05/20/10 – Pizza Plate Design – This conception for a pizza plate was created employing an unfinished ceramic bisque piece. Though there is a ceramic form on the market that you may also buy for this same intention, buying bisqueware is not as high-priced.

When buying a slump form for this pizza pie project, you’ll pay approximately $16.27. Then again, purchasing a bisqueware piece and boring a few holes will cost you around $5.62 each. This is a substantial savings!

You may create a lot of these for acquaintances or household members. Apply brownish Glassline paints to individualize the assemble and bestow the look of toasting crispy borders.

05/15/10 – Unpainted Ceramic Bisque – Bisqueware or unpainted ceramic bisque is ceramic figures that have been preconditioned and is forthwith available to paint. It’s mud that’s been poured into greenware, cleansed and kindled.

These compositions can occasionally be utilized as a ceramic cast for glass slumping. This completely depends upon the individual part. Whenever there are regions where the glass could get stuck and lodged then it wouldn’t be desirable for fusing intentions.

There are a bunch of forms on the marketplace, but the options broaden once you entertain employing bisqueware. Additionally the cost for bisque is more affordable than forms made explicitly for glass fusing.

Whenever you’re projecting on employing frit to occupy the cast then there’s not a great deal of grooming involved. Merely surface the composition with numerous applications of kiln wash and permit it to dry out entirely prior to firing.

If however you desire to employ the clay sculpture to slouch glass into, then you’ll want to do a bit added work prior to utilizing it for this function. The form will involve having hollows bored into the bed so that any ensnared air could leak during the action.

Generally there are about two to three holes that will need to be bored through the composition. Have a look at the assemble and ascertain where air could get snared and bore a hole in that region. The part will likewise need to be surfaced with a few layers of kiln wash prior to firing. Make certain that the hollows you previously bored are not filled up with kiln wash. If they’ve become encumbered, merely apply a pin or toothpick to clean the hole. Hold up the form with a couple of kiln posts to permit air to distribute about the form while firing.

05/12/10 – E6000 – E6000 is applied to bond jewelry findings to fused glass. Jewelry findings can be items such as bails, ear wires, or jump rings. The ample tube will go a long ways, as only a bit of the adhesive material is required to fasten the art object.

The directions are actually rather uncomplicated. Clean-living the composition, but not with soap. Soap could impart a residue that will keep the glue from binding to the assemble. Rough up the jewelry finding and the region on the glass where you’re starting to bind the finding.

Place a little quantity of E6000 on the composition. Apply just enough paste so that some of it extrudes from below the finding. This activity will assist to cast a pleasant lock about the jewelry finding. Apply some steady pressing as it’s pushed down. Cleanse up any additional glue that may have splattered elsewhere on the glass.

Place it down and do not displace it for at least twenty-four hours. This is crucial! Do not even move the composition until it has processed for this minimal period of time. It’s even more beneficial to leave it alone for a longer time period.

Numerous people utilize the oven technique. When the compositions are pasted conjointly, place them upon an tin foil bordered baking tray. Switch on the oven and fire up to 185 degrees. After approximately ten minutes, position baking tray in the oven for around for two hours. Switch off the oven and permit the assemble to sit for roughly twenty-four hours.

To get rid of the E-6000, merely drench the piece in Goof Off or Oops overnight to cause the glue to weaken. When softened the compositions should separate. Apply this merchandise outside or in a good vented region.

05/11/10 – Two Part Epoxy – I choose to employ a two part epoxy to bond jewelry findings to fused glass artwork. When buying, make certain to study the directions about the bondable substance and notice the tack time. You need one that will grant a bit of time prior to setting up on the project in case you want to displace things around during the pasting procedure.

Because the concoction bulges out of both positions of the tube, there isn’t a problem with combining the correct quantity. Merely pull away the points on the tubes. Dole out the quantity needed for the specific task. Employ equal force to the pistons so that it equally streams. Employ a popsicle stick or another expendable object to stir the 2 mixings collectively.

