Fusing Inclusions Between
Glass Layers
Inclusions are materials that are held between layers of glass during the glass fusing process, these materials add design and texture elements to art glass jewelry items.
The materials must be thin and weak so that the glass can expand and shrink normally in the glass fusing kiln. If the included object is too thick the glass may crack or bulge as it cools.
Metal or an organic material may be used as an inclusion for a fused glass project. Each of these materials requires a different fusing approach.
Precious Metals:
Gold foil and gold leaf can be used as an inclusion. These products work very well in glass fused jewelry and will generally retain their color.
Silver, platinum and palladium can also be used and will also retain their color. Thin silver mesh and leaf are also available and work very well.
Sterling silver is not suitable for this process; it will blacken and become brittle.
Other Metals:
Copper, variegated red copper and aluminum are just some of the metals that can be used.
Copper is commonly used in kiln formed glass objects. It will usually change color during glass fusing. This color change can be unpredictable, ranging from bluish-green to reddish orange with many colors in between.
Different firing schedules and thickness of the copper can impact on the final colors. Variegated copper will tend to turn blue with thousands of tiny bubbles.
Turning a brownish black with many bubbles is the usual result when using aluminum.
It is critical when working with metal to ensure that only thin leaf, foil or mesh is used to allow the glass to expand and shrink normally.
You can also use thin wire, wire must not be too thick or the glass may crack. Thin wire is quite often used in fused glass pendants and fused glass earrings.
Organic Materials:
Leaves, small twigs, flowers or other found objects may also be placed between fusing glass layers and kiln fired.
The material will generally burn away and leave an imprint behind. Some artists advise that it may be wise to hold the glass at fusing temperature for a while to ensure the material is completely burnt away.
Ensure that your work area is well ventilated if you are burning off organic matter.
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