Guest Blogger: Jeanne Baruth for Diamond Tech

Fuseworks^TM Microwave Kiln is fast, fun and easy to use. Create beautiful glass baubles and pendants in approximately 3 minutes. It is recommended for ages 16 years and older, as the glass inside the kiln can reach temperatures of 1400ºF-1500 ºF.View a complete set of the Fuseworks^TM Kiln instructions and popular Q&A about the kiln at Diamond Tech’s Website: www.DiamondTechCrafts.com.

Here is one of my favorite little glass projects, guaranteed to bring fusing success to even the beginner!

First, it is recommended that you use Fuseworks^TM glass in the Fuseworks^TM  Kiln. Cut one piece of black glass in a 1″ X 1″ square. Cut one piece of clear dichoric glass in a 1″ X 1″ square.

Clean your squares with clear water and a lint free cloth. Be sure your glass is completely dry.

Cut a 2″ square of kiln paper. Place the kiln paper in the center of the bottom of the kiln.

NOTE: There are two sides to clear dichroic glass. Side “A” will give you a matte finish when facing upward in the kiln. Side “B” will give you a glossy finish if facing up.

How do you tell which side is A and which is B? Use a pen! Touch the tip of the pen to the clear dichroic glass surface. If you can see the reflection of the pen and the reflection appears to touch the actual pen tip; that side is “Side A” or the side containing the dichroic coating, naturally the opposite side would be side “B”. 

Place the black glass square in the center of the kiln paper. Put the clear dichroic on top of the black glass with side “B” facing up towards the top of the kiln.

Gently place the kiln bottom in the microwave, cover with the lid.

Fuse using the chart below. PLEASE NOTE: All microwave and kiln combinations will have different firing patterns. Be sure to take careful notes and log all fusing times for future use.

After the first time interval, open microwave and, using Hot Mitts, carefully lift the lid just enough to inspect the fusing process. Next, proceed to the second firing interval of 1 minute: 30 second. Open the microwave using Hot Mitts, carefully lift the lid again just enough to inspect the fusing process. Continue to fuse in 30 seconds interval until the desired results are achieved.

Remove kiln from microwave using the Hot Mitts and place on a heat resistant surface. Cool the kiln for at least 30 minutes with the LID ON. Do not removing the lid or peek under the lid during the cooling stage or this may result in your glass cracking. Glass remains hot for a long time and should be handled with great caution. 

When cool, adhere a large gold bail to the back of the pendant using a glass adhesive such as E6000®. Allow to dry according to glue manufacturer direction. Slip pendant onto your favorite chain and enjoy.

FUSING CHART

I’ve been fusing glass for about 5 years now and it’s a craft that is always fascinating. Glass fusing is basically layering several pieces of glass with the same COE and then fusing the pieces together in a kiln or heat source.  The layers of glass create a new single piece of glass.  You can then go on to slump the fused glass using a mold to create bowls, plates, and all kinds of art.

The process is time consuming.  You must create a design or use a pattern.  You need to cut the pieces of glass.  Clean all the pieces to remove any oils or dust.  You then layer your pieces onto a kiln shelf (that is either prepared with kiln wash to prevent sticking or with a piece of shelf paper). You then must fire or bake the glass in a kiln for a timed process.  You can’t just super heat glass because it will shatter so you slowly ramp up the heat in the kiln until the glass melts and then slowly ramp the heat down.  There are schedules prepared by the manufacturers of the glass to help you time the firing.  Once fired, the glass must cool before you can continue.  Fused pieces can take several hours or several days to create. The end result is worth it!

Diamond Tech has created a product kit that turns glass fusing into a very do-able, easy to understand process with its Fuseworks Beginner’s Fusing Kit.  Imagine fusing glass in your microwave in minutes! I have to be very honest, I couldn’t believe fusing could be done so quickly, but all my doubts were gone after my first fusing with the kit and its mini Fuseworks Microwave Kiln!!!

