Simple Fused Glass Projects - Upcycling Glass in a Microwave Kiln

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much Cindy, I really really enjoyed watching you show us all how to make a start in glass fusing. Please stay safe and well too xxx Mags ❤❤

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Thanks 😊

[@shirleyflood1397]

First time watching you thank you so much I’ll I’m going try to work with the kiln 🤗

[@RubyWest-g5k]

Really cool.. who new this was possible

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Thanks. I didn't learn about these kilns until a few years ago but I believe they have been around for quite awhile. 🙂

[@vanessaturner4333]

Hello, long comment. I apologize. I see that this video is a bit old, but I’m planning to make some fused glass jewelry. I was wondering about the COE of the recycled glass, and how to know which glasses have which coefficient of expansion so they’ll fuse and bond without cracking later. To my very limited knowledge, glasses like borosilicate, which has a COE of 33 I believe, the smaller the number, the “harder” and more stable the glass I think (usually the tempered glasses like Pyrex used in cooking) are more stable and can handle a bigger temp range without cracking. Other common glasses used for lamp-working and fusing are 90 or 96, although there are more available. My torch is a small starter one, since I don’t have an oxygen set up, so I can only work with the softer, less stable glasses (usually 90 COE) and have to be careful that they don’t cool too quickly. Annealing them stabilizes the glass so they don’t shatter later. I’m not familiar with the microwave kiln, but have a small tabletop kiln I’ve used for annealing lamp-worked beads. I’m planning to use it for my fusing with some glass molds. I love this idea, and just wanted to get some feedback since I’m just learning. I also wanted to see if anyone has used this glass with molds, and whether or not they stick or come out easily. Thank you for these up-cycling videos! They’re excellent and I’m so glad I found them.

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Hi thanks for watching. It sounds like you might know more about glass fusing than I do, but I am happy to share my experience. I have used my kiln many times to fuse recycled glass. I don't know what the COE is on any of the glass I have fused but it has fused together well. I haven't really had a problem with the pieces breaking although a few of the bigger pieces have cracked. I mostly fuse earring sized pieces. Hope that helps a little. 🙂

[@danielleschlotzhauer]

This was THE PERFECT!! tutorial. Thank you!

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Hi Danielle - Thanks so much for watching. 🙂

[@anjanowackadeklopp761]

So interesting! I did not know you can fuse glass in a microwave. Maybe I need to buy a kiln 😀

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

I was surprised when I found out about microwave kilns too. Mine has been fun to play with.

[@brmorris75]

Excellent beginner vid! Thank you!

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Hi thanks for watching

[@antonypalmer5804]

I have already done some enameling so I think that tomorrow I will try making some fused glass pendants thanks for the tutorial

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Hi thanks for watching. Hope you enjoy glass fusing. 🙂

[@antonypalmer5804]

@@UpcycleDesignLab Thank you so much I have done my first handful of pieces and they make beautiful jewellery.

[@barbblack7825]

Very cool

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Thanks Barb

[@AskChristyB]

This is awesome!!!

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Thanks Christy! See you tomorrow 🙂

[@stephanies5349]

Hi! Those tweezers seem like they work really well for setting small pieces. Do you know what brand/style they are and where you got them? Thanks!

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Hi thanks for watching. The tweezers are from Cricut and I think they were included with my Cricut cutting machine bundle. But I am sure you could by them separately.

[@stephanies5349]

@@UpcycleDesignLab Thanks so much! I found them and purchased through one of your Amazon links :)

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

@@stephanies5349 thank you 😊

[@helennahoopii5882]

Can you bake more than one pendant at a time? Thanks

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Thanks so much for watching. The kiln is quite small so I would say no in general to more than one pendant at a time but I have fused more than one item at a time when they are smaller for example when I fuse beads I have been able to make 4 at a time. Also they do make kilns that are slightly larger than the one I have.

