FLOWER POWER
Fused Glass Daisy Jewelry
KISSY FISHY
Stained Glass Fish Ornaments
DAINTY FAVOR
Stained Glass Floral Planter Stakes
LEARN GLASS FUSING!
Instructional Courses
DISPLAYABLE & WEARABLE GLASS ART
Original stained glass pieces handcrafted with care
Recommended Tools & Materials
👋🏻 Hi! Your instructor, Jackie Knowles here!
These are the tools and materials I personally use in my glass studio.
I’ve tried countless different items over the years, and this is the list of those that I’ve found to be the most reliable, user-friendly, and conducive to creating quality art pieces; I highly recommend them all to both beginners and experienced artists alike!
STAINED GLASS
Oceanside Compatible® glass sheets make up about half of my supply, and they’re very beginner-friendly. I also frequently use sheets made by Bullseye, Wissmach, and Youghiogheny.
GLASS CUTTER
My favorite is an old K*Star cutter that I inherited from my dad, but it’s tough to find now! My second choice is the BOHLE-Silberschnitt® 5000.0 cutter because it glides so smoothly and its textured brass handle provides a beautifully luxurious feel.
RUNNING PLIERS
I adore the BOHLE-Silberschnitt® 700.0 running pliers because their rotating head makes breaking tight curves a breeze.
For beginners I’d instead recommend Studio-Pro running pliers, which are simpler and less expensive.
GROZING PLIERS
Studio-Pro grozing pliers are my go-to. I have 2 pairs because when working with small pieces, it’s easier to use 1 pair to hold the glass itself and another pair to break off excess glass.
GLASS GRINDER
Words can’t describe my fondness for Techniglass’s ‘The Grinder’. It has the largest grinding surface I’ve ever seen, a wide LED light strip, and their customer service is extremely kind and helpful.
Before upgrading to The Grinder, I used a small Gryphon Gryphette, which is perfect for beginners who aren’t ready to make a big investment.
KILN SHELF
I typically use the 7” ceramic kiln shelf that came with my kiln. However, I’ve used similar shelves from Fused Glass Warehouse and gotten the same successful results.
KILN WASH
HotLine Primo Primer mixes easily and always gives my shelf a reliably smooth firing surface.
SHELF PAPER
Bullseye ThinFire shelf paper gives the smoothest firing surface of any paper I’ve tried. For beginners, I’d recommend buying several small, precut squares.
For experienced artists, I’d recommend investing in a roll of larger sheets to accommodate more complex projects.
FIBER PAPER
Bullseye fiber paper is so durable that I’m often able to refire the thick papers many times over, and it usually doesn’t trigger devitrification.
SLUMPING/DRAPING/CASTING MOLDS
Creative Ceramics (distributed by Bullseye in the U.S.) slumping and casting molds come in a multitude of different sizes and forms, and always result in flawless fused forms.
For draping, I use a set of stainless steel molds from Rainbow Art Glass which are the perfect size for my small kiln (make sure to watch Lesson 7 to properly prep these for firing, since they can be tricky)!
MARKERS
Switching from normal Sharpies to oil-based paint markers was a game changer in my studio! As long as you give these babies a minute to dry, they’ll stay on glass through a car wash.
RULER
I prefer to use a Westcott 15” cork-backed metal ruler because it’s sturdy and doesn’t slip when I use it as a guide to cut against.
Accessory Glasses
Both Oceanside Compatible® and Bullseye produce a huge range of accessory glasses including frit, stringers, noodles/ribbons, and rods which are all staples of my studio.
Small bundles/jars of Oceanside Compatible® accessory glasses (perfectly sized for hobbyists!) can be found on Amazon in a rainbow of colors.
TILE NIPPERS
I don’t use tile nippers too often, but when I do it’s a heavy-duty pair with carbide cutting wheels.
KILN
The EvenHeat Studio Pro STP 120v glass kiln is the workhorse of my studio, and I love it! Its compact design makes it ideal for small home studios.
GRINDER BITS
Techniglass makes innovative ‘Quick Fit’ bits that can be installed and removed in a snap. I also frequently use TWOFERS traditional bits because they’re affordable and long-lasting. Both are available in several different sizes and grits (I’d recommend 3/4” or 1” regular-grit bits for beginners).
POLARIZATION FILTERS
I bought a single polarization filter from Amazon, cut it in half, and taped each half to a matboard to make the set easier to use and help protect their fragile surface coatings.
GLUE
I prefer to build projects directly in my kiln and avoid using glue entirely (as it burns off during firing it creates small air movements that can shift glass out of place), but in the rare case that I need it, I use Bullseye Glastac Gel since it’s specifically formulated for fusing and doesn’t trigger devitrification.
CLEANING AGENTS
I use a mix of 91% isopropyl alcohol and organic, distilled white vinegar to clean glass, as that’s the combination I’ve found least likely to trigger devitrification.
I’ve also had good experience using distilled water and Dr. Bronner’s dish soap, which you might already have around your home!
