Dichroic Glass Jewelry

This fused glass vase combines art and function.  Many pieces of cut glass decorate this piece, which has been decorated on both sides and fired in a kiln to 1475 degrees to fuse all pieces into one.  This same process was done on the front and then again on the reverse.  Then a third firing was done at a lower temperature to slump the flat piece of glass over a floral mold to give it the shape of this vase.  When not using as a vase for flowers, it makes a bold statement turned on its side as a sculptural piece of artwork. 

Mosaic is the art of creating images with small pieces of colored glass, stone or other material. It may be a technique of decorative art, an aspect of interior decoration or of cultural and spiritual significance as in a cathedral. Small tiles or fragments of pottery or of colored glass or clear glass backed with metal foils are used to create a pattern or picture.

Mosaics are often used in jewelry, vases and hanging art.
 

I have recently added a lot of new fused glass picture frames to my inventory in the website.  Please check these out.  When you have great photos from a special occasion, whether it’s a wedding or graduation or a vacation, don’t display them in a blah or generic frame.  A special photo deserves a distinctive frame-up.  Need particular colors for your frame to match your decor?  I can make it for you.  Most of these frames are decorated with dichroic glass to give them extra sparkle.

All the glass pieces have been cut to the precise size, then fired in a kiln up to 1465 degrees until all pieces fuse together to form one.  Finally, a metal backing with clear glass was added.  Now it is ready for your selected picture.

This piece of metalwork jewelry began as sheet copper that I cut out with a saw, then it was annealed and pickled.  The next step was to roll it through a rolling mill to obtain this texture.  After this it was annealed a second time and then quenched in warm water to obtain this interesting patina. 

Fused glass is a term used to describe glass that has been fired in a kiln at a range of high temperatures from 1100ºF to 1500ºF. There are 3 main distinctions for temperature application and the resulting effect on the glass.Firing in the lower ranges of these temperatures 1100º 1250º F is called slumping. Firing in the middle ranges of these temperatures 1250º-1350ºF is considered “tack fusing”.

Firing the glass at the higher spectrum of this range 1350º-1500ºF is a “full fuse”.

All of these techniques can be applied to one glass work (such as decorative glass platters) in separate firings to add depth, relief and shape.

This distinctive plate is a beautiful and functional serving piece.  It would make a terrific wedding gift, brightening up any table.  It has cut strips of opalescent glass fused (kiln-fired) onto a clear base.  After the first firing, it was re-fired to slump into a mold, giving it the shape of a plate.  It is perfect for serving hors d’oeuvres at your next party.  It is dishwasher-safe and food-safe, containing no lead. 

The great thing about this fused glass home decor is that it also is a beautiful piece of art by itself, displayed on a stand.  It is guaranteed to get compliments. 

Remember Mom with a gift for Mother’s Day that she will treasure and wear ofter.  This dichroic pendant and earrings set is one-of-a-kind and gorgeous.  Mom will be dazzling and she will appreciate your thoughtfulness.  The pendant comes with a 16″ black cord included.  Free shipping within the U.S.  Also get a free polishing cloth and anti-tarnish jewelry bag included. 

The care for dichroic glass jewelry is a very simple process, but necessary.  As each piece is unique, you want to make sure that the fused glass jewelry you own is taken care of, as it can’t be reproduced.  Here are some beginning tips:

Keep jewelry in a sealable plastic bag. Air and moisture can cause tarnishing.  It should only need cleaning once a year at most, maybe every two or three years.

If you think the gemstone is loose or it needs adjusting, have someone who does wirework look at it. 

Dichroic glass can be cleaned with glass cleaner or rubbing alcohol; use a cotton swab to apply.

Dichroic glass is a glass with multiple micro-layers of metal oxides which gives the glass dichroic optical properties.

Dichroic glass’s origins begin in the 1950’s and 1960’s when NASA developed them for use as optical filters — as a shield against cosmic radiation and many other uses – in satellite mirrors.

These days, dichroic is commonly found in glass jewelry form.  By fusing with other glass in multiple firings, each dichroic glass has a unique look and cannot be reproduced.

This dichroic pendant has been kiln-fired to create a color-shift that displays dazzling colors when viewed in the sunlight.  It has a silver bail and a sterling silver chain.  The colors range from blue and green to shades of red and gold on a black base.