[@helennahoopii5882]

@@UpcycleDesignLab mahalo for responding to my inquiry!

[@vakhbod100]

Please show us how you cut the glass. Thanks ❤

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

I haven't been working with glass much lately. Thanks for the idea though. I do cover this a little bit in this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKTFeGt6bNCBh9Esi=YeKLgGqa3vHeLv7q

[@syngen462]

Does anyone know if you can fuse glass mosaic tiles in a microwave kiln?

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Hi - I don't think that would work or be safe. Thanks for watching.

[@amandadalton8715]

Hi, I’ve tried fusing glass pieces using two different microwave kilns and while the pieces look nice, they often come out with little black specs on them. I’ve tried everything! What do you do to prevent this?

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Hi Amanda, I'm sorry to hear you are having problems with your fusing. I have not ever had this problem so I don't know what could be causing it. Are the specs on the bottom of the piece or fused inside the glass?

[@amandadalton8715]

They are fused inside the glass. My only guess is they are flaking off of the inside black coating during fusing, and falling into the piece. But I have two different kilns from different makers, both new. So I’m not sure how to fix/prevent.

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

@@amandadalton8715 I am sorry but I have never had this problem. I know that there is a bit of a price range with the kilns. I have seen them from 40 to 100 dollars. I don't know if that makes a difference. It seems strange that it would happen with both kilns. Sorry that I am not able to be helpful.

[@221b-Maker-Street]

@@amandadalton8715 May I ask if you've now solved this, Amanda? I was wondering: a) What bottles or glass you're using and b) What Glass Fusing Paper you're using - as it sounds like you are unwittingly introducing the black dots somehow - given it's happened in _both_ kilns. (There's an _Importance Of Being Earnest_ joke in there somewhere, but I'm too tired to write it!) 😆

[@maryclairamar6844]

Hello. How did you put the hook inside?

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Hi Mary I think you are asking about the jewelry bails. They are actually glued to the back of the glass with clear E6000 glue. Thanks for watching.

[@kellycook3914]

You're a Goddess!

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Thanks 😊

[@mexipatti]

I just watched a video and she said your microwave is not safe for food after using this kiln. Is this true?

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

I wish that I could give you a definitive answer. I have a couple of kilns one says to clean the microwave before and after using the kiln and the other one says "we do not recommend using the same microwave for food prep." I suspect that they are being overly cautious but that is just my opinion.

[@kathiekarancz964]

I have taken many courses through my years and now teach on glass fusing. One of the first things to learn is that all glass has to be the same because glass moves within the kiln at different rates (that’s probably why that back piece didn’t want to keep up with the rest). This is called Coefficient of Expansion (COE). Melting the same bottle together may be OK but NOT window glass and other things like bottles. It may all hold together for awhile but it may just all of a suddenly pop apart. Plus, you can only refuse glass around 3 times. I would suggest anybody thinking of fusing, study up on it first. This video had lots of bad information. 👎👎🐢

[@UpcycleDesignLab]

Hi Kathy - I am certainly not an expert at fusing glass but I have fused many pieces over the years and have not had any issues with fusing or breaking. I am just sharing my experiences with this small microwave kiln. Every project is a fun new experiment.

[@kathiekarancz964]

I understand that this is just an attempt to introduce fusing glass but it makes it sound at times like it’s fact. Another remark is the sharpening stone. When using the stone, I suggest you pour some water to a level just over your stone, it makes it a lot easier to take your needles off. I think it’s great that you have introduced a small kiln to the public. I have never used a microwave kiln so I definitely am not an expert on it but do know that it’s suggested to use a separate kiln for fusing. Thank you 🐢

[@donnatate6327]

Wow, you sure were harsh.

[@kathiekarancz964]

Yes it just makes me angry when people post things and give the wrong information to people. Plus I have been fusing for a LONG time and people make it sound so easy.@@donnatate6327

[@dyland9147]

Then make your own video and be kind to this nice lady