5 Fused Glass Ideas for Beginners
Ever spotted a stunning piece of fused glass art and thought, "Could I make that?" Good news: you can. Fused glass is one of the most accessible ways to dive into kiln work, and it opens up a world of creative potential. At Kiln Frog, we love helping artists get started with the tools, materials, and knowledge to create something they’re proud of.
Using glass that shares the same coefficient of expansion (COE) is key to getting a strong, stable final piece. But don't stress. We're here to help you understand what that means and how to make the right choices.
The team at Bullseye Glass has developed the following beginner projects for you to try. Let’s explore five things you can build that are fun, functional, and a great way to build your glass fusing skills.
What You Need to Get Started
Every fused glass journey begins with a few essentials:
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A glass cutter to score your shapes
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Running pliers and breaking pliers for controlled breaks
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Safety gear: protective eyewear and cut-resistant gloves
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Compatible glass (COE 90 or COE 96)
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Frit (crushed glass), stringers (thin rods), and decorative bits
You’ll also need a kiln that can reach glass-fusing temperatures (around 1450°F or 790°C). Not ready to invest in one? Check with a local art center or reach out. We recommend options that suit your budget and creative goals.
1. Fused Glass Coasters
Credit: WhimsicalFusing
Coasters are a classic starter project because they’re small, simple, and easy to customize. Start with a 4-inch square of 3mm clear glass as your base. Choose colors with contrast—like cobalt blue and white, or crimson and amber—and layer them flat in your design. Aim to keep your piece no more than two layers thick.
Fire at 1450°F (788°C) in your glass kiln with a 10-minute hold at peak temperature. Then, let the piece cool gradually in the annealing phase over about 8 hours.
2. Decorative Fused Glass Plates
The best glass-fusing kilns make creating beautiful, functional art like a fused glass plate easy. The process involves two key steps: first, fuse your design flat; then slump it into a mold to shape it into a plate. Choose simple patterns like geometric lines or abstract shapes for your initial design.
Start with a 6- to 8-inch mold with a depth of 1 to 2 inches. To prevent surface cloudiness (called devitrification), apply an anti-devitrification spray and avoid exceeding 1465°F (796°C).
Our beginner-friendly slumping molds are designed to give you clean results without sticking. Try arranging strips in a sunburst or flower-shaped glass in the center for a pop of interest. Clean your pieces with rubbing alcohol before firing to ensure clarity.
3. Fused Glass Jewelry
Jewelry projects combine artistic expression with wearable results. Work with small pieces. Aim for around 1 inch for pendants or 1/2 inch for earrings. Dichroic glass adds a high-impact shimmer and color shift.
To maintain the brilliance of dichroic coatings, fire your jewelry pieces at 1425°F (774°C) and extend the hold to 12 minutes. After fusing, attach hardware with E6000 adhesive or drill 2mm holes to add bails or earring hooks.
Kiln Frog’s jewelry glass packs are curated for color compatibility and come with easy-to-follow tips. It’s a great weekend project that yields one-of-a-kind pieces you can gift or wear.
4. Fused Glass Suncatchers
Suncatchers are all about light, so transparent glass makes a great base. Add visual interest with frit, stringers, or glass confetti. Combine opaque and clear pieces to play with shadows, and vary your thickness to create texture and depth.
You can build areas up to 6mm thick while keeping others at the 3mm base level for added dimension. For inspiration, check out creations from our customers—Jessica from Ohio made a beach scene, and Michael from Colorado crafted a layered mountain view.
Try one of our beginner glass kilns to get started with projects like these, offering user-friendly features and reliable results. To hang your finished suncatcher, drill a small hole or glue on a bail after firing. These look great in windows, patios, or even on display stands.
5. Fused Glass Garden Stakes
Bring color outdoors with fused glass garden stakes. Because they live outside, durability is key. Use 6mm finished thickness glass and attach it to powder-coated or stainless steel stakes using GE Silicone II outdoor adhesive.
Simple, bold shapes like flowers, butterflies, or leaves show up best from a distance. Choose colors that pop against greenery—jewel tones offer strong contrast, while lighter shades like amber and violet add softness.
Our outdoor-rated glass is built to handle the elements. To help your stake fit snugly, design a small groove at the base of your piece before firing. For extra weather protection, a coat of clear outdoor sealer can add even more longevity.
Make Sure to Avoid This Common Beginner Mistake
Matching COE values is the cornerstone of fusing success. Mixing different COEs causes stress fractures as the piece cools, so double-check that all your glass elements match (either COE 90 or 96).
Level Up Your Skills
Once you're comfortable with the basics, try techniques like:
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Pattern bars: stacking and slicing fused glass to reveal internal designs. We recommend these units!
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Vitrigraph: pulling molten glass through a mold to create unique stringers. We recommend these units!
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Dichroic layering: sandwiching specialty glass for more depth and sparkle. We recommend these units.
The Bullseye Glass community is full of helpful, experienced artists who love to share what they know. Join their Facebook group to swap ideas, show off your work, or get inspired by what others are creating.
Keep Creating, Keep Growing
You don’t have to be an expert to make something amazing. Start with a simple project like coasters or jewelry and go from there. The key is to keep creating and enjoying the journey. Kiln Frog is here to help every step of the way. We believe in educating first, and we’re proud to support artists of all levels with pressure-free advice, transparent pricing, and resources that make kiln work feel less intimidating.
You've got this. And we can't wait to see what you make.
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