Project by Christal Cerrone from Durham, N.C.
Christal's love of art traces back to before she could even speak. As an adult, she finds great joy in teaching art to children. She has also developed a love of glass throughout the years, and in this project, Christal makes dichroic-glass jewelry bars that are sliced to make unique multiple-pendant necklaces.
Materials:
colored and dichroic fusing glass
kiln shelf paper
fingernail polish
glass cutter
kiln
Steps:
1. Cut strips of thin fusing glass (colored and dichroic) to desired size. This project was 6" x 1-1/2" or 6" x 1-1/4".
2. Use dark (black) for the first layer. Cut and glue a piece of 1/8" x 7" kiln shelf paper for the "string channel." Lay this down for the length of the jewelry bar, gluing it in place with clear fingernail polish.
3. Arrange a second layer of glass to the top and bottom of this "string channel." Now the whole piece is approximately the same height and level.
4. Arrange a third layer of glass--this time being decorative, using cut triangles (or rectangles) of the different types of glass.
5. Arrange a fourth layer, using bits of dichro, pieces of pre-fired gold and platinum decal materials. Real gold leaf may be incorporated in this step. This can be the final "arranging" step, or another layer can be added.
6. Add more material or top with a clear strip.
7. Place finished bar on kiln shelf, on kiln shelf paper.
8. Stack pre-cut strips of 1/8-inch-thick kiln shelf paper lengthwise (top and bottom of bar length) to hold edges in shape while firing.
9. Fire to desired fuse (1440-1500 F degrees). Desired fuse means at the lower number, you will have more relief in the glass arranged as your last layer. Higher temps will produce a smoother result. Christal usually goes for a bit of relief.
10. Allow to cool to room temperature in the kiln--usually 6 to 8 hours.
11. Remove bar and slice using tile wet saw to desired number of individual pieces (pendants).
12. Put fresh "stringer strips" into each pendant hole.
13. Return to kiln for "fire polish" (1400 F degrees) for 5 to 15 minutes.
14. String as individual pendants or string several together with small beads as separators
Website: glassclass.com
)
)
)
)
