Blue Drop Out Vase Made Easy

Excerpt from my Creative Slumping Webinar

My favorite thing about glass fusing is its limitless possibilities. Beyond the basics, there are countless ways to work with this medium and get surprisingly unique results every time. There’s always something new to try and learn.

Another thing I love about glass is the three-dimensional aspect. We have the power to change the shape of our art and take it from flat to fabulous. Drop out molds are great props you can use to express your artistic flare in exciting, new creative ways.

What makes drop molds different?

When fused glass is slumped into a typical mold we retain the original design unchanged but now with a gentle three-dimensional shape. Whereas the process of reshaping glass by allowing it to fall through the hole in a drop out ring changes, and adds to the visual features of the design. As the glass drops through the ring the design elements blend and stretch which gives the illusion of movement in the finished project.   

    

Drop out mold do’s and don’ts.

As the glass falls through the mold it stretches. As it stretches, the side walls in the vase become thinner. If they become too thin the project is very fragile and may not be able to support its own weight. To prevent this, the fused glass is made with five layers of glass. The five layers of glass are contained with fiber paper during the fusing process to maintain the desired size. Without the fiber paper the glass would grow. We’d lose our size, shape and thickness needed to make a successful vase. 

Because dropping glass adds detail to the pattern, I’ve found that when it comes to the vase design less is more. Keep the design simple. An overcomplicated pattern makes the vase look clumsy and heavy instead of graceful and light.

To make the glass. 

Cut five 7-inch glass circles. Vary the design on the layers. Stack the 5 layers in the kiln on a primed or fiber covered shelf. Wrap the stacked glass with Thin Fire fiber paper and 1/8” thick fiber paper to maintain the desired thickness and shape during the fusing process. Hold the fiber paper ring in place with kiln posts. 

Fire to a full fuse temperature using the guide below.

To Make the glass base and riser.

Base: Cut two 4 inch circles, one black glass, one clear dichroic glass. Stack and full fuse.

Riser: Cut two 1 ½ inch circles out of clear glass. Stack and full fuse. 

Drop out mold set up. 

  

The round, ceramic drop out mold is 9-inch-wide with a 5-inch-wide hole. Cover the mold top with 1/8-inch thick fiber paper. This keeps the glass from slipping off the mold as it drops. If handled carefully, the fiber paper can be reused over and over.

Support the mold with four 5-inch-tall kiln posts. Cover the kiln bottom, below the glass with fiber paper.

Fire the glass to drop it through the mold using the firing guide below.

Cutting the rim. 

Cut the rim off with the 2 inch EverRun Sintered Diamond Slitter and Dremel. Grind and polish the rim. Glue the vase on the riser and base with E6000 adhesive. 

Kilns fire differently.

Test fire these guides. Take notes and make adjustments as needed.

Firing Guide – Full Fuse

Segment     Rate                Temp/Degrees            Hold/ Minutes

1                300                             1300                         60*

2                300                             1465                         10       

3                9999**                        960                           40

4                500                             800                           10

5 Let cool to room temperature

*This hold prevents bubbles from forming between the glass and kiln shelf.

**As fast as possible.

Drop Ring

Segment      Rate                Temp/Degrees          Hold/Minutes

1                500                             1200                        30

2                200                             1300                        60***

***Peek at 30 minutes and again at 45 minutes to monitor the drop.

When the glass touches the fiber paper lined kiln bottom go to the next segment.

3                Flash Vent                 1000                          0

4                9999*                          960                          40

5                 500                             800                         10

6 Let cool to room temperature.

*9999, As fast as possible.

**These firing guides are for System 96. They work equally as well with other COEs

Supplies & Materials

5 glass circles cut to 7 inch across

9 inch round ceramic drop out ring with a 5 inch hole

5 inch kiln posts

1/8 inch thick fiber paper

Thin Fire fiber paper

Tools & Materials

2 inch EverRun Sintered Diamond Slitter

Available at: His Glassworks www.hisglassworks.com

Variable speed Dremel with flexible shaft

Water source

Holding Tray

Grinder

Excerpt from my Creative Slumping Webinar

See it on YouTube Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sThARy3e0V4

Want more innovative ideas? 

Join me Tuesday for my Creative Slumping Webinar!

There’s still time to register.

As Seen in Creative Slumping Webinar,Tuesday

Creative Slumping Webinar

May 9, 2017

https://www.glasspatterns.com/glass-patterns-quarterly-store/product/1093-creative-slumping-with-lisa-vogt-may-9-2017.html

Webinars are a wonderful way to stay connected to other fusers and keep the creative flow strong between hands-on workshops. In this webinar, I show you how to use materials you likely already have in innovative ways to make new and unique shapes. You’ll be amazed at how simple combinations can transform ordinary shapes into sculptural works of art. I hope you’ll join me for this fun and informative live event.

Meet me in West Palm Beach!

Glass Quest 2017

May 26, 27 & 28, 2017

West Palm Beach, Florida

For more info http://www.mcmow.com/glass-quest-2017/

A weekend of education, inspiration and engagement for glass enthusiasts of all types. Incredible networking opportunities, as well as overall engagement in the evolving world of art glass education & advocacy! Meet & partner with other glass artists as we push the boundaries of Glass as a Contemporary Art Form!

Back by popular demand

Upscale Fusing Webinar

July 25, 2017

https://www.glasspatterns.com/glass-patterns-quarterly-store/product/1122-upscale-fusing-with-lisa-vogt-july-25-2017.html

Advanced Glass Fusing Workshop

September 26-29, 2017

4-Days, Hands-on, 

Register here http://www.lisavogt.net/products.aspx?id=477  

Wesley Chapel, Florida

You’ll love the concentrated, in-depth study and creative momentum you’ll gain while actively producing, nonstop for four consecutive days.

Push the boundaries art glass imposes. Explore innovative approaches to design and combine multiple advanced techniques to construct original art that reflects your own personal style. Enjoy: the one-on-one instruction, making large scale projects, the well-equipped classroom, and the intimate class size.

Advanced Glass Fusing Workshop

November 14-17, 2017

4-Days, Hands-on, 

Register here http://www.lisavogt.net/products.aspx?id=478

Wesley Chapel, Florida

Inspiration! Knowledge! Confidence! Get the tools you need to create exceptional glass art here. You’ll love the concentrated, in-depth study and creative momentum you’ll gain while actively producing, nonstop for four consecutive days.

Push the boundaries art glass imposes. Explore innovative approaches to design and combine multiple advanced techniques to construct original art that reflects your own personal style. Enjoy: the one-on-one instruction, making large scale projects, the well-equipped classroom, and the intimate class size.