If you’ve ever seen a piece of fused glass up close, you’ll know it has something magical about it. The way light bounces through the layers, the depth of colour, the glossy finish — it’s almost like the glass is alive. But what exactly is fused glass, and how is it made?
The basics
Fused glass is the art of taking different pieces of glass, layering them together, and then melting (or “fusing”) them in a kiln at very high temperatures. Unlike traditional stained glass, where pieces are cut and joined with lead, fused glass becomes one solid piece — smooth, strong and completely unique.
How it’s made
It all starts with sheet glass. We cut or shape the glass, add coloured powders, crushed glass (known as frit), or even stringers and rods for detail. Some pieces might also include drawn on detail using enamel paints and pens (such as in the 'bluebells in the trees' pieces shown below). These layers are carefully arranged on a kiln shelf, then placed inside the kiln.
When the kiln heats up — usually to somewhere between 700°C and 800°C — the glass softens and bonds together. Depending on the temperature and time, you can create different effects:
Full fuse – the glass melts completely into one flat, smooth surface.
Tack fuse – the glass sticks together but keeps some raised texture.
Slumping – once fused, glass can be reheated and “slumped” over moulds to form bowls, dishes or curved shapes.
Did you know?
Fully fused glass always wants to settle at around 6mm thick. If you start with two layers of 3mm sheet glass, it stays flat and neat. But if you add more layers or uneven thicknesses, the glass will flow until it evens itself out. It’s just one of the quirky “rules” of kiln-formed glass.
Every firing is a mix of science and art. The kiln takes hours to reach temperature, then has to cool slowly so the glass doesn’t crack. Even the smallest 5 or 10 degree change in temperature when we're programming the kiln can have a big effect on the glass and how it turns out. Over the years, we've learnt what to expect through testing and repetition but when creating a new piece we've not made before, it can still be a surprise when opening the kiln the next day. That's half the fun of the art. We're still excited to open the kiln each day!
Why it’s special
Part of the beauty of fused glass is its unpredictability. Colours react with each other, bubbles form in interesting places, and tiny variations in heat can change the whole look of a piece. It’s this element of surprise that makes fused glass so addictive to make — and so delightful to own.
At Silicon Pixel Glassworks, we hand-cut, layer and fuse every single piece. Whether it’s a tea light holder, a card with a tiny glass design, or a piece of wall art, each one has its own character. No two are ever quite the same, and that’s what makes them so special.
If you’ve been curious about fused glass, we hope this has given you a little insight into the craft. And if you’d like to bring a touch of that magic into your home (or gift it to someone else), have a look at our shop page — you might just find the perfect piece waiting for you.