This product sets up moderately quick, therefore you’ll want to have the art objects and findings available to go prior to mixing. I commonly mix the glue upon freezer paper or a Styrofoam plate. I notice that the adhesive material mixes easily on this surface and the cleaning is effortless. Employ a toothpick to apply the epoxy glue to the glass composition then simply bond your bail or different finding.

Press the jewelry finding into position. Tidy up any gum that may have dropped on different portions of the glass. Cleansing could be accomplished employing a scrubby and a bit of soap and water. Check it sporadically to make sure that it has not slipped or traveled out of place. Once the adhesive material has tacked together, the assemble is completed.

05/04/10 – Chili Pepper – Chili pepper, chilipepper, chile pepper, or chilepepper, which ever manner you singly spell them, these are red hot peppers! These intensely scorching peppers are employed to zest culinary meals, or consumed to contribute a bit of gusto to a meal. They’re occasionally stewed, deep-fried or dehydrated then chopped up, gorged or left whole before utilization.

These cayennes in reality began flourishing in the Americas, but now they’re farmed all over the world. Not exclusively used as food but they are also as medicine.

Because they sprang up in the Americas, it’s suiting that they virtually appear to stand for Mexico. They’re used to beautify kitchens and home items.

05/03/10 – Cinco de Mayo – The holiday of Cinco de Mayo, while rather popular in the United States, it’s only slightly celebrated in the country of Mexico. There are numerous Mexican holidays and festivals observed in the Mexican civilization. This peculiar festivity is more of a territorial holiday. The holiday observes the May5, 1862 triumph over the French at Puebla, Mexico.

In the U.S.A. the festivities include details from the Mexican civilization. These generally include Mexican food, drinks, music and ornaments. The hues are brilliant reds, greens and yellows.

Brilliantly dyed streamers adorn walls and streets as marches parade by crowds of individuals. Nonpublic parties are given with the Mexican subject. Everybody is consuming tortilla chips and salsa whilst washing it down with a tasteful margarita.

This page will house a few designs that may be utilized for observing this holiday. Each individual connection will direct to a different page that will not only feature finished instructions but a blueprint. Conform the design to accommodate your specific demands.

The projects could be fused and donned as a pin on your celebratory getup. Create them as gifts to distribute to your acquaintances and family to assist everybody in getting into the savory climate.

Fuse the patterns into additional pieces of glass and convert them into dip trays for your chips and salsa, or bowls to clutch your chips. Put a boastfully assemble in the middle or your figure and bestow a lot of brilliant frit to generate the visual aspect of confetti.

04/17/10 – Boiling Glass – Boiling glass, also called boiled glass is a high fire procedure that’s executed within a kiln. While glass does not boil in the same way water boils, whenever heated up to a piercing enough temperature, a lot of glass will lose elements in its composition and begin to vaporize. This age-old Klaus Moje process produces what is like boiling glass.

Roughly the most beneficial facts on the web concerning this operation are the TechNotes #4 by Bullseye. If you view the remarks on “Heat and Glass” you’ll discover that they demonstrate with a graph that shows what occurs as glass becomes hotter within the kiln. Between 1600-1700 degrees Fahrenheit burps start to appear from the lowest layer and up through the surface level.

When the glass becomes hotter, entrapped bubbles start to ascend to the top surface. This is induced by the advanced temperature within the kiln and the chemical alterations in the glass when it starts to become more liquid. When the bubbles start displacing toward the top surface they pull the coloration upwards through the assorted levels. So, while the glass in reality does not boil, the protruding bubbles impart a visual aspect of boiling the glass.

Boiled glass can be fabulously uncertain. A few people will say that glass will not boil, but attempt this process and you’ll become a believer. Through the usage of advanced heat the lowest colorations bubble up to the crown level. In this technique, they impart their individual key signature and create exceptional blueprints in the glass.

04/16/10 – Earth Day – Earth Day is almost here and what a great way to make some designs to make others aware of this critical date. Earth Day is really like the World Environment Day. Both of these days are fashioned to awaken regard and gratitude to the Earth about us. Protecting the globe originally became an event during the 1960’s once individuals awakened to the truth that mankind was ruining and inducing mayhem on the environment.