CLOTHS
I always have a stack of fresh cloths on hand to clean glass! I like those I found on Amazon because they’re highly absorbent, come in large quantities, and are available in lots of colors (so I can easily distinguish between the cloths I use to wipe patina/flux/steel wool off of stained glass pieces and the cloths I use to clean fused glass prior to firing—which never touch anything other than glass and cleaning agents!).
SAFETY GOGGLES
I wear a simple pair of safety goggles I found on Amazon. I like that they’re strong, lightweight, and have side shields for full protection.
RESPIRATOR
I use a 3M respirator because it’s NIOSH-approved and adjustable so I can get it to fit my face exactly.
I use P100 fume and particulate cartridges with it because they’re also NIOSH-approved and used by pros in commercial industries like construction/painting/woodwork/etc.
GLOVES
I’m a fan of Atlas gardening gloves because they have a nitrile coating that’s lightly heat-resistant and they come in a small size that actually fits my hands (ladies, why is that such an impossible quality to find??).
When cleaning glass, I wear ~6mm nitrile gloves because they never tear and they don’t have powder coatings that can trigger devitrification.
Learned Something Valuable?
Say Thanks!
👋🏻 Hi! Your instructor, Jackie Knowles here!
Even though I put my heart, soul, and tons of time into creating this course,
I offer it completely free because I want everyone to have an easily accessible introduction
to this art form that I love so much…
…and I believe that creating makes people happy,
and happy people make the world a more fun place to live 🌍
But if you find this course valuable, you can show me a little love with a donation! I reinvest every cent I earn right back into my little biz so I can continue making better and better things for you!
Sharing this course with a friend or on socials is another great way to support my efforts 📢
LEARN GLASSWORKING!
Glasswork Pixie has partnered with Oceanside Compatible® to create comprehensive learning materials that will teach you the art of glassworking.
Glass Fusing + Stained Glass Instructional Courses
NEW IN:
BUTTERCREAM DREAMS COLLECTION
Sweeten your style with vibrantly sprinkled fused glass cupcake earrings, necklaces, and pins, all fresh-baked from the Glasswork Pixie kiln!
WEAR YOUR GLASS
Upgrade your look with fused glass accessories made with premium sterling silver or 14 kt. gold-filled findings and chains.
Pop-Tart Earrings
Snack Attack
Sweet Scoop
Ice Cream Cone Pin
Summer Drip
Popsicle Necklace
Flower Power
Daisy Earrings
HANG YOUR GLASS
Elevate your space with contemporary stained glass panels designed to hang in windows or against walls.
"Put Me In, Coach!"
Ace Ventura Brass & Glass Wall Hanging
Unzipped
Flirty Selfie Panel
Woodland Whimsy
Mushroom Trio Panel
GIFT YOUR GLASS
Show someone you care with the thoughtful gift of a unique stained glass ornament they won’t find anywhere else.
Gelatinous Iridescence
Jellyfish Ornament
Celebration Slice
Cake Ornament
Toadstool
Mushroom Ornament
COMMISSION CUSTOM GLASS
-
Made in the likeness of your beloved furry friend, these portraits incorporate intricate wirework and fused glass to capture all the little details that make your pet so adorably unique.
-
These portraits recreate your most special moment by capturing every unique detail with intricate fused glass and careful wirework, all romantically wrapped within a decorative twisted metal border.
MEET THE ARTIST
“I strive to provide clients with functional art pieces that are not only exquisitely beautiful, but are also created with structural integrity and premium materials meant to endure through generations.”
Creator of Glasswork Pixie
GO BEHIND THE SCENES
Glasswork Pixie’s Studio Journal entries explain how specific pieces are made as well as general glassworking techniques, tips, and tricks.
Journal Entry: Cutting Stained Glass with a Separating Ring Saw Blade
The easiest and most efficient way to cut large or irregular-shaped holes is by using a ring saw with a separating blade installed. However, before using the saw, there’s some prep work to be done to ensure it goes smoothly.
HEAR FROM CUSTOMERS
Regarding her Fused Glass
Pop-Tart Earrings:
“I wanted these earrings for so long but had to hold off because of their cost. But I've been wearing them for weeks now and can say they're worth every single penny! So many people immediately recognize what they are and get really excited. I even think they've gotten me more tips (I'm a waitress) because they're such a fun conversation starter. Now I'm saving for the vanilla too so I can wear one of each at the same time.”
— Ashley G.
Regarding her Stained Glass
Pet Portrait Commission:
“Words cant describe how happy I am with my dog's portrait! Jackie did an unbelievable job of capturing his appearance, especially the expression in his sweet eyes, I dont know how she does it! She made the commission process a very positive experience and even ended up finishing Baxter's portrait a week earlier than we expected. I will definitely commission more pieces as gifts. Thank you Jackie!!!”
— Terry E.
Regarding his Fused Glass
Custom Location Ornament:
“This was my second purchase from Jackie and I couldn't be happier. It has been incredible to watch her style evolve over the years! We bought a "thank you" gift for one of our friends after planning a trip and this was the perfect way to commemorate our adventures. These are way more thoughtful than just getting someone a gift basket and they last forever! 100% recommend and will be buying more in the future!”
