Fused Glass Class Basics- 4 weeks

This basic course in fused glass provides 8 hours of instruction in a small class environment over 4 weeks and is foundational to your intermediate fused glass classes.

All glass and tools are provided by the studio.

By the end of this class, students will:

- Understand the essential tools, materials, and safety practices in fused glass.

- Learn how to cut, arrange, and layer glass for fusing.

- Explore basic techniques such as full fuse, tack fuse, and slumping.

- Create at least one finished fused glass project.

Class Structure (4 Weeks)

Week 1: Introduction & Safety (2 hours)

- Overview of fused glass art and its possibilities.

- Studio safety: handling glass, using tools, kiln safety.

- Introduction to materials: sheet glass, frit, stringers, dichroic glass.

- Demonstration: basic glass cutting and scoring.

- Practice cutting straight lines, curves, and circles.

- Introduction to design principles: color, transparency, layering.

- Hands-on exercise: create a simple geometric design for a coaster.

Week 2: Understanding Fusing Techniques (2 hours)

- Full fuse vs. Tack fuse: differences in texture and finish.

- Kiln schedules: basics of heating, soaking, and cooling.

- Project: design and prepare a tack-fused piece with texture.

- Using frit, stringers, and noodles for detail work.

Week 3: Slumping & Shaping (2 hours)

- Introduction to molds and slumping.

- How to prepare molds with kiln wash or shelf paper.

- Project: slump a fused piece into a dish or bowl.

Week 4: Finishing Techniques (2 hours)

- Coldworking basics: grinding edges, polishing.

- Group critique and discussion of projects.

Final project: student choice (plate, panel, or art piece).

Materials & Tools (Provided):

- Glass cutter, running pliers, grozing pliers.

- Safety glasses, gloves.

- Kiln with programmable controller.

- Sheet glass, frit, stringers.

- Kiln shelf paper or wash, molds for slumping.

Student Outcomes:

- Confidence in cutting and designing with glass.

- Understanding of kiln firing schedules and fusing outcomes.

- Completed projects showcasing different techniques.