More on Glass

A few people have asked about the glass I mentioned in the previous post. Fused glass is colored pieces of glass joined together by heating in a kiln. First thing you need to know is the Coefficient of Expansion (COE). As glass heats inside a kiln, it isn�t sitting still. Though it may look like it�s just sitting there, it�s actually contracting and expanding. Since fused glass is dealing with layers of glass, these layers are moving together and trying to figure out what to do. They want to squish together. However, if their COE doesn�t match then they have trouble with this and eventually will break apart, thus cracking and ruining the piece. So, it is crucial that all the glass used for the same piece being created have the same COE. We use Bullseye glass which have a COE of 90.

Next comes the cutting of the glass. Always wear goggles! We have the tool that has a grip and a handle that stores some of the oil. This type of cutter provides the user with more control. Next you score the glass and gently snap the two pieces. Often I would hold one end and use the breaker/grozier. The thing that looks like pliers.

After cutting, you grind grind grind the glass to a smooth surface. Wash it to get rid of fingerprints and then place it how you want, using a small dot of glue to keep it in place. Pop it into the kiln (well someone else does that) and you are done!