How to Use Slump Glass for Art Projects
Slumping glass is the process of heating the glass until it sags. You can create a never-ending array of art projects using this process, including plates, bowls and vases in various shapes and sizes. Make art projects by either draping the glass over a mold or allowing it to sag into a mold until it slumps to the shape desired. Metal molds work best for draping projects. Ceramic molds come in many styles and shapes and work best for slumping the glass in a mold to a specific shape. You will need access to a kiln to make slumped glass.
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Instructions
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Cut the glass pieces to the size of the mold using the glass cutter. The finished size of the glass will be whatever size you cut it in the beginning; the glass does not shrink or expand. Do not cut the glass pieces larger than the mold unless you want the design to drape over the sides.
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Place the glass onto the mold and place the mold in the kiln to heat it. Heat the glass to 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the kiln reaches 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the glass will begin to soften. The slumping begins at about 1,300 to 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep an eye on the progress of the piece by looking through the glass window on the kiln. Keep the glass piece in the kiln until it is slumped to your satisfaction.
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Cool the glass by turning off the kiln and immediately opening the lid of the kiln to allow the temperature to quickly drop to about 1,100 degrees. You want the glass to cool down quickly to avoid devitrification, a process that will leave the glass with a hazed look.
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Close the kiln door to start the annealing process on the glass. Annealing the glass means cooling it slowly to make the internal temperature the same as the external temperature. Annealing is necessary because the outside cools much faster than the inside of the glass, which causes stress on the glass. Turn the kiln on and maintain the 1,100-degree temperature in the kiln for about 20 minutes to let the glass cool down slowly.
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Slowly lower the temperature of the glass from the annealing point of 1,100 degrees by dropping the temperature in the kiln, in steps, for about 30 minutes for every 1/2 inch to 1 inch of thickness until you reach the lowest degree setting on the kiln. This is known as "soaking" the glass.
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Cool the glass to room temperature by turning off the kiln and allowing the piece to cool naturally. Once the piece is cooled, remove it from the kiln. Cooling the glass to the point that it can be handled can take from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the size of the piece.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure the molds you choose fit inside your kiln.
Add items such as glass paints, dichroic glass and stringers to create a decorative effect.
Wear safety glasses and heavy-duty work gloves when cutting glass.
Wear dark kiln safety glasses when looking inside the kiln.
Wear kiln mitts during and after working. The kiln will stay hot for many hours after it is turned off.
Do not allow children to play near the kiln.
References
Resources
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