I’m Crazy about Casting!

Glass casting offers the glass artist SO many opportunities to grow their skill level. This technique is a lot more involved than dumping fusible material into a container. Done well, it combines advanced design concepts, intricate model building, precise firings and imaginative finishing techniques. It’s this complex fusion of disciplines that makes casting different from routine glass fusing. This exciting mix elevates the artist’s thought process to a higher state of creativity, that’s equal parts engineering and artistry. 

But the real beauty of glass casting is in the literal thickness, the magic of elements suspended in space and the lure of integrating ornate patterns into an otherwise flat surface.

Like most glass fusing techniques, the confidence and proficiency you gain while building small scale projects later translates into finer, more attractive pieces of art. Here’s a fun, fast way to introduce yourself to the limitless possibilities of glass casting. 

Hearts on Fire-Casting Glass in Stainless Steel Cookie Cutters 

You’re going to adore theses charming symbols of love! Here’s your chance to discover why some glass fusers are so fascinated with glass casting. Don’t underestimate the power of these small tokens of affection. Give them a try and you’ll be surprised just how fast you begin to think about glass casting in an all new, flattering way! 

Stainless steel cookie cutters are available online and from your favorite cooking supply store in a wide variety of fun shapes and sizes. They usually cost only a few dollars. It’s a good idea to pre-fire the cookie cutters prior to filling them with glass. The pre-fire ensures that they can withstand sustained high heat, like that inside your kiln during fusing, without breaking apart. 

Step 1. Pre-fire the stainless steel cookie cutter, unfilled to a full fuse temperature of 1465 degrees to test the mold’s integrity and to burn off any oils that might be present from manufacturing.  

 

Step2. Line the inside of the cookie cutter with a 1 inch wide strip of 1/8 inch thick fiber paper. Be sure the smooth side faces inward. During the heating phase of firing both the mold and the glass expand. During the cooling phase, the thin stainless steel mold cools more quickly than the thick glass. Therefore, the mold contracts more quickly than the now fused glass. The thick 1/8 inch fiber paper serves as a buffer/cushion between the glass and the metal which prevents breakage. 

Step 3. Line the inside of the 1/8 inch thick fiber paper material with a 1 inch wide strip of Thin Fire fiber paper. Hold the two liners in place with a few pieces of strategically placed clear (gift wrapping) tape. Use only as much tape as needed to make the paper conform to the cookie cutter shape. Two or three small pieces should be enough. The glass slides, rather than drags, along the Thin Fire liner. This extra protective step reduces sharp points and drastically improves the finished edge quality of the fused glass piece. Used sparingly, the clear tape burns off without leaving a trace during firing.

Step 4.  Place the cookie cutter mold on a small, transportable kiln shelf and load with fusible glass to a level of ¾ inch thick. Don’t overfill; use the fiber paper liner as a height guide.

6 TIPS for filling casting molds. 

Tip 1. Mound your glass filler slightly higher in the middle of the mold so it flows to the edge during fusing for a smoother, cleaner edge.

Tip 2. Choose your filler wisely. Different materials will give you totally different effects. Mosaic size frit fills the mold quickly and provides great clarity, but the large number of open spaces in between the chunks results in big bubbles. On the other hand, powder size frit fills the mold more evenly and provides strong color saturation. But the very small particles don’t allow light to pass through and so the finished project will appear milky instead of clear. I suggest you use a combination of frit sizes. When casting, I generally avoid using power to get optimum clarity.  

  

Tip 3. Select light colors. For example: If you fill your mold only with a medium or fine size frit in a medium shade of purple it will look black when it comes out the kiln. Instead, use a combination of frit sizes. Alternate layers of clear with layers of color to increase the transparency of your finished piece. The beauty of casting is seeing design elements suspended in space. The addition of clear glass creates that illusion of space and depth.

Tip 4. Use mostly transparent glasses. Include some opal glasses for contrast, but use them sparingly as then tend to obscure other design elements. 

Tip 5. For maximum optical depth, layer design elements placing some on the bottom of the mold, some in the middle and some near the top. Stager the placement of these elements to emphasize the thickness of your artwork.  

Tips 6. Working with color. To increase the visual interest of your artwork use several shades of the same color. For example: Use light blue, medium blue and dark blue. Use both transparent and opal glasses in the same color. If you use a color in one place, repeat that color in two or more places to create consistency.   

Fire to a full fuse temperature. Remove the glass from the mold. Remove any sharp edges with a sickle stone or other glass file. 

I’ve had the pleasure of introducing numerous students to the many exciting facets of glass casting with these simple little hearts. While the student’s approaches varied, some planned intricate patterns and others preferred to let their designs evolve organically, one thing was true for them all; their pioneering efforts were rewarded with renewed inspiration. All of the students came away with a burning desire to further explore all the possibilities glass casting has to offer plus a radiant little glass heart.  

Fusing Guide for Stainless Steel Cookie Cutters up to 4 inch wide and 1 inch high

1, Heat at a rate of 300 degrees per hour to 1300, hold for 30 minutes.

2, Heat at a rate of 500 degrees per hour to 1565, hold for 10 minutes.

2, Heat at a rate of 999 degrees per hour to 960, hold for 40 minutes.

Let cool to room temperature.

Kilns fire differently. Test fire the fusing guide in your kiln and take notes.

Note: If you increase the size or thickness of the project a longer, more detailed firing program is needed.

Learn more advanced techniques and expand your glass casting experience in my 2-day, hands-on class. Cast Away, August 26-27, 2015 at D&L Art Glass Supply, Denver CO.

http://www.dlartglass.com/

Lisa@LisaVogt.net

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