The beginning day of Spring in the Northern hemisphere falls on April 22, and it’s also the premier day of Fall in the Southern hemisphere. This day was selected to observe worldwide, and to assist everyone in becoming remindful of how everyone can help preserve our globe.

While this festivity has been about for a while causing individuals to be mindful of the grandness is still required. Demonstrate your patronage and help salvage our Mother Earth for coming generations.
This specific page will display designs and patterns that may be employed to produce items in junction with your endorsement. Work the models into pivots that may be donned on April 22nd or fuse them into presents to devote to acquaintances and family.

The first and only pattern added this year is the Plant a Tree Design – This design only takes a few pieces of glass and some stringers. It will make an adorable pin to wear on Earth Day. Make plenty to give to all your friends and family.

04/11/10 – Puffy Glass Effect – This puffy glass figure bears a darkish green crest layer with gentle pallid green foliage bulging through the top layer. The unique and attractive construction has a delicate bloated 3-D texture. While it appears challenging to accomplish, it is actually exceedingly elementary.

You will want to decide the glass and pattern you’d like to employ. I first chose the chromatic foggy glass and the clearer light-green translucent glass. I imagined that foliage on a long shank would seem fantastic with these hues.

Employ the figure offered at the bottom of this page, or you are able to construct a stencil utilizing circles, blossoms, hearts, stars or any blueprint that you’d wish to duplicate. They’ll need to be either falling from a strand like dangling or suspended on an arched line so that they could be cut with a glass saw. Construct a few of the figures big, medium and small to bring a lot of interest to the art object.

Decide which one of the details you want to expand. You could construct all of them puffy if wanted, but I believe just having some amplified introduces a lot of charm to the figure.

Utilizing fiber paper is the key to supplying the raised 3-D visual aspect. Layering several sizes of it will grant the assemble a more pear-shaped effect.

04/08/10 – Stringer Bowl – Interweaving glass stringers to create a stringer bowl calls for time and forbearance. You’ll require a couple of bundles of stringers, glue or hairspray and one of your glass slumping forms.

Glass stringers arrive in an assortment of tinges. The beginning step in this operation is to decide the hues you would like to apply to construct your project. A hint would be to utilize one darker color and quite a few clearer or see-through hues. Utilizing too many dark colorations will not permit the complex radiation pattern to be seen.

Buy at the least one tubing of clearly transparent glass to construct a few of the levels and to pose in the design. The see-through clear glass will assist you in viewing the pattern in the completed merchandise.
I’ve created a YouTube video recording to demonstrate the various steps in accomplishing this project. Follow the video recording and scan the directions.

04/05/10 – Comb Honey – This Comb Honey design will give your glass the appearance of a honeycomb or swiss cheese. It is an extremely easy process and I have even included a YouTube video that shows you each individual step, going from a blank piece of glass, cutting the glass, adding the embellishments, fusing the piece, and to the final project.

If you would like to check out just the YouTube video here it is…enjoy!

04/04/10 – Fancy Egg – Are you fascinated with creating a fancy egg for the Easter holiday? This is a graciously big egg shape. Grace the egg with components like frit, stringers, Glassline paints, etc. Or merely impart a boastfully bow for a primary yet very exquisite visual aspect. View the pattern at the bottom of the page to bestow a bow on the piece.

Easter just would not be the same without a couple of Easter Eggs. Who does not enjoy donning gala pins for the holiday? They will not want to be scampering about a dewy moist lawn on Easter dawn seeking Easter eggs while they don one of these. With this effortless shape you can create eggs for everybody this holiday season.

04/03/10 – Duck Egg – This new pattern is for a delightful duck egg design. This delicate gentleman is just taking a glimpse out of his newly hatched egg. Perhaps he is speculating what his future possesses. He might be wondering if he will someday become a dabbling duck, a diving duck, or someday be consumed for a unique occasion.

