Dichroic Glass Fusing Books

People quite often ask how I started glass fusing. I think when people look at fused glass pieces what they mean to say is 'How Can I Make this?' Well I had the same reaction when I first looked at dichroic glass. I've always loved working with my hands. I studied Architecture but preffered making models than working out how a building stays standing. The office was never for me! I worked a series of jobs with no future before I decided to just go for it and work for myself. The last one was in a jewellery shop which I kind of liked but hated my boss! He sold fake goods and took exception when I refused to rip off the people who ventured into the shop. I used to practise making fused glass at night when I got home. The final straw in the last job came when my boss got so annoyed that I was making more money selling my pieces in a local hairdressers than he was in his shop. I can't really remember if I was fired or walked out... it was probably a good thing!

Anywho...the point is...the ways I learnt was with 3 things....trial, error and this book.

This book, Contemporary Warm Glass by Brad Walker, was so helpful in starting out. It answered all the little queries I had about kilns, firing glass and techniques. I bought this before I bought my first kiln which was a very good idea because before reading this I had no idea what a kiln shelf was let alone shelf primer....I though I could melt any old glass! There's several tutorials in there that'll give you basic techniques that you'll keep refering back to time and time again.

The link to Amazon where you can purchase it is on the right hand side of the blog. I genuinely recommend this book to any glass fuser!

The next book I'm going to recommend is this-

Kiln Formed Bracelets, by Jayne Persico...again the link is on the right hand side of the page.

This book is my new favourite! I bought this book when I wanted to learn how to make the dichroic glass bangles that are now a feature in my shop and this book tought me everything, from what kiln to use, to how to size the bangles correctly. It's got loads of tutorials from some very unique dichroic canework to making dichroic watches. Again it's one book I keep on reffering to!

TTFN!!