One of the things I love most about fused glass is its incredible ability to transform—again and again. A few months ago, I shared a blog post about the vase in the first picture (and another piece that was a beautiful shade of blue, though I can’t seem to find the photo of that one!). From that broken vase, I created several new artworks, including a stand, a casted bear, two votives, a dish, and a sconce—and let me tell you, the sconce is always a crowd favorite!
Well, years ago, I created a copper-painted plate for a restaurant, and I was so excited about how it was coming together. But during the final firing, one of the plates broke in the kiln. At first, I was disappointed (we’ve all been there!), but that moment became an important reminder of something magical: in fused glass, a break isn’t always an ending. Sometimes it’s the beginning of an entirely new creative journey.
Well, I finally got around to creating new pieces from this gorgeous copper plate, and I’m thrilled with how they turned out. Here are two little 3-inch dishes—just the right size for ring holders, teaspoon rests, tea bag holders, or any small treasures you want to keep close. The dish on the left features a screen-printed design, while the one on the right was made with a kiln-fired decal. Both came out beautifully with perfect firing schedules, and each one shows off that rich copper reaction that made me fall in love with this glass in the first place.
Because this copper glass has such a beautiful transparent quality, I knew it would be perfect for nightlights—and it did not disappoint! I created three of them: the first features a “Dad” decal, the middle one showcases a screen-printed wolf, and the third is a screen-printed “Defend the 2nd.” The warm glow of the copper glass gives each one a rich, rustic look, and they make wonderful gifts—especially for husbands, dads, or anyone who appreciates a bold and meaningful design.
I loved the organic shape of this piece of copper glass, so I turned it into a beautiful votive featuring a screen-printed wolf. The shape, the texture, and that rich copper reaction all work together perfectly. When the candlelight shines through, it has such a warm, wild, and rustic glow. Isn’t it just perfect?
And that’s why I think glass is so amazing—because even when something breaks, it isn’t lost. With a little imagination, patience, and a fresh trip through the kiln, you can turn shattered pieces into something stunning, meaningful, and completely new. In fused glass, just like in life, it’s incredible what can happen when we take what’s broken and make it beautiful again. 💛
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’d like to take a class, please check out the information on my site about my classes. If you would like to stay abreast of what I’m up-to check out our newsletter. It is published the last day of each month.
Karen
