Sunday, January 7, 2007

Glass Fused Snowflake

Overview

This blog describes how to make a simple glass fused snowflake.

Components

Cut several strips of clear glass about 1/4" wide. Approximately three feet is needed for one snowflake.

Cut Strips

Break on score

Strips

From the clear strips, cut the follow:
  • Six pieces 2 1/2" long
  • Twelve pieces 1" long
  • Twelve pieces 3/4" long

Cut six squares approximately 1/2" wide from green transparent glass. Remove the corners to form crude circles. Save the chips (corners) for later use.

1/2" squares

Squares, corners removed


In a similar fashion, cut one 1/2" circle from clear glass.

The picture below shows the components necessary to create one snowflake:


Parts


Assembly


1. Arrange in star pattern

2. Cap with clear circle

3. Add inner leaves

Closeup
  1. Assemble the six 2 1/2" clear strips into a six-pointed star.
  2. Place the clear circle over the center of the six strips. Secure with fusing glue.
  3. Form inner leaves. Place two 3/4" strips on each snowflake arm about 1" from the center. One end should rest upon the arm, and the other on the kiln shelf. Secure with fusing glue.

4. Add outer leaves

5. Add green circles

6. Add green chips

Closeup
  1. Using the 1" strips, assemble outer leaves. Secure with fusing glue.
  2. Place one green circle onto the end of each arm of the snowflake.
  3. Accent each inner leaf with a green chip (saved corner of squares). Place a small drop of fusing glue, and then a green chip on the end of each inner leaf.

Fusing

Place the snowflake into the kiln, and fuse at 1465oF for 5 minutes. Anneal for 20 minutes at 960oF. Flash cooling (crashing the kiln) is not necessary.

Finished Snowflake


Snowflake

Snowflake