Abstract and geometric fused dichroic glass earrings

Many people ask me where I actually get my dichroic glass. I shop for it in a few online stores. My favorite is simply called ArtGlassSupplies and they have everything from dichroic sheet glass to fusible shapes and decals. I also like Stallings Glass Supplies, Delphi Glass ... and even Amazon. In other words, finding glass to purchase is pretty easy if you know where to look.

I'm a bit of an addict when it comes to acquiring new glass and LOVE sample and scrap sets. This way, I get many colors and patterns at once and don't have to choose! I recently purchased ArtGlassSupplies' "Etched Glass Mystery Box" and am really pleased with it. It contains five 1.5 by 1.5 sheets of patterned glass from their etched dichroic collection -- and the pieces are stunning.

Of course, I had to create something immediately, so I spent the next couple of weeks using these patterns in earrings and jewelry sets:

I've made many pairs of square earrings, but have been playing around with other shapes, like those triangles. I cut those by scoring across the end (the right angle) on the base glass, which always comes in square sheets. These long, thin strips are more difficult to cut in the base glass, but I really like how they look. Plus, the earrings are lighter and more comfortable to wear. The trick is to press firmly when scoring the glass, so you get a deep cut -- which makes it easier to snip the thinner piece. I've also been adjusting the tension on the glass cutter so I can get cleaner lines. For me, a looser tension works better on thicker glass, so I can properly grip it. I suggest experimenting with thin and thicker glass, so you can see which grip feels most comfortable to you.

The challenge with the triangles was fitting the dichroic strips onto the base. I found that the easiest way to do this was to cut regular strips of dichro and then use my snipper tool to clip the ends so they fit. I'm getting better at working the snipper, as well, and can now cut straight or angled lines with it. I used to make a mess and had jagged edges when I used it, but I'm much more comfortable with operating it.

I recently did a couple of craft fairs (more on that in a future post) and the new earrings got a lot of attention. It's hard to ignore the colors in the gorgeous glass! I just ordered another sample pack and can't wait to see what they send me. I'm looking forward to making many more new pieces.

Check out the rest of my handmade jewelry at Naomi's Designs, MayaGirl Creations and Instagram.

Creating multilayered fused glass dichroic pendants with patterned and clear glass

I've written several posts about my attempts to make multilayered dichroic glass pieces. Many of these attempts have failed because the glass broke or didn't fuse correctly, but I'm finally getting the hang of it! I'm now creating pendants that have four, five, six... and even seven layers of glass.

Lately, I've been experimenting with clear dichroic glass. I haven't worked much with this material, but the clear glass is great for fusing onto colored base glass or for creating layers. It has patterns and textures just like the dichroic glass on black, but is transparent. Therefore, when you fuse patterned clear glass on top of patterned opaque glass, you get a combo of those designs.

The trick to layering glass is to make sure each layer is even. I always start with a piece of base glass -- generally clear, black or white -- and then top it with opaque dichroics on black. However, I make sure that all of the dichros are the same thickness. This way, the next layer of glass will lay flat across. If you add a piece of say, Wissmach textured glass, which is lumpier than most other dichros, it'll be harder to get an even fuse. I like to use a dab of Krazy Glue to keep my pieces in place. The glue keeps the glass still for working purposes, but eventually burns off in the kiln.

Next, I add a few small clear pieces, choosing ones that have interesting tints and patterns. I then top it with a piece of clear base ... and then this is where the fun begins: I add a couple more layers of clear glass, again mixing up tints and patterns.

So far, seven is my record; that large blue piece that's at the top of this post is my seven-layer one. I didn't like how it turned out when I first took it from the kiln, but fell in love with it after it cooled and hardened. It reminds me of an ocean scene and I really like the color combinations.

I've found that if you pile the pieces on too high, the colors will become muddled and the glass will lose its shape. Basically, it's a bit like building a pyramid; I use more glass on the bottom and then use fewer -- and smaller -- pieces as I build up.

To heat such thick pieces, you need the larger microwave kiln. I do an initial firing for 9 minutes, then do 1 1/2-minute intervals. There's no way that these items would hold up in the small kiln; they'd probably break after about a minute of heating. Low and slow is the way to go!

I'm glad I'm paying more attention to the clear dichros because I'm going to be having my students work with colored base glass -- and I plan to show them how to fuse them with clears. I think they're really going to enjoy this lesson. I'm certainly enjoying my glass experiments.

Check out the rest of my handmade jewelry at Naomi's Designs and MayaGirl Creations.