How to Make a Fused Glass Mold

Glass fusing is the process of melting different shapes, colors and types of glass together to create fascinating pendants, bowls and works of art. Molds are used to shape the fused glass in two ways. The first method is slumping or draping, where the glass is heated until it will slump over a mold to create bowls and vases. The second method is slumping into the mold, where glass is softened with heat to the point that it will sag into a mold to create platters, bowls or serving dishes. You can make an original fused glass mold to slump fused glass.

Things You'll Need

• Marker
• Fiberboard
• Fiberboard saw or razor knife
• Fiber mold hardener
• Kiln
• Fine sanding block or emery board
• Kiln wash

Instructions

1. Draw the shape you want for your mold on a sheet of paper. When the design is perfected, reproduce it onto the fiberboard with a marker.

2. Cut out the shape using a fiberboard saw or razor knife.

3. Cover the fiberboard with fiber mold hardener. Let it dry thoroughly by air or by heating it in a kiln at a temperature below 175 degrees F to avoid a flame-up.

4. Use a fine sanding block or fine emery to smooth rough edges, round corners or edges, and create a smooth surface for the glass to slump over.

5. Replace any fiber mold hardener that may have been sanded off and let it dry thoroughly.

6. Fire the fiberboard mold in the kiln at 1,300 degrees F to harden (cure) the fiberboard mold, or follow the specific recommendations for temperature and time listed on the label of the fiber mold hardener.

7. Apply a coat of kiln wash to the fiberboard mold before firing your glass piece to keep the glass from sticking to your mold.

Tips & Warnings

• To create deeper and more interesting molds, use several layers of fiberboard, with the design cut out of each layer, which gives the glass more distance to slump, adding more shape and depth to your finished glass piece. For example, design a square mold of steps that narrow as they deepen. The mold would resemble several square picture frames stacked on top of each other, going from the smallest size on the bottom to the largest frame on top. The layers are held together with craft glue and metal pins.

• Firing the mold to cure the hardener can produce smoke. Keep your kiln door slightly ajar during firing to allow the smoke to escape and keep the room well ventilated.

References

• Fiberboard and Blanket Molds
• Fiber Blanket Molds

Resources

• Fusing and Slumping Glass