Glass Fusing

First attempt on right, second on left

It is half term this week so my daughter who is a teach was able to have some "me time" doing some crafting with me.

We had both love doing glass work, and fell in love with some sample work of glass fusing at a recent Craft Exhibition.    Well lo and behold, there was a microwave kiln kit for sale on one of the craft channels ... yes you guessed it ....... we bought one.

When it arrived we discovered that you really shouldn't use it in the same microwave oven as the one you cook food in, so a quick click on the great shop in the sky and a new cheap microwave arrived at her house over the weekend!

Our first attempt was the piece on the right, and the second the piece on the left, which started out looking like the picture below.  It's amazing that you start with a square flat piece and it ends up rounded!

Also in the kit was some jewellery findings, so using my jewellery glue we attached the bails.

We had time to try one more piece, which didn't quite turn out as we had expected.  It was made from three millefiori  pieces which we arranged to hopefully create a heart shape.   We made sure the pieces were touching, but in hindsight possibly we should allowed a small gap for the glass to flow into each other.  Still you learn, and it was only our first session.

Our third piece with millefiori -comparing the size!

It does take patience - but only waiting for the glass to cool down.   It takes about 6 mins for it to melt and 30 mins to cool down before you can touch it!   However, it was great fun.  (We are hoping to go on a course later in the year).