 Tile Saw BasicsThe tile saw is a versatile tool that opens up many possibilities for the artist who works with glass. Options range from simple trimming and sizing of thicker pieces to carving and removing material for sculptures, to cutting parts fo…  Coldworking with the Wet Belt SanderColdworking methods use tools and processes that do not rely on heat to change the shape or surface texture of glass. In this lesson you will learn to use the wet belt sander to grind and smooth glass edges and achieve a variety of sur…  Color Reactions and Special EffectsYellow + Blue = Brown? When certain glasses are fired in contact with one another, their chemistries interact to create effects and different colors than what one might anticipate, considering how colors normally mix. In this lesson yo…  Firing: Basic PrinciplesA firing schedule is a set of instructions that tells the kiln how to heat and cool during the glass-forming process. In this lesson you will learn the eight basic steps that make up a firing schedule and why they are important.…  A Riot of EffectsSimple layup + reactions = a riot of effects What's going on in this glass? Our piece may look complex, but the colorful effects resulted from just allowing and preventing two types of reactions: sulfur + copper and sulfur + silv… River Rock ReactionMake a part sheet with stony effects— then cut it up to create projects! Reactivity is key to achieving the pebbly look of the part sheet featured here. Under kiln heat, sulfur-bearing frits react with lead-bearing powder to c…  Special Effects: Steel Blue OpalOverview When I put it in the kiln it was blue. When I took it out it was the color of mild steel. When I fired it again it was blue. What's going on? Special Effects: Steel Blue Opal PDF Revised September 9, 2009.…  Vitrigraph Kiln: Basic UseStraight, machine-made stringers are great for kiln-glass work, but you can also make your own fluid or controlled lines of glass using a Vitrigraph kiln. In this lesson you will learn how to transform a Paragon Caldera kiln into a Vit…  Is Bullseye glass COE 90?Glass users who ask this question usually want to know if they can successfully fuse Bullseye with another manufacturer's glasses. Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not simple. Our short response is this: Matching COEs read more Frit TintingOverview Frit tinting is a method that allows one to create specific color blends for kilncasting and pâte de verre. The process involves “tinting” or coloring clear glass by adhering colored powder (-0008) to larger-grained … A Riot of EffectsSimple layup + reactions = a riot of effects What’s going on in this glass? Our piece may look complex, but the colorful effects resulted from just allowing and preventing two types of reactions: sulfur + copper and sulfur +… River Rock ReactionMake a part sheet with stony effects— then cut it up to create projects! Reactivity is key to achieving the pebbly look of the part sheet featured here. Under kiln heat, sulfur-bearing frits react with lead-bearing powder to… What to Expect from Bullseye GlassColor Variation While Bullseye strives for consistent colors, our glass is a handmade product and colors may vary slightly between production runs (and from images in the catalog). Some colors may change slightly upon repeated… Frit BallsFrit balls—easy to make and fun to use! Spread out pieces of coarse frit (0003) on a primed kiln shelf, leaving space around each piece. Fire hot enough to round out the frits, usually 1500°F (816°C) with a 20-minute hold.…  Fahrenheit/Celsius ConvertersTemperature Conversion°F °C Rate Conversion°F °C Special Effects: Steel Blue OpalOverview When I put it in the kiln it was blue. When I took it out it was the color of mild steel. When I fired it again it was blue. What’s going on? Special Effects: Steel Blue Opal PDF Revised September 9, 2009. Recommended Annealing Cycle for Bullseye GlassSave time and energy. Anneal thick slabs at 900 degrees. As of June 2009, Bullseye has changed its chart for annealing thick slabs. Specifically, the recommended anneal soak temperature has been lowered from 960°F/516°C to… Get a Reaction: Bullseye Copper-Bearing GlassesOverview In our testing at Bullseye, we have found that the following copper-bearing glasses react with Reactive Ice Clear and Reactive Cloud Opal sheets to varying degrees, depending upon the glass form (sheet, frit, powder,… Get a Reaction: Bullseye Reactive GlassesOverview Try fusing samples of Reactive Cloud Opal and Reactive Ice Clear with our copper-bearing glasses or copper leaf or silver foil. Their chemistries may react at the interface, resulting in special colors and effects.