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Complete Guide to Fusing Glass

By Kristin Arzt

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Complete Guide to Fusing Glass

Fusing glass offers a myriad possibilities for creating both functional pieces and artwork with color and form. Glass fusing teaches you about how glass directly interacts with heat, and how to safely cut and fuse glass into one piece.

What is glass fusing?

Glass fusing is the process of joining compatible sheet glasses together in a kiln until the glass fuses at approximately 1490 degrees Fahrenheit. It grants you the power to create colorful, dynamic works of glass art that are completely unique. Unlike many other glass forms, glass fusing allows you as much time as you need to bring your designs to life since you are working with the glass while it is cold.

What is fused glass?

Fused glass refers to any piece of glass formed after heating two or more pieces of glass together in a kiln. 

The art of glass fusing

Fused glass is used to fabricate plates, tiles, bowls, jewelry, wall hangings, and other artistic creations. You only need a kiln and a few simple tools to create a finished fused glass piece. On a larger scale, Glass blowing is used to make vessels and other forms that cannot easily be made in a kiln. Glass blowing requires a large furnace to melt the glass and other equipment to complete the process. Cast glass uses a mold to create a 3-dimensional sculpture that is kiln fired, then coldworked with grinding and polishing equipment. Glass flameworking uses a torch to make a finished glass piece, but the size is limited to smaller objects.

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How to fuse glass

Once you have the proper equipment and studio safety in place, there are limitless possibilities of what you can create with fused glass. You have the option to fuse it flat or add texture, mixed media, and more. Fusing glass is also the first step in creating dynamic slumped glass artwork. Below you will find the basic steps to get started with glass fusing.

  • Step 1: Prepare your workspace

    Assemble materials and tools needed to cut glass. Prepare your kiln shelf with a kiln wash, or line the shelf with firing paper.

  • Step 2: Prepare your glass

    Cut the glass into desired shapes. You may want to grind down the edges to create cleaner lines, but this is optional. Make sure the glass is clean with no smudges or fingerprints. If your glass is dirty when it goes into the kiln, smudges can fire into the glass, leaving a mark on the piece.

  • Step 3: Assemble your glass

    Assemble the project in the kiln, making certain that the piece is not too close to the edge of the shelf or adjacent projects. If assembling your glass into a complicated design, we recommend tacking pieces together with a small amount of glue. Applying too much will leave residue after firing, but a small touch helps ensure that your design remains intact when transporting your piece(s) into the kiln.

glass fusing
  • Step 4: Fire your piece

    Fire the kiln to the appropriate temperature and firing schedule. Before removing your piece from the kiln, check to see that the glass is completely cool.

  • Step 5: Admire your fused glass!

    Admire your fused glass masterpiece! If your fused glass is going to be slumped, check the edges for any rough or sharp points. If you find any sharp edges that need grinding, start from the backside with a grinder or diamond hand pad before working your way forward.

  • Step 6: Optional glass slumping

    If the piece is to be slumped, place it carefully on the mold and fire to slumping temperature. Otherwise, the piece is finished and ready for display or to be used. Make sure you hand wash any fused glass and handle it with care.

glass fusing

Examples of fused glass at The Crucible

Daniel Stauber: “Flow Fuse #3”

Daniel used a patterned bar flow fusing to achieve this pattern. Strips of glass are stacked and placed in the kiln in a dam, and the glass is heated until it flows together and creates a single fused piece.

glass fusing

Janet Heibert: “Magnolia Parasol”

Janet fused, then slumped, the glass to create patterns and depth in this piece. She also incorporated copper embellishments.

glass fusing

Beginner student work

This piece was made in The Crucible’s beginner-level Glass Fusing & Slumping I class.

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How to start fusing glass

There are a number of online resources, but taking an in-person class is ultimately the best way to learn. Taking a glass fusing class with the guidance of an experienced glass artist is necessary, both for your safety and to create the highest quality work. Keep in mind that when you are first starting out, an in-person class will be less costly than setting up a proper glass fusing studio at home. Due to the high costs of setting up your own studio, starting by taking an in-person class is recommended.

Learn to fuse glass at The Crucible

You can learn to heat and reshape glass in the intense heat of a kiln to create art pieces or practical objects like plates and bowls in classes at The Crucible. Individual classes teach you to combine colors, paint on glass, and incorporate recycled materials to create beautiful and ecologically sound art. Whether you want to drape glass into a new shape or fuse colorful patterns and shapes, The Crucible has you covered. We offer a variety of classes from shorter 3-Hour Tasters to give you a short introduction to the art of glass fusing, to more in-depth intensives like Glass Fusing and Slumping I. Once you have the foundations down, you may opt to level-up to Kiln Formed Glass, or try a self-guided Glass Fusing and Slumping Lab.

glass fusing

Glass fusing FAQs

What kind of glass is best for glass fusing?

Soda-lime glass is commonly used for fusing because of the temperature range of the kiln and the great amount of accessory glass available for design application. These include frit (crushed glass), stringers (threads of glass), and dichroic glass (metal fused to the glass in a vacuum chamber). Float (window glass) glass can also be fused, but it is a different COE (coefficient of expansion) than the soda-Lime glass, meaning fusing temperatures and time would vary.

What temperature do you fuse glass at?

Soda-lime glass fuses between 1350 degrees Fahrenheit to 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. Float glass fuses 50 degrees higher than soda-lime glass.

Can you fuse glass at home?

Yes, if you have the proper kiln and a computerized controller or a pyrometer to show the temperature of the kiln. Also, cutting tools and a glass grinder are helpful to have in your home studio.

How long does it take to fuse glass?

Depending on the glass and the size and thickness of the project, it can take anywhere from three to four hours for smaller pieces, and up to 13-14 hours for larger pieces. After fusing, the glass must be cooled slowly and annealed at 900–1000 degrees Fahrenheit to relieve stress that builds up during the firing process.

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This Guide Has The Expert Stamp of Approval

Janet Hiebert, Glass Fusing & Slumping Department Head

Janet has devoted the last 35 years to exploring the complex and exciting possibilities of stained and kiln-fired glass. “The enthusiasm of seeing others share my passion for glass is rewarding and inspirational,” Janet shared.

You Can Learn To Fuse Glass

The Crucible has new glass fusing classes offered weekly.