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Using Fiber Paper as an Inclusion
This is one of a
series on inclusions in glass. To start at the beginning,
click here.
Although it's common to use metals such as copper and silver
as inclusions, fiber paper also makes an interesting and inexpensive
inclusion. It can be used in several ways, including the
following:
1. Shapes can be punched in thin fiber paper with
a craft punch, then sandwiched between two layers and glass and
fully fused. This technique, which works well with thin papers
such as thinfire or 1/16" thick paper, gives the best results when
used with a background glass that contrasts with the brilliant white
fiber paper. Punched out stars on dichroic glass, for
instance, make a novel jewelry cabochon when capped with clear.
2. Common 1/8" (3mm) or 1/16" fiber paper can be cut to
shape with scissors or a craft knife, then colored by using enamel
or mica powder. Simply mix the powder with a binder such as Klyr-fire or a fusing glue, then dip the prepared fiber paper in the
mixed solution. Make sure the paper is totally covered
(including the edges), then place it between two pieces of glass and
fire.
Just remember -- if you're using fiber paper as an inclusion
sealed between two layers of glass, it's essential that the paper is
no more than 1/8" (3mm) thick. Thicker papers have the
potential to crack the glass.
Click here for more on using fiber paper as a temporary
inclusion to form air pockets in fused glass.
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Copyright 2006 Brad Walker.
All rights reserved.
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