Difference in “art glass” and “fused glass”

[nutsnbolts]

I am so totally new to fused glass with my first class coming up this week, but reading & researching on line what I can.   I had purchased ‘art glass’  from a studio, but in the form from the “scrap bin” to use in other art forms  (ie: wire wraping, stone steps etc)  So the fact that it was for fusing, or art glass was not a factor at the time… just met the color pleasing factor.  Now it’s time that fusing glass is of an interest, I would  would like to know how you can tell the difference between the two?  I would like to be able to use some of it if I have any.  I heard that you can tell by the look or feel  or somehow  the weight?  Don’t know.   Thanks for any clues. 

[Stephen Richard]

If there was no significant difference between “art” glass and “fusing” glass, there would be no point in spending all that money!  Fusing compatible glass is that which has been tested by the manufacturer to be compatible when fired with any other of their glasses so labeled.  Quite a bit of work goes in to determining the compatibility and keeping it compatible. 

Unfortunately, texture, weight, and other factors cannot tell you which is which.  You need to go by the labels on the glass.  Spectrum 123 and Spectrum 123SF look the same, but they are not.  They weigh the same, but one is fusing compatible and the other is not. 

You will know that pieces from the same sheet are compatible with each other because the sheet existed as a whole previously.  So you can put them together, but not very interesting.  You can slump single pieces of glass, but you need to make sure the edges are the way you want them in the final piece, because the heat will not be enough to alter the texture of the edges.

So, in my view the extra expense buying and extra effort in keeping the glasses separate is worth it.  It saves many breakages. 

If you want to learn fusing with cheap glass, try float glass.  You can buy coloured glass, powder, and confetti to match some float glasses.  The coloured glasses are not cheap, but as the float is, the cost of learning is reduced.

Stephen Richard

blogs at: http://www.verrier-glass.blogspot.com/   and  http://www.glasstips.blogspot.com/

[antesoo]

As you have already purchased those pieces of glass,I suggest you test each of them separately and  some together in small batches ( jewellery size), so you can find what is compatible with what. You should be able to slump  and fuse them all but not necessarily together as each must be compatible with the other.

Art glass means a work of art made with glass or glass meant to be used to create art.Fused glass means two pieces of glass fused together in the kiln.

Any two pieces of glass you do not know the number and manufacturer of,need to be tested  for compatibility first, before wasting  your time and materials.

Hope this makes sense.Good Luck

Smiles from Soo

It is the divine right of every individual to be creative (Arthur Boyd).

 

ART -Creating links- making contact – makes possible – the impossible.

[Stephen Richard]

If you want to go a head and try your art glass, testing for compatibility is described here:

http://glasstips.blogspot.com/2009/08/compatibility-tests.html

Stephen Richard

blogs at: http://www.verrier-glass.blogspot.com/   and  http://www.glasstips.blogspot.com/

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