While the precise origins of glass fusing techniques are not known with certainty, there is archaeological evidence that the Egyptians were familiar with rudimentary techniques about 4,000 years ago. Glass working in general enjoyed a revival during the Renaissance, and fusing began to regain popularity in the early part of the 20th century, particularly in the U.S. during the 1960s.
The colored glass Peg works with comes in 4-foot square sheets, which she then cuts into 2-by-2s or 1-by-1s. Different kinds of glass melt at different rates — recycled, for example — but this glass has to all melt at the same rate. She buys it at The Glass Warehouse and it is specifically made for fusing. She cuts it with a glass cutter for straight pieces or a mosaic cutter for random shapes.
“I use these small pieces to make an Indian paintbrush design,” Peg said. “I place the pieces where I want them and then I have to take everything apart and clean it with alcohol, because if you touch it with your fingers the oil will etch it in the kiln; I pick them up with tweezers. I save all my glass. These little remnants, I can melt them in the kiln and they melt into round shapes, little dots. I put them in jewelry.
“Every time I use the kiln I keep track of how the piece turns out, so I know whether to adjust it the next time I make that particular piece. Also, if something should go wrong with the kiln, the manufacturers want to know how many times it has been run. It takes quite a while to cut the pieces and lay them out just right; after I piece it, it goes in the kiln and gets fused flat. After that, I put them on the mold; it’s sprayed with a coating so the glass doesn’t stick to it. Then it goes in the kiln at a different temperature and a different time, a cooler temp, but it’s enough to make the glass slump and the legs drop down into this mold.
“Everything that isn’t flat requires two firings; the second one at a lower temperature to slump the piece. I have molds for all of this. I’m doing more new stuff this year – wine bottle stoppers, night lights, purse holders (clever devices that can be hung off a table and keep a purse off the floor).”