FUSED GLASS ART

Fused glass pieces can be used as dishware, household items (such as vases, candleholders, coasters, soap-dishes, ring-holders, etc.), or as works of art that are displayed on the wall, in a stand, or made to hang in a window.

These pieces of glass art begin as shapes cut from glass.  The shapes are glued together and then fired in a very hot kiln, like a ceramic kiln, but to a higher temperature.  Many fused glass pieces are fired a second time to "tack fuse" smaller shapes of thinner glass decorations, that remain raised up from the smooth surface of the first firing, for a 3-dimensional effect.  Also, many fused glass creations are "slump fired" in a mold to form a shape, such as a platter or bowl.

The difference between fused glass and stained glass is that in fused glass the small pieces of glass are melted together in a kiln, or cooked in a very hot oven, and in stained glass, the small pieces of glass are connected with metal.