The
magical thing about glass fusing is you can work with the same materials for
years and all it takes to fascinate you again is the introduction of a new
component. The round Christmas ornament is far from a unique design. But add a
new twist, a little bling and amazingly you have a delightfully fresh version
of an old favorite.
At this
hectic time of year, we’re all looking for fast and flashy projects that make
great gifts. These easy to make ornaments are your ticket to wonderfully
productive studio time. What makes these simple pieces so attractive is the
paring of traditional holiday colors along with lively patterns.
Making the
Ornament Bowl
Begin by
cutting a 9-inch circle of clear glass for the ornament base. Cut 2 clear pieces
of glass to represent the bail of the ornament. Select your murrine and cut it
into 1/8-inch-long bits with mosaic nippers. Choose your holiday colors and cut
them into strips. Arrange the strips on the clear base. Separate the cut strips
with twisted cane. For added interest, include a strip of murrine.
Then, just
for fun, rearrange your materials. Try different combinations until you have a
pleasing pattern. I love this spontaneous type of assembly as it always
produces a more dynamic design than I originally imagined.
Using a
9-inch round paper pattern as a guide, draw the circle shape on the strips and
cane with a marker. Cut the strips and cane to fit neatly on the clear base
glass. Cut clear dichroic to represent the bail of the ornament.
Cut narrow
strips of dichroic on clear. Arrange the dichroic strips on the wide band of
color to make the snowflakes. Be sure the dichroic coating side is down so it
won’t scratch when the bowl is used.
Place the
assembled glass in the kiln on a primed or shelf paper lined kiln shelf. Stack
the 2 clear bails beside the circle. Overlap the white and the clear bails with
the dichroic bail to bridge the parts when fused.
Making the
Dichroic Ornaments
I plan to
use these little beauties as festive spoon rests in the kitchen. The dichroic
coating is fragile and will scratch if not protected by clear glass. When
making functional art with dichroic glass, I assemble the projects differently.
Unlike the first ornament, which was built on a clear base, the base of these small
decorations will be made up of pieces. The pieces will then be capped with a
single piece of clear glass to amp up the dichroic colors and protect the
coating from scratches.
Begin by
cutting 4-inch circles out of clear glass. Cut 2 bails for each of the ornaments
out of clear glass. Set the circles and bails aside. Cut a fun assortment of 4-inch
squares of dichroic on black into strips. Rearrange the strips to make four
unique ornament designs.
Add a few twisted canes for a lacy effect. Turn any
textured glass strips over. Using the clear circles as a guide, trace the circle
shape on the back of the dichroic strips with a silver marker. Cut the glass
and cane to match the circle. Turn the cut glass over and rearrange the strips
and cane. Cut a bail for each ornament out of dichroic on clear.
Place the
dichroic and cane layer in the kiln on a primed or shelf paper lined kiln
shelf. Cap the dichroic glass with the 4-inch clear glass circles. Stack the 2
clear bails beside the glass.
Full fuse all
five ornaments using the guide below.
If any of the
circles are uneven, grind the edges as needed to improve the shapes.
Place the
fused glass in slumping molds. Slump using the guide below.
I love including
functional art in everyday life. And the kitchen, being the hub of family
activity that it is, is a great place to enjoy personal, hand-made holiday
decorations.
Check
out the Glitzy Ornament Bowl Video Here!
Happy Holidays!
Lisa
Follow my blog for more tips and tricks!
Artist Website www.LisaVogt.net
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk
Facebook www.Facebook.com/LisaJVogt
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk
Facebook www.Facebook.com/LisaJVogt
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, adjust as needed.
Here’s the glass I used to
make these ornaments.
Glitzy Ornament Bowl, 9 Inch Round
Oceanside
Glasstile Spectrum and Uroboros Glass - System 96®
Clear, 100SF, 1 Sq. Ft. for Base
White, 200SF, ½ Sq. Ft for Design
Dark Green, 220-76SF, ¼ Sq. Ft for Design
Flame 60-602-96, ½ Sq. Ft. for Design
Twisted
Cane, Assorted colors, 17 for Design
Murine,
Red, White & Green, 1 for Design
CBS
Dichroic on Clear, Scrap
Glitzy Ornament Dishes, 4
Inch Round
CBS Dichroic on Black
Assorted
colors, 4 – 4 Inch x 4 Inch for Base Layer
Clear,
100 SF, 1 Sq. Ft for Second Layer
Ceramic Slumping Molds
1 – 10 Inch x 10 Inch Square
4 – 4 Inch x 4 Inch, Square
Advanced
Glass Fusing 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop
February 5 – 8, 2019
February 5 – 8, 2019
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.
This is the turning
point experience you’ve been waiting for.
Take
the next step and raise your artwork to an exciting new level of
sophistication. Join me for this comprehensive advanced technique, artistic
awakening and skill building workshop. You’ll love the intimate one-on-one
instruction, building multiple large scale projects, the creative momentum you
gain working for four consecutive days and the well-appointed classroom.
Get Ready for the Glass Craft and
Bead Expo
Las Vegas, NV
April 3-7, 2019
Class Registration Opens Wednesday,
November 18, 2018
Join me for an exciting week for fun
and fusing! Here’s my lineup of classes for 2019.
WE-16 - Fired Up! Fusing for the
Adventurous
TH-08
- Painting with Frit
FR-18
- Breaking Through – Making Exhibition Quality Art
NEW SA-22 -
Sculptural Fused Glass Art
NEW
SU-01 - Gallery Quality Fused Glass Made Easy
Learn at
home at your own pace. Instructional Videos are here!
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out my writer’s website.
