I had some handmade copper glass in my studio that I had created using glass and copper sparkle paint, and I decided it was finally time to put it back into use! Previously, I turned the glass into these fused glass nightlights, using a couple of different techniques for the designs. The nightlights wolf and Defend the Second designs were created with screen-printed glass enamel, while the Dad piece was made using a glass decal. Of course, the little dish and votive (both are screen-printed) That’s one of the things I love about fused glass—there are so many different techniques you can combine to create completely different looks. I especially love how the black designs stand out against the warm, sparkly copper background.
This gave me a chance to play with several different techniques on a much smaller scale. I used a combination of screen-printed enamel, glass decals, and murrine, giving each pendant its own personality. The black screen-printed and decal designs really stand out against the warm copper sparkle. I especially love the wolves, horse, fish, and woodland scene. For some of the pendants, I added small pieces of murrine, including the little rose, which adds another layer of color and detail. That’s one of my favorite things about fused glass. I can start with the exact same sheet of glass and create pieces that look completely different simply by changing the technique or adding one little detail. And because these are pendants, the copper sparkle catches the light as they’re worn. They may be small pieces, but there’s actually quite a bit going on in each one!
After the pendants, I kept going! I used more of the copper sparkle glass to make pocket hearts, a pocket cross, and a little bear. Some of the hearts were decorated with screen-printed enamel designs, including a flower and a cat sitting on a branch. I also made one with a fun little character decal, while another heart and the cross were left undecorated so the copper sparkle could be the star. The bear is one of my favorites because it shows just how pretty the handmade glass is all by itself. Depending on the light, the copper can look soft and subtle or really sparkle. I love making pocket pieces because they’re small enough to carry with you, give as a little gift, or simply keep somewhere special. ❤️
Of course, I couldn’t stop with the pendants and pocket pieces! 😂 I also used some of the copper sparkle glass to make small fused glass pins, adding colorful murrine to several of them. Murrine are tiny pieces of patterned glass, and I love using them because no two are exactly alike. Some look like little flowers, swirls, or abstract designs, and they add wonderful pops of color against the warm copper background. I also experimented with combining the copper glass with screen-printed designs and other bits of glass, which gave each little pin a completely different look. That’s what made this batch so much fun. I started with the same handmade copper sparkle glass, but by changing what I added to it, I ended up with pieces ranging from simple and elegant to colorful and whimsical.
I still wasn’t finished with my copper glass! I made a couple of Christmas ornaments, decorating them with tiny holiday murrine — Santa faces, peppermint candies, snowmen, presents and other little Christmas designs. I love how the bright colors stand out against the copper sparkle. Then I went in a completely different direction and made a flower garden votive. I used flower and leaf murrine along with bits of green glass to create a tiny garden, complete with a little ladybug. After firing, I attached the finished fused glass piece to a clear glass votive holder. I think this one really shows why I enjoy murrine so much. Those tiny pieces of glass can become flowers, leaves, characters — just about anything — and they add so much detail to a piece.
This last piece is a little different from the others. Instead of starting with the copper sparkle glass I had made earlier, I used copper glass paint to create the textured, almost weathered-looking background. Then, of course, I had to add a wolf! 🐺 If you’ve followed my glass for a while, you’ve probably figured out that I love wolves, so they tend to find their way into quite a few of my pieces. I especially like the contrast in this one—the copper has an almost rustic, organic appearance, while the black wolf and forest design really stands out against it. It’s a completely different look from the smooth sparkle of the other pieces, even though copper is still the common thread. That’s what I enjoyed most about this little copper adventure. One material and one color inspired so many different pieces and techniques—nightlights, pendants, pocket pieces, pins, ornaments, a votive, and finally this wolf.
What I love most about these copper pieces is seeing just how many different directions one idea can take me. From nightlights and pendants to pocket pieces, ornaments, murrine, screen printing, decals, and of course a few wolves 🐺, each project became another chance to experiment and play. That’s really what fused glass is all about for me—trying something new, seeing what happens in the kiln, and having fun along the way. And I have a feeling my copper experiments aren’t over yet! ❤️✨
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 site and my 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 kilns warm,
Karen
