1. HOW TO MAKE A LITTLE FUSED GLASS FRAME

     

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These little frames are so sweet,  and very quick and easy to make. 

You will need:  some Moretti Rods: Pris' wonderful Mille, (see links page), and some nice Frit ( see my Fab Frit page!)
You will also need adhesive to keep the glass in place (watered down white glue), and some blocks to help keep the rods from moving. Old bits of tile will do fine.

 
I have cut 4 rods approx. 6cm long. You can make them what size you like but if you are only using a couple of layers as we are here, you can't really make the frame too big. For larger frames, add more inner rods to the shape.

Arrange the rods in an approximate square, and keep them from rolling around with bits of tile. For a rectangle shape, obviously cut 2 of the rods a longer length.

Add a tiny dot of glue where each corner touches and leave to dry....or if you are impatient like me you could move onto the next stage.
Then you need to cut 4 rods to fit inside the square you have made. This can be measured out  by eye..it's quicker.  

Place each inner rod inside the square and add more tiny dots of glue to secure them.  

I've also found some oddments of rod that were too short for anything...they can be added and will give a little more strength and colour variation to the piece.
You can see that all I've done is just placed my odd rod bits in between my 2 frame rods. Glue them in position and move on to the next stage.
Place your millefiore around decoratively ~ I'd add one to each corner for strength and the rest where they look best.
Finally, sprinkle one or two colours of frit over the frame. You don't want TOO much because the COE's are different - keep it to 10%, but a little frit goes a long way as you'll know if you've ever dropped a pot of it on the floor.

Leave it alone to dry. I meant it...DON'T TOUCH!

When it's completely dry, carefully lift the frame onto your kiln shelf kiln paper ...if any corners open up don't worry, just reassemble the frame and sprinkle a few more bits of frit over the join.  Fusing is SO forgiving.

The best thing about using bits and pieces like this is that you can never really imagine fully how the glass will melt and blend or what patterns it will create.  Every piece is unique and surprising!

Full fuse it and voila !

 
This is the sort of thing you'll get, very unpredictable but  delightfully pleasing results.

From here you can tack fuse clear glass to the back, or use thick acetate stuck on with glue. You can back the frame with wood or card.

Making the basic frame is so easy.

You can make the sides thicker by using 3 or 4 pieces of rod to a side, see how the purple one above turned out. You will always find that the frame  'rounds' off to a certain extent because that is the nature of hot glass and the more glass you use, the more it will round off.

Please email me pictures of your frames, I'd really love to see them.

dee@globalnet.co.uk