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How to Make Glass Sculptures

Glass sculpting is a very artistic way to bring out your home decor. This is a very creative, yet dangerous way to express yourself. Here is a how-to-guide on the basic steps of creating and completing glass sculptures. Take the necessary steps to protect yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Safety Goggles
  • Gloves
  • Glass torch
  • Glass Sticks
  • Kiln
  • Graphite Poles
  • Graphite Paddles
  • Glass Tweezers
  • Clean Workspace
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Instructions

    • 1

      Gather ideas for the figure or shape, and the colors you want to sculpt. Interior magazines, DIY channels, and some arts and craft stores may help you decide.

    • 2

      Cut out the picture of the design or figure you are about to create out of a magazine, or print one offline, just to have for an image guide.

    • 3

      Choose a clean and spacious area to sculpt. This area needs to be flat. Make sure it is free of all other flammable items.

    • 4

      Cover your hands in protective gloves and put on your eye goggles.

    • 5

      Cover your arms in long sleeves. You may want to wear an apron also.

    • 6

      Light the glass torch.

    • 7

      Start with a piece of glass of your choice. Hold the glass on one tip, touching as little as the glass as possible.

    • 8

      Put the other end of the glass into the torch's flame.

    • 9

      Swirl the stick in the flame until you have a ball of glass. The stick figure will deteriorate.

    • 10

      Use graphite paddles to create your base after ball(s) are created. Press down firmly on the heated balls of glass to make a base for your sculpture(s).

    • 11

      Heat more glass sticks to form balls, and join them with the base.

    • 12

      Preheat your kiln to 1400-1500 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 13

      Form your glass sculpture by using your glass tweezers. You will need to pull the hot glass with these. Use the graphite poles for the sculpting.

    • 14

      Return to kiln and place your finished sculptures in it. Make sure the heat is reduced 90 degrees every hour. This way the glass will not crack.

    • 15

      Wait until cool.

Sculpture

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