Glass Fusing

Glass fusing involves layering pieces of compatible glass and heating them in a kiln until they melt together. The process can produce everything from jewelry and dishes to sculptural art. Unlike stained glass, fused glass has no metal framework—the pieces become one solid object.

The magic of fusing is transformation. You arrange glass pieces cold, then fire them at temperatures over 1400°F. Colors shift, edges round, and separate pieces become unified. It's part planning, part chemistry, part happy accident.

Glass fusing has ancient roots—Egyptian and Roman artisans fused glass thousands of years ago. The technique largely disappeared as glassblowing became dominant but was rediscovered by studio artists in the 1960s.

Modern fusing benefits from precisely formulated compatible glasses that expand and contract at the same rate. This solved the cracking problems that plagued earlier attempts. Today, fusing is one of the fastest-growing glass arts, accessible to hobbyists and professionals alike.

Glass fusing classes introduce you to compatible glasses, cutting techniques, and basic design principles. You'll create a piece—often a small dish, ornament, or jewelry—that the studio will fire after class.

Because kiln firing takes hours, you'll need to return to pick up your finished work. This is different from some crafts where you take your project home immediately. Studios provide all materials and handle the firing.

No experience is necessary. Fusing is forgiving—imprecise cuts become smooth edges after firing. Classes typically run 2-3 hours for the hands-on portion.