His delightful Anatidae mug is glancing out of the cracked egg with two darting eyeballs and an extremely hefty brilliant orange bill. The eggshell that encases him can be garnished for the Easter holiday.

Encircle him with any shade of egg color. Apply a mixture of trimmings to trim and decorate the egg. If you look at the picture, I have used Glassline paints to bejewel my eggshell.

04/02/10 – Duckface – Everybody will go quackery all over this Duckface project. With spring in the air it’s time for all the lovable infant creatures to arrive, and also this quacky duck face design. Baby ducks and chicks seem to be the theme during this time of the year, only create room for this wacky guy.

This Easter duck is a really primary and easy figure. He has an enormously boastfully platypus type of bill seated in the middle of his ample yellowed duck head. Utilize 2 dots for the eyeballs or the blueprint below and a little Glassline paints. Paint the dots in the eyes, two blobs on the nose and a crease on the crest of his bill.

Butterfly #2

In 2007, I blogged about a fused glass red butterfly pendant I slumped to give it dimension.  A couple of weeks ago, a customer asked me if she could buy the fused glass pendant for a friend who is getting married.  Unfortunately, the butterfly came with the mold, so I didn’t have another one to sell her.

Since I started using a ring saw to cut out shapes, I told her I would try to recreate the butterfly.  The fused glass butterfly #1  in the picture above is the first one I cut out.  I didn’t think it was like the original butterfly, so I cut out a second butterfly.  I liked this one better.

However, the customer didn’t care for the first butterfly.  She wanted the top wings larger and the bottom wings smaller.  I made a sketch of another butterfly and she really liked it, so I will be cutting out another one tomorrow or the next day. 

Christine — Glass Artist

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Click here to see more of my Fused Glass Art:  www.mastersglassart.com

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04/01/10 – Easter Egg Chicken – This itsy-bitsy Easter egg chicken boasts a brilliant orange snout, looney legs, adorned body and a couple of suspension feet. An Easter egger that’s sprucely appareled Easter chick. He’s prepared to observe the Easter season.

He has an empty ring about his abdomen that could be bejeweled and embellished to fit your wanted appearance. Apply a few bowed or split stringers, dots, frit, etc. to heighten the visual aspect.

The legs could be cut from glass or utilize a few bent rods and then just fuse them to the piece. A different way to create this zigzag aspect could be to bond a few pipe cleaners after the piece is firing. They could be twisted and bent to apply you a real contrary and fascinating appearance.

03/30/10 – Easter Egg Nest – Create a catching presentment this year when donning this endearing Easter egg nest pin. Everyone knows that Easter eggs are not really put into our nests by the Easter bunny, but yet every Easter we still expect to find these adorned goodies in downy bird-like nests.

To impart a little dimension to the piece, add a some frit or stringers. The Easter nest will be bland and not as exciting as it will be with a couple of added ornamentations.

The petite itty-bitty eggs could be adorned also. Apply some Glassline frit, paints or additional pieces to enhance the design.

03/29/10 – Easter Cross – The Easter cross possesses numerous meanings for many of the Christian festivals. Easter isn’t observed on the same Sunday every year. It’s viewed a mobile holiday that’s not fastened to a particular day.

This cross stands for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the symbolization reminds us of his death. It’s a hallowed symbolization that stands for trust in this event.

Decorate the cross with some white lilies and it will emphatically represent Easter. Leave it unadorned, however and it could be adorned all year long to exhibit your faith in Christianity.

03/15/10 – Leprechaun Pot of Gold – The Leprechaun pot of gold is a significant piece of the Leprechaun fable. It’s told that a Leprechaun is caught, he must gift you his prize of gold. It’s also told that at the ending of a rainbow is where his obscure loot can be located.

This design is among my preferred pot of gold crafts. I’ve made pots out of paper, and clay. Now you can make a pot of gold out of glass. The project consists of the blacken pot, the treasure of gold and in this pattern a clover applied as a decoration. Use your imagination to adorn the pot any way you’d like. Stringers, Glassline or frit can be added to the pattern.