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How to Hang My Kiln Formed Art Glass

Kilns are high temperature ovens used for firing ceramics and glass. While many glass making arts require working directly with molten glass, fusing is a technique for forming art in the kiln. Glass shards and other fragments are placed in a mold or directly on a flat plate in the oven and fired until fused. There are several levels of fusion which varies the texture of the finished piece. Hanging glass art can be challenging if a hole or hanger was not built into the design, so consider the display style of your piece during production.

Things You'll Need

  • Kiln Glass
  • Plate hanger
  • Fishing line
  • Hooks (variable)
  • Wire (variable)
  • Glass mold
  • Manual gem drill
  • Water pan
  • Water
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Instructions

  1. Plate Hanger

    • 1

      Lay the glass piece on a flat surface.

    • 2

      Hook each arm of the plate hanger onto a different side of the glass; the arms should be evenly spaced along the edge of the glass.

    • 3

      Hang the plate off a nail or hook like a picture, or secure to the ceiling with heavyweight fishing line and hooks appropriate to the material of ceiling in question.

    Fusing Wire Into Glass Art

    • 4

      Place the glass in the glass mold as desired. Lay a wire hoop on top of the glass shards. Sandwich the wire with another piece of glass for security. Base the size of the hoop on the size of the glass art being made. (e.g., 1/2-inch jump rings are suitable for small- to medium-sized pendants.)

    • 5

      Fire until fully fused for best results (time and temperature will vary depending on glass used).

    • 6

      Hang the finished piece by the wire; glass may be hooked on a nail or or hook or hung by a string by hooks appropriate to the material of ceiling in question.

    Built-In Molded Hook

    • 7

      Use a glass mold with a built-in hook or hole.

    • 8

      Thread wire or fishing line through the finished piece.

    • 9

      Consider wrapping the wire with a decorative fiber that matched the piece (e.g., accent a glass flower with a green, ribbon hanger).

    Drill A Hole

    • 10

      Place the glass in the water pan. Fill with water until the surface of the glass is just covered.

    • 11

      Select a location for a hole; holes may be placed near the edge of the piece or somewhere in the center. Consider the fragility of glass when making this decision; holes places too close to the edge will be too weak to support the weight of the glass piece.

    • 12

      Place the pan on the drill shelf and clamp in place using side clamps; additional clamps or plastic putty may be used to secure the piece in the pan or the pan to the shelf as long as they do not interfere with the drill's range of movement.

    • 13

      Begin drilling with the gem drill. Drill in smalls sections, enabling water to fill the hole between each press. Do not use excess pressure, allow the weight of the drill to bore through the glass.

    • 14

      Rinse with water to remove glass dust.

    • 15

      Thread a wire or string through the newly-formed hole.

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