Instructions

• 1). Place a kiln shelf on your work table beside a sketch of the piece you want to make. Place an oversized piece of shelf paper over your shelf to keep the hot glass from sticking to it.
  
  
• 2). Cut out each piece of glass with glass cutters, following your sketch. For difficult cuts, it is better to cut your piece too large than too small. Cut one additional piece the full size of the artwork for the background.
  
  
• 3). Grind down the edges of the pieces where required for shape, using your glass grinder.
  
  
• 4). Wash all pieces of glass in warm water, and dry them with a lint-free cloth. Handle the glass with lint-free gloves after cleaning to prevent contaminating the glass.
  
  
• 5). Place the full-size piece of glass on the shelf paper, and place the rest of the glass on top, following the artwork. Add pieces of glass around the perimeter of the piece to maintain two layers of glass to prevent the sides from creeping in as the glass melts.
  
  
• 6). Program the kiln to provide the required firing segments, depending on the size and shape of the piece and the manufacturer of the glass.
  
  
• 7). Carry your kiln shelf to the kiln, and place it on the floor of the kiln. Check to see that all the pieces are where you want them. Close the kiln lid, and start the kiln to fire the piece.
  
  
• 8). Paint the slumping mold with a coat of kiln-wash to keep the glass from sticking to the mold. Place the cooled, fired piece of glass on the top of the mold so that it does not hang over the sides, and place it in the kiln.
  
  
• 9). Reprogram the kiln for a slump firing with the type and size glass you are using, and start the kiln.