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 |
- Assemble the six 2 1/2" clear strips into a six-pointed star.
- Place the clear circle over the center of the six strips. Secure with fusing glue.
- 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 |
- Using the 1" strips, assemble outer leaves. Secure with fusing glue.
- Place one green circle onto the end of each arm of the snowflake.
- 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 |
I just got a kiln and am just starting the learning process. I have not fired a single thing yet, tomorrow will be my first attempt! Next I want to try your snowflakes! Can you tell me more about the fusing...you say 1465 degrees for 5 minutes. Anneal for 20 at 960...my question (again totally new at this) did you ramp as fast as possible to 1465? or did you do so many degrees per hour?
ReplyDeleteThank you for doing this way back in 2007 - it has become a staple among many glass artists who wants to make snowflakes. Your post is clear and concise and snowflakes in glass can be come an obsession.... Are you doing glass anymore? Consider blogging again :-) Have a great holiday season!
ReplyDelete-Phyllis pkw@wendelboe.com
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ReplyDeleteI am 79 and recently retired from teaching Ceramics for thirty five years. I would love to make this Snowflake in my new Skutt 14 Firebox kiln, can you give me more details on heatwork and rate of climb etc thank you VR
ReplyDeleteThe standard program that came with my kiln looks like this:
Delete300F at 500F/hour, hold 5 minutes
1465F at 800F/hour, hold 5 minutes
950F at maximum rate, hold 30 minutes
800F at 175F/hour, hold 10 minutes
See: http://www.skutt.com/pdf/HotStart/HotStartManual_PR.pdf
This is an old thread but a timeless project. I've just got a new 6.4.2.CE Designs kiln and the suggested schedules which came with it are for float glass, so the temps are slightly out for 90 COE. However, for small/single thickness items the schedule says to ramp up as fast as possible to the chosen firing temp for all types of fuse. I was surprised and a bit apprehensive, but it works perfectly. As long as the ramp down is slow as normal, it works perfectly. Saves loads of time too!
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