One of my goals this year is to step outside my comfort zone and use a new mold each month—and it’s been such a fun journey so far. Exploring different molds has really opened up new creative possibilities, from intricate textures that add depth and detail to smooth slumping molds that shape each piece in a completely different way. Here are some of the molds I’ve worked with so far this year, each one bringing its own unique character and inspiration to my glass. ✨
For April, I worked with a beautiful blend of green, white, and blue glass called Lagoon Opal, and I absolutely love how the colors flow together. There’s something so calming and almost watery about this glass—it really lives up to its name. I used it on two different molds, starting with this shallow spoon rest. The soft shape paired with the gentle movement of the glass creates a piece that feels both functional and serene, like a little slice of nature right on your countertop.
The next mold is much deeper, which always adds a bit of a challenge—and a bit of excitement. It slumped beautifully and held its shape really well, though it didn’t quite pick up the texture from the mold like I had hoped. That’s one of the tricky things about deeper molds—they don’t always capture every detail the same way. Still, I’m really happy with how this piece turned out. The smooth, flowing form paired with those gorgeous Lagoon Opal colors gives it an elegant, almost organic feel that makes it stand on its own. ✨
Working with new molds each month has been such a rewarding challenge, pushing me to experiment, learn, and sometimes embrace the unexpected. April’s pieces with Lagoon Opal reminded me how much the glass itself can influence the final design, with its beautiful, flowing colors creating movement all on their own. Even when a mold doesn’t capture every detail as planned, there’s still so much beauty in the outcome. That’s one of the things I love most about fused glass—every piece is a little surprise, and every project is a chance to grow. I can’t wait to see what next month’s mold will bring!
If you would like to see more of my fused glass work please refer to my website Elegant Fused Glass by Karen. If you get a chance, check out all my sites, Fused Glass by Karen, My Etsy store, my Art fire Store, my Pinterest, and Elegant Fused Glass by Karen youtube. If you would like to stay abreast of what I’m up-to and learn a little more about jewelry, check out our newsletter. It is published the last day of each month.
Keeping my Kiln warm,
Karen
