How to Make Fused Glass Buttons

Fuse broken bits of glass into attractive glass shapes.

Fusing bits of broken glass creates artistic forms you can use to make jewelry, buttons or art pieces. A microwave kiln makes this process quick and simple. Using precut glass shapes allows you to determine the final shape and size of your button and makes attaching the shank much easier. Fuse your glass shape with frit, dichroic glass or glass confetti to add color or reflective color to the button. The buttons will make your garment unique and a joy to wear.

Things You'll Need

• Microwave kiln
• Kiln paper
• Precut glass pieces
• Glass cleaner
• Soft cloth
• Frit
• Microwave oven
• Kevlar gloves
• Ceramic tile
• Dish soap
• Water
• Epoxy resin
• Shank button eyelet

Instructions

1. Place a piece of kiln paper on the base of your microwave kiln. Clean two round precut half-inch glass circles with glass cleaner and a soft cloth to ensure that no dust contaminates your button. Use one clear circle and one colored glass circle.

2. Set the colored glass circle on the center of the kiln paper, holding the glass by the sides to prevent fingerprints on the glass. Make sure you have at least a 1/8-inch margin of paper around the glass circle. Sprinkle the top of the glass circle with various colors of frit. Place the clear glass circle atop the first glass round and the frit.

3. Place the base of the microwave kiln inside your microwave oven. Make sure the glass circles have not shifted. Set the top on the kiln and carefully close the microwave door. Set the timer for 3 minutes with an 800-watt microwave, 2:45 for an 1,100-watt microwave or 2:30 for a 1,200-watt microwave. Turn the microwave on at full power and watch for the orange glow at the top of the kiln.

4. Open the microwave door when the oven cuts off. Use Kevlar gloves to carefully lift the top of the kiln. If the glass glows uniformly red hot, it has heated long enough. Place the lid back on the kiln and remove it from the microwave. Set the kiln on a ceramic tile to cool. If the glass does not uniformly glow red, place the lid back on the kiln and heat it for an additional 30 seconds. Recheck and remove it if the glass fused. Heat an additional 15 to 30 seconds if the glass needs more microwave heating.

5. Allow the kiln to sit on the tile for 30 to 40 minutes without lifting the kiln top. Remove the kiln lid when it is cool enough to handle with your bare hand. Remove the button from the kiln base and wash it with mild soap and water to remove the kiln paper residue.

6. Place a thin layer of epoxy resin on the bottom of the button, and set it on top of a 1/2-inch shank button eyelet. Allow the epoxy to harden before sewing the button on your garment.

Tips & Warnings

• Lifting the hot kiln top for more than a few seconds could cause your button to crack.

References

• YouTube: Pearson’s Glass -- Fusing Glass With a Microwave Kiln
• Delphi: Instructions Creating Fused Glass Buttons