Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love the wide variety
of fun designs we can make to decorate our homes with a seasonal flare. I like
this particular plate for its free-form shape. The graceful curve around the
ghost’s head make it jump off the counter. But, don’t let the unusual shape
scare you. The subtle contours are actually easy to cut. And, you can always
grind the edge to fine tune the shape. Let’s get started.
How-to:
Cut a 10 inch clear circle for the base layer. Using the
pattern as a guide, cut the clear glass circle to match the irregular pattern
shape. Grind the glass to remove sharp edges and smooth the shape.
Cut white glass to match the clear base layer. Using a wet saw,
cut the background around the ghost’s head and arms away.
Pro Tip: No saw needed. If you
don’t have a saw, the white ghost layer can be made up of pieces. OR Cut the
white layer to match the clear base layer. Then make the shapes that outline
the ghost’s head and arms just like the eyes and mouth, with cut navy blue glass.
Tack glue the white layer onto the clear base with a small
amount of fuser’s glue. Let the glue dry before moving to the next step. Gluing
keeps the white glass from sliding around when you apply the frit.
Glue
Tip:
I like to use Elmer’s white glue. I
apply the smallest amount of glue possible with the tip of a tooth pick. The tiny,
pin head size dots of glue burn off during firing without leaving a distracting
haze between the glass layers.
Cut the ghost’s eyes and mouth out of navy blue glass. Grind
them to improve the shape. Set them aside.
Color
Tip:
When possible, I prefer to use dark, navy blue instead of black. Black creates
a visual hole in the artwork. While the dark blue adds a nice tonal quality
that gives the art a more interesting look.
Cut the letters out of bright, seasonal colors. Grind the
letters to smooth out the edges. Set them aside.
Once the glue holding the white layer in place is dry,
apply the frit. Using a spoon, pour power navy blue frit into the spaces that
outline the ghost’s head and arms. Leave enough room to add fine aventurine
blue for shading. Next add fine, aventurine blue. Concentrate the darker color on
the right side of the openings to create a moody shadow effect.
Using a small, dry paint brush clean any excess frit off
the white glass. Be meticulous with your clean up. It’s this type of attention
to detail that will make a huge difference in the visual quality of your finished
pieces.
Frit
Tip:
Pile the frit as high as the white glass that contains it. This gives the
transparent material strong color saturation, which in turn produces the
dramatic, high contrast effect we’re trying to achieve. If you ask yourself, is
it enough, add more frit.
Stack the cut glass eyes and mouth on the white layer.
Arrange the cut glass letters on the bottom in a semi-circle.
Fire the assembled project to a full fuse temperature using
the guide below.
Slump the fused project in a shallow plate mold using the
guide below.
Spooky Ghost Plate Glass & Materials
10 Inch Round Plate
Clear
glass, 1 sq. ft., for base layer
White
glass, 1 sq. ft., for ghost layer
Navy
Blue glass, large scrap, for eyes, mouth and shadows
Orange
opal glass, scrap, for letters
Teale
opal glass, scrap, for letters
Marigold
yellow opal glass, scrap, for letters
Amazon
green opal glass, scrap, for letters
Navy
blue, power frit, for shadows
Aventurine
blue, fine frit, for darker shadows
10”
slumping mold
Fuser’s
glue, small paint brush, spoon
Oceanside Fusible Glass and Bullseye
Fusible Glass
Fusing Guide
Segment
1: Ramp 300 F/hr to 1300 and hold 30 min.
Segment
2: Ramp 500F/hr to 1465 and hold 10 min.
Segment
3: Ramp 9999(AFAP*) to 960 and hold 40 min.
Segment
4: Cool to room temperature.
*As
fast as possible
Slumping Guide
Segment
1: Ramp 300 F/hr to 1265 and hold 10 min.
Segment
2: Ramp 9999(AFAP*) to 960 and hold 40 min.
Segment
3: Cool to room temperature.
*As
fast as possible
NOTE:
Kilns fire differently. Test fire these guides in your kiln and then adjust as
needed.
Keep being creative. You’re doing great!
Happy
Fusing!
Lisa
Follow my
blog for more tips and tricks!
Artist
Website www.LisaVogt.net
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk
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Author
Website https://lisajvogtcom.wordpress.com/
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Join me for this intense workshop held in my private
studio.
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited.
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited.
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