… Bullseye Textures & IridsOverview Jumpstart your ideas for using Bullseye textured and iridescent glasses by studying these examples. Bullseye Textures & Irids PDF Revised December 1, 2008. Tile Saw BasicsThe tile saw is a versatile tool that opens up many possibilities for the artist who works with glass. Options range from simple trimming and sizing of thicker pieces to carving and removing material for sculptures, to cutting parts fo…  On-edge Strip ConstructionThe on-edge construction technique involves placing strips of sheet glass on edge and fusing them together to create finished work. In this lesson you will learn tips for cutting and composing with glass strips, how to fire and finish … Vitrigraph Kiln: Basic UseStraight, machine-made stringers are great for kiln-glass work, but you can also make your own fluid or controlled lines of glass using a Vitrigraph kiln. In this lesson you will learn how to transform a Paragon Caldera kiln into a Vit…  Heatwork and Color: Sheet GlassWhen designing and firing kiln-glass, it's important to understand how various glass colors respond to heatwork in kilnforming processes. In this lesson you will learn about the relationship between heatwork and color in sheet glass.…  Heatwork and FritUnderstanding the concept of heatwork as it applies to frit can open up an entire world of design possibilities. In this lesson you will learn how to achieve a variety of surface textures and finishes with frit by varying time and temp…  Kiln TypesNo one type of kiln is ideal for every working method, but all types have methods for which they are most commonly used. In this lesson you will learn about the desirable qualities to look for in any kiln, the most common types of kiln…  Working with StringerStringers are thin filaments of glass that can be used as design elements in kilnformed compositions. In this lesson you will learn a variety of ways to work with manufactured, as well as hand-pulled, stringers.…  Working with Powders on SheetFiring crushed glass powders on sheet glass allows one a direct method to create imagery, pattern and nuanced shifts in value and hue. In this lesson you will learn about the tools and techniques involved and will get a broad overview …  Slumping BasicsUsing heat and gravity, art glass can be shaped over and/or into molds in a kiln to create an almost endless variety of forms. In this lesson you will learn about glass “slumping” methods, with a focus on using commercial ceramic m…  Preparing Kiln ShelvesHot glass will adhere to kiln shelves if not prevented by a separator. In this lesson you will learn how to use Bullseye Shelf Primer, an affordable and highly effective separator.…  Kilnformed ContainerThis lesson provides basic instructions for making a thick-walled kilnformed glass container. You will explore the materials, tools and techniques involved, and learn how to fire sheet glass that’s arranged around an investment core,…  Tint Tone PlateThis project is a cleanly designed, fused and slumped plate made with a subtle palette of Bullseye tint glasses. By following the step-by-step instructions you will apply basic plate-making and glass-cutting principles and explore the …  Is Bullseye glass COE 90?Glass users who ask this question usually want to know if they can successfully fuse Bullseye with another manufacturer's glasses. Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not simple. Our short response is this: Matching… What are "striking" glass colors?A small number of Bullseye glasses appear pale or colorless in the cold sheet, but "strike" or mature to target color when fired. The images of striking glasses in our online store and product catalog show how colors appear before and… Is Bullseye glass compatible in all conditions?Bullseye glasses are well known for reliable compatibility. But understanding the conditions of our factory testing is important, especially for anyone firing glass under unusual or extreme conditions. To learn about our compatibility… What can I expect from Bullseye rods?In the production of Bullseye rods, five characteristics are evaluated: Compatibility: Bullseye Compatible rod styles are factory tested to the same standards as other Bullseye Compatible materials for kilnforming. Color:… Is Bullseye glass food safe?Below we have listed the Bullseye glasses that contain more than 1.0% lead or more than 0.5% cadmium. If you are using any of these styles for food-bearing objects, we recommend capping them with Bullseye clear glass. In our tests we… How and why should I clean glass before firing it?Cleaning glass removes problem-causing contaminants like glass-cutting fluid, oils, minerals, salts, dusts, fibers, sticker residues, pen marks, and fingerprints. If these contaminants are not removed from glass before it's fired,… What is coldworking?Coldworking is changing the shape or surface texture of glass, using tools and processes that do not rely on heat. Coldworking methods include grinding, carving, engraving, polishing, sandblasting, and other techniques. What coldworking equipment do I need?In short, you need the equipment that's right for the type of work you're making and the results you want to achieve. We recommend that you take a class to learn about the range of possibilities and try out various kinds of equipment… How can I learn to cut glass?We recommend that you take a class to learn the fundamentals. In a class, you'll find out about the best tools and techniques to use and will have a chance to practice before investing in glass and equipment for your own studio. Check… What should I know about studio safety?Our short article, Safety in the Kiln-glass Studio, covers the basics and recommends other resources for learning. |
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