Fusing with Frit

I’ve been working on a new series of chipbowls and salsa dishes, using window glass which is (usually, almost) free around here, left over at construction sites – Thank-you, Kristina.

People have been curious about the process so here is what I do.   I like the philosophy of recycling glass but the material is not as forgiving as System 96 glass which is made specifically for fusing.  The learning curve has been steep.

After cutting the ¼” thick glass to the size I want, I mix up a paste of glass frit powder with an organic fusible gel.

The paste is spread across the glass and left to air dry in the sun.

Then, with a soft pencil, I draw a design on the dry glass powder.

The design is carved away with a drummel tool.

The negative spaces are then refilled with a different color of glass powder.

When the design is complete, the piece is fired at full fuse (1535F for float glass).

Before molding the piece in a second or third kiln firing, the edges are hand sanded with 80 and 220 grit.

All in all, it takes me nearly a week to finish a piece.

I’ve also been using fusible System 96 glass as well, which is more expensive but produces more consistent results.

February 19, 2017 | Categories: Process | Tags: art in costa rica, art in samara costa rica, fused glass, fused glass art, fused glass in samara costa rica, glass fusing in costa rica, glass fusing with float glass, Handmade, handmade fused glass | 2 Comments