You get a ton of stuff in the kit: an assortment of 90 COE glass, Dichroic bits and pieces (beautiful patterned glass), millefiori glass (small discs that have patterns like flowers and such), confetti glass (thin shards of glass), kiln paper, glass cutter, hot mitts, and jewelry findings (earring sets and bails), plus very well written instructions.  You can make many fused jewelry pieces with the supplies included in the kit.

And it really is as easy as cutting your glass, laying down the kiln paper, stacking your glass, putting the top on the kiln, placing the kiln in your microwave and microwaving for a few minutes!!!  I was thrilled with my pieces and I didn’t have to fire up my kiln… all I needed was my microwave. Your piece is even annealed during the 40-50 minute cool down.

A few words to know when fusing:

Anneal: this is a process where the glass becomes its strongest, all glass pieces should be annealed or there is a good chance of the glass cracking over time.

COE: Coeffcient of Expansion, this is usually given to you as a number: 90 COE, 104 COE.  All glass has a COE number and you can only fuse glass pieces that have the same COE number.  In other words you can’t mix a piece of glass with a 90 COE with a piece of glass with a 104 COE.  Manufacturers will give you the COE of their glass.

Dichroic Glass: A glass with multiple micro-layers of metal oxides which give the glass optical properties.

Dichroic glass shimmers when fused.

Millefiori: A glass work technique where rods of patterned glass are formed and then cut into small discs.

Many discs of millfiori are fused to create this pendant.

Check out my next blog when guest blogger Jeanne Baruth goes into detail about using this new Fuseworks Microwave Kiln!

Calling this meeting to order… Welcome to the first meeting of the Think Crafts! Kit Club where we talk about kits we’ve enjoyed! And each month one lucky club member will win the kit of the month!  See below for details…

There is nothing better in life than a great crafting kit!  Because of my love of kits I’ve decided to hold a monthly club meeting just for us kit junkies.  Kits are a great way to learn a new craft or technique.  Kits can also be perfect for taking on a long car trip or vacation. And kits make great gifts for family and friends!

Please feel free to post a comment or tell us about a kit you’ve enjoyed.   I don’t have many photos for our first club meeting, but please keep coming back as I hope to be able to add more visuals and maybe even a video or two!

Colonial I Felt Creative Felt By Number Kit

When this kit arrived, I ripped it open and started immediately.  I’m a felt fanatic and I loved the wonderful colors of the roving.  The kit is very complete with roving, two felting needles, design transfers, and excellent instructions.  The Colonial Needle Co. was a real leader in bringing back this traditional craft in a hip and innovative way.

You are given the design transfers (left) and the actual size felt by number pattern to match.

You can make 4 different mini stocking: snowman and star, bell, poinsettia, and holly.  You transfer the pattern onto fabric (acrylic or wool fabrics are recommended) or onto a sweatshirt, hat, or even a guest towel!  The instruction booklet gives you plenty of ideas.  The felting instructions are easy to follow so no worries if you are a beginner.  I’ve been felting for almost 4 years now and I learned quite a few new things including how to get rid of needle marks on the finished design (a spritz of water to the back and a little ironing!).

I really liked that the kit included the felting needles.  I usually have some handy, but it’s nice to start a project with a fresh sharp felting needle.  A foam board is included to work on.  Another big bonus in using this kit is that I can use the transfer designs several times.

Kit includes all the roving shown, plus the foam board and 2 felting needles.

I highly recommend this kit to anyone who wants to give felting a try without investing in all the supplies needed separately (it can add up!).  I also recommend this kit to anyone who enjoys felting and wants a specific project to make.  It’s a real time saver. You can easily adapt the patterns to create ornaments, a pretty touch to a sweatshirt, or as a pin!

I give this kit a five glue gun salute!

 
Would you like to win this Felt By Numbers kit?
Be the first person to e-mail me at Maria@thinkcrafts.com and this Felt By Numbers kit will be yours.  I will reply back to the first e-mailer requesting a mailing address.  Please don’t post any personal information on Think Crafts!

This contest is closed, the winner has been shipped the kit. Thanks to everyone who e-mailed in!