Glass Fusing Course

Lesson 1 • Understanding Glass as a Material

Explains the physical and chemical properties of glass relevant to fusing. Connects material science to practical decisions made throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Studio Setup and Equipment Overview

Identifies essential equipment and workspace requirements for glass fusing. Students gain a realistic picture of what a functional studio needs.

Lesson 3 • History and Overview of Glass Fusing

Traces glass fusing from ancient origins to contemporary studio practice. Establishes context for why techniques and materials evolved as they did.

Lesson 1 • Sourcing and Storing Glass

Guides students in purchasing glass efficiently and maintaining an organised inventory. Proper storage prevents damage and contamination.

Lesson 2 • Testing Glass Compatibility

Introduces hands-on methods for verifying compatibility before committing to a project. Connects material knowledge to practical quality control.

Lesson 3 • Types of Fusible Glass

Surveys the main categories of glass used in fusing, including art glass and specialty sheets. Builds vocabulary for discussing and sourcing materials.

Lesson 1 • Scoring and Breaking Glass

Teaches the mechanics of scoring a clean line and applying controlled breaking pressure. This foundational skill underpins every cutting technique that follows.

Lesson 2 • Grinding and Edge Finishing

Covers wet-belt and glass grinders for refining cut edges to precise dimensions. Smooth, clean edges improve fit and reduce stress in the finished piece.

Lesson 3 • Cutting Safety and Waste Management

Reinforces safe practices specific to the cutting station and addresses responsible disposal of glass scraps. Builds habits that prevent injury and reduce waste.

Lesson 4 • Cutting Curves and Complex Shapes

Extends basic cutting skills to curved and irregular shapes needed for design work. Students practice progressive relief cuts to achieve smooth curves.

Lesson 1 • Sketching and Prototyping Designs

Teaches a workflow from thumbnail sketch to full-scale cartoon for glass layout. Prototyping reduces material waste and clarifies design intent before cutting.

Lesson 2 • Designing for Function and Form

Addresses design constraints specific to functional pieces such as plates, bowls, and tiles. Students balance aesthetic goals with practical requirements.

Lesson 3 • Pattern and Texture in Design

Explores how repeating patterns and surface texture contribute to visual interest. Students design pieces that use texture as an intentional compositional tool.

Lesson 4 • Composition and Balance

Introduces compositional principles including rule of thirds, visual weight, and focal points. Students apply these principles in sketching and glass layout.

Lesson 1 • Designing Firing Schedules

Teaches how to write custom firing schedules for tack fuse, full fuse, and slump. Students adapt schedules to glass thickness, project size, and kiln behaviour.

Lesson 2 • Understanding Firing Stages

Breaks down the temperature stages from room temperature through annealing. Students learn what happens to glass at each stage and why control matters.

Lesson 3 • Troubleshooting Firing Problems

Identifies common firing defects and their root causes in the schedule or setup. Students develop diagnostic skills to correct problems systematically.

Lesson 4 • Anatomy of a Glass Fusing Kiln

Identifies kiln components, heating elements, and controller interfaces. Understanding the hardware enables informed decisions about firing programmes.

Lesson 1 • Full Fusing for Smooth Surfaces

Covers full fusing to merge layers into a single smooth, uniform sheet. Students learn how layer count and glass thickness affect the final surface.

Lesson 2 • Tack Fusing for Texture and Dimension

Explores tack fusing to bond glass elements while preserving their individual edges and texture. Students practise layering to build low-relief compositions.

Lesson 3 • Using Stringers and Noodles

Teaches how to cut, bend, and place stringers and noodles for linear design elements. These thin glass forms add fine detail unavailable with sheet glass alone.

Lesson 4 • Dichroic Glass Applications

Explores the unique optical properties of dichroic glass and how firing affects its appearance. Students incorporate dichroic elements into flat fused compositions.

Lesson 1 • Mould Types and Preparation

Surveys ceramic, stainless, and fibre moulds and their preparation requirements. Proper mould prep prevents sticking and surface defects on finished pieces.

Lesson 2 • Draping and Free-Form Shaping

Extends slumping to draping glass over forms and creating free-form shapes without moulds. Students explore organic forms and sculptural possibilities.

Lesson 3 • Introduction to Slumping

Defines slumping and distinguishes it from fusing in terms of temperature and purpose. Students understand when and why slumping follows a fusing firing.

Lesson 4 • Slumping Firing Schedules

Adapts firing schedule principles to the lower temperatures required for slumping. Students write schedules that achieve full slump without over-softening.

Lesson 1 • Sandblasting and Surface Etching

Introduces sandblasting and chemical etching to create matte, frosted, or carved surface effects. Students design resist patterns and execute controlled surface treatments.

Lesson 2 • Pate de Verre and Casting Basics

Introduces pate de verre as a method of packing frit into moulds to create cast glass forms. Students produce small cast pieces using basic open-face moulds.

Lesson 3 • Multi-Firing and Layered Builds

Teaches strategies for firing a piece multiple times to build complexity in stages. Students plan multi-firing sequences that avoid devitrification and stress.

Lesson 4 • Inclusions and Reactive Glass

Explores embedding non-glass materials and using reactive glass combinations for unique effects. Students learn which inclusions are safe and how to control reactions.