Dichroic Glass Jewelry

Has anyone seen my glasses???  Here’s a unique gift idea for anyone who wears glasses (and who doesn’t?), whether for reading or driving or just regular old sunglasses.  This fused glass eyeglass dish is the perfect place to always put those glasses when not using them.  It’s great on the bedside table or for the bath and you will always be able to find them.  It makes a great gift–unusual and so affordable.  Check out my website for the entire collection of fused glass home decor items.

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.
 

Try not to get your glass jewelry wet or expose it to chemicals, as this will permanently alter the glass’ color. It is also fragile and needs to be protected against breakage from being dropped or hit.

If you choose to wear your jewelry daily, be aware that the surface color may change over time.

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. 

Taking care of jewelry is a recommended process, but more so if you have glass jewelry.  Glass jewelry is often unique and delicate and therefore will require just a tad bit more help than your typical bracelet or necklace.  For example, it may not be such a bad idea to get a velvet bag for your glass pieces, so they are protected when you put them away.  Also, purchasing a jewelry box (if you don’t have one) is absolutely essential.  By placing the glass jewelry in a bag, you can make sure that they aren’t scratched by other items you have stored away.

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. 

Recently I received a call from a young woman who had seen my jewelry creations at a local gallery. She was looking for something special to wear to her upcoming afternoon garden wedding. She wanted to see more of my work and she wanted to try on a few pieces with her wedding dress. I invited her over to my studio so she could look it all over and try on things with her dress. She picked out a necklace and wanted a few changes, which I made for her. Could I make her a bracelet to go with it? Definitely! Could I make her some earrings also? Of course! Then she asked if I could make her a headpiece? “That’s pushing it a bit,” I said. But after thinking about it longer, I said “Sure, I can do that. At least, I will try.” So, I’m making something that will be covered with ribbons. Maybe I’ll add a few beads. My motto is take a risk!