Let it Snow!

How-To
Nothing says classic winter beauty like the wonder of snowflakes. First captured on film by Wilson Bentley in 1885, these hexagonal crystalline forms fall by the millions every winter covering the landscape in delicate white blankets of snow. Just like us, every snowflake that falls to earth is a one-of-a-kind form. This unique beauty has inspired art and artists for decades.

Although it seems a bit odd that you would be capturing ice with fire, snowflakes make excellent glass projects. Capturing them in a medium such as glass allows you to enjoy their beauty without ever having to worry about finding your mittens, Kevlar gloves maybe, but no mittens. As a child, one of my favorite winter pastimes was cutting paper snowflakes. Just like the real thing, each snowflake I made was different and as an adult, I still enjoy this craft as much as I did when I was 7. Now I can imagine you are already shaking your head at me saying:

"Are you suggesting I put paper snowflakes in my kiln?!?"

And my answer is, Yes. Yes, I am.

By creating paper snowflakes from fusible kiln paper, you can create these timeless decorations out of paper and capture them permanently in glass. This is a great project that can be done with the entire family, as children can assist with cutting the paper.

To create paper snowflakes, you will need to cut a square of fusible paper, such as Bullseye ThinFire Kiln Shelf Paper or Spectrum Glass Papyros Kiln Shelf Paper.

  1. Fold your square in half on the diagonal (corner