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Inclusions By Category
This is part two of a
series on inclusions in glass. To start at the beginning,
click here.
Here's a list of common inclusions that work well in glass.
Metals
Keep them fairly thin, the thicker they
are the more likely they are to cause problems. Most metals
work best between two layers of glass, but a few (such as thin
silver and gold foils) can also work on top of the glass. Just about
any metal can be used, but don't use zinc (or galvanized steel,
which is zinc coated) -- that gives off a poisonous gas. Some to
try:
copper -- wire, leaf, foil, sheet
silver -- wire, leaf, foil, sheet
gold -- wire, leaf, foil, sheet
brass -- foil, sheet
aluminum -- foil, cut up soft drink cans
Organic materials
Some organics will burn up in the kiln,
but most will leave traces behind. Most are best sandwiched
between two layers of glass. As with all inclusions,
experimentation is the key.
Fruits and vegetables (best in a casting, burn them out and then
fill the cavity with glass)
Dollar bills - don't fire too high, try 1450 or so
Starfish -- put on bottom of sheet of glass
Try some other organic things (like dead frogs and such)
Click here for a
discussion of sea shells as an inclusion.
Air bubbles
Most of the time bubbles are
unintentional and often they're not desirable, but planned air
bubbles can be quite attractive. They can be made from reed
glass, stringers, sandblasted glass, and more.
Fiber paper
Ordinary fiber paper can also be used
as an inclusion, in any thickness from thinfire up to 1/4" (6mm).
Click here for information on
using fiber paper as an inclusion.
Stay tuned -- future tips
will offer specific instructions on how to fire these and many more
inclusions.
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Copyright 2005 Brad Walker.
All rights reserved.
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