Short Fuse

Sue Heaser shows how to make dichroic glass cabochons for sparkling creations

Sue Heaser, MJ Designer

“I love combining fused dichroic glass with silver clay - two great materials that work so well together. you can go on to make your own findings in silver clay for your fused glass pieces”

Fused dichroic glass makes the most fabulous jewellery with vibrant and iridescent colours combined with gem-like shine. Small cabochons are not difficult to make and once you get hooked you will find endless different glass colours and effects to try, and flat pad findings make it so easy to get creative.

Dichroic Glass Cabochons

1. Lay newspaper several sheets thick on your work surface, place graph paper on top and gather your tools. Wearing safety goggles to protect your eyes, start to cut a piece 3.5cm x 2.5cm for the pendant (see across). Begin by placing a 2.5cm wide strip of dichroic glass, coloured and textured side down on the graph paper. Using the lines as a guide position a ruler across the length at right angles, 3.5cm from one end. Holding the ruler very firmly so it does not slip, draw a glass cutting tool firmly across the ruler’s edge to score the glass. It should make a gentle hissing sound. Do not press too hard or it will shatter.
2. Grip the glass 1cm from the edge with glass breaking pliers, aligning the jaws so that the bump in the centre of the lower jaw is below the glass and on the line of the score. Squeeze gently and the glass should break neatly along the scored line.
3. Cut a piece of clear glass 1mm to 2mm larger all round than the dichroic glass piece. Clean both glass surfaces with a cotton bud dipped in alcohol or methylated spirits. Lay ceramic kiln firing paper on a kiln board and place the dichroic glass piece, coloured side up on it. Position the clear glass on top and use a tiny dab of clear glue to hold the pieces together while they are firing.
4. Repeat, cutting two pieces 1cm2 for the earrings and another 1.3cm x 1cm for the ring. Cut pieces of clear glass 1mm larger all round than each piece and stack each pair as before, using clear glue to hold. To fire, place the glass in a kiln and fire as follows. Please note these firing times are for a small kiln with a chamber 20cm x 20 cm x 20cm or less. For larger kilns or microwave kilns you will need to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
5. Set the kiln temperature to rise to 870°C at full speed, set the hold time to 10 minutes. When the kiln reaches 870°C, open the door and inspect the glass; each stack should have fused together into a whole with rounded edges. If it is not fully smooth, shut the door and wait for a few more minutes. 10 minutes is usually long enough.
6. When the glass is melted to your liking turn off the kiln but leave the temperature display on. Keep the door ajar until the temperature has dropped to 550°C (do not allow it to drop below this). Shut the door immediately and leave the kiln untouched until it reaches room temperature. Wipe off any dust from the firing paper and your cabochons are now ready for mounting.
7. To complete, clean the backs of all pieces with alcohol to remove any grease. Use epoxy or E6000 glue to attach a bail to the back of the larger pendant, the flat pads of the ear studs to the two smallest shapes and the ring pad to the medium cabochon.