Glass Fusing Frit Colored BlendsGlass frit blends can be made from scrap glass or purchased in a wide variety of blended colors. Blends are widely used by glass bead makers and are available in COE 90, COE 96 and COE 104 glass. Blends are available to match the four seasons, with many variations of color within the seasons. Forest, floral, landscape and seascape blends can also be purchased The blends in the photo are COE 96 and represent a very small sample of the glass available. This glass is an ideal size for fused glass jewelry making. This type of glass is not cheap but you do not need to use much on a jewelry piece to produce an original design.
You can make your own from scrap glass by cutting it into small pieces and then placing it between sheets of newspaper and hitting it with a hammer until you are satisfied with the size. Always wear safety glasses when using this method. Place glass in a small strainer and rinse under water to remove any dust, allow to dry before use. Frit can also be made with a Aanraku Frit Piston Depending on what you wish to do just cutting small pieces with a glass cutter may be enough. Grozing pliers or mosaic wheeled nippers can also be used to produce small pieces. Frit sifters can be used for sorting and grading crushed frit.
When used with jewelry the frit can be fused into a piece of glass and basically retain its shapes per the above photo, or it can also be fused at a high temperature and allowed to melt across the base glass. The fused glass pendant in the following photo has been made by allowing the frit to flow across the glass using the high temperature method.
These are only two examples of the outcomes you can achieve in a warm glass kiln. Blends can be purchased online from a number of sellers. Return From Frit Blends To Art Glass Supplies Return To Jewelry Making How To |
