Fused Glass Reindeer

Overview

This blog describes how to make a fused glass reindeer Christmas ornament.

Reindeer

Pattern

Materials

To make this design you will need the following glass:

• Brown
• Red
• Green (Bulleye's Aventurine Green)
• White
• Clear

Also recommended is a 2" piece of high temperature wire.

Components

Antlers

Cut a strip of green glass as thin as possible (about 3/16" or 0.5cm):

Approximately 10" is need for one reindeer. Cut the strip into six pieces as follows:

• Four pieces 2" long
• Two pieces 1" long

Whites of the Eyes

Cut two 3/8" squares from white glass. Remove the corners and then grind them into rough circles.

Pupils

Wrap a scrap piece of black glass in paper and hit it with a hammer. Pick out two roughly round pieces about 1/8" in diameter.


Don't forget to wear eye protection and sweep up any stray piece.

Remaining Components

Cut the remaining components as specified in the pattern.

• Cut the ears and face from brown glass. Becareful to preserve the bulges on the side of the face; without them the eyes will droop off of the reindeer's face.
• Cut the clear semicircle. It must be smaller than the width of the face and the red nose.
• Cut the nose out of the brightest red glass available.

Summary

Below is a picture of all the parts needed to make one reindeer:

Assembly

1. Place two-inch antler pieces

2. Place wire (optional)

3. Place one-inch antler pieces

1. Place two-inch antler pieces in a V-shape.
2. Place high temperature wire on point of antlers.
3. Place one-inch antler pieces parallel to two-inch pieces such that there is a 1/2" gap between.

4. Place remaining antler pieces

5. Place ears

6. Place brown face piece

4. Place remaining two-inch antler pieces vertically on top of the existing pieces.
5. Place ears roughly horizontal, nearly touching in the middle.
6. Place the brown face piece such that the top covers the ends of the antlers and ears, and the bottom rests on the kiln shelf.

7. Place clear semicirlce

8. Place nose

9. Place eyes

7. Place the clear semicircle below the face.
8. Place red nose piece such that it overlaps the clear semicircle by about 1/8".
9. Place eyes and pupils.

Fusing

Place the reindeer into the kiln, and fuse at 1465^oF for 3 minutes. Anneal for 20 minutes at 960^oF. Flash cooling (crashing the kiln) is not necessary.

Finished Reindeer