If you have a microwave kiln or you are interested in getting one, here is a fun technique that you should try. Microwave kilns can seem a little intimidating when you are getting started, but they are a great way to learn about glass fusing, and with a couple of safety precautions in mind, they are simple to use.

Making your own custom impressions is a fun technique to master and allows you to use your imagination to make all sorts of different designs.

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Tools and Supplies

Cutting Supplies

• Clear glass (I got mine from a broken picture frame)
• Glass Scoring Tool
• Sharpie Marker
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Ruler

Fusing Supplies

• Notebook
• Microwave Kiln
• Kiln Paper
• Scissors

Finishing Supplies

• 20 Guage Wire
• Round Tipped Jewelry Pliers
• Clear Fingernail Polish
• Clear E6000 Glue
• Sand Paper or Sharpening Stone
• Embellishment ideas (glitter glue, fingernail polish, alcohol ink

Safety Supplies

• Glove
• Safety Glasses
• Heat Resistant Gloves
• Bench Brush or Paint Brush

Step 1 – Cutting Glass

You will need four pieces of glass cut into 1 1/2″ squares to make the glass shape. I used the marker and ruler to draw my squares on the glass. Next, I used my cutting tool to score the lines in the glass.

Note: If you have never used a glass scoring tool before, you may want to practice a few times before you cut your actual pieces. You need to put enough pressure on the tool to hear a crackling sound as you move the tool on the glass.

Once the score line is complete, the glass should snap cleanly along the score line. Be sure to put pressure on the glass evenly and on the opposite side of the glass from the score line.

Once all the pieces were cut, I used the rubbing alcohol and a paper towel to clean the glass.

Step 2 – Glass Fusing

The next step is to set up the kiln. For this step, you will need the kiln paper. Cut one piece slightly larger than the glass to protect the kiln, then add some creativity by cutting a second piece of kiln paper into a simple shape.

I added a third piece of kiln paper to make a simple square-tiered pattern for this design. Once your design is laid out on the kiln base, place two pieces of glass on top and set the kiln in the microwave.

Check to ensure the glass hasn’t shifted, and place the top of the kiln on the base. Follow the heating instructions for your kiln to heat the glass.

The glass is fused when it reaches an even yellow/orange glow and a smooth surface. Carefully remove the kiln from the microwave and set the kiln on a heat-resistant surface where no one will bump or touch it. The kiln needs to cool down for around an hour and remains hot long after it is removed from the microwave.

To fuse the second two pieces of glass, repeat the process without the extra fusing paper design.

Step 3 – Finishing and Embellishing

This photo shows a fused front and back piece ready for embellishing and finishing. When the pieces have cooled, they can be removed from the kiln. The kiln paper will stick to the back of the glass and in the impression, but it washes away with water.

Once the pieces are clean, check the edges and corners and sand down any sharp or pointed areas.

The back of the glass pieces will pick up the texture of the fusing paper and can have a slightly hazy appearance. To camouflage this and make the glass appear clearer, I brushed on a coat of clear fingernail polish.

You can embellish the impression with many different materials. Some things that I have used are alcohol ink and tissue paper. For this plain circle impression, I decided to add a wire coil.

Step 4 – Assembly

I used some clear E6000 glue on the edges to finish the pedant to hold the front and back pieces together. When gluing, try to avoid getting glue between the pieces of glass even though it is clear it will show through the glass.

The pendant can be finished once the glue has cured (24 hours for E6000). I used a piece of 20 gauge wire that was 18 inches long.

Starting at the bottom of the pendant in the middle of the wire, I wrapped the pendant twice and then coiled the wire at the top to make a loop and secure both ends of the wire.

If you need to secure the wire, add a bit of E6000 glue.

Happy Upcycling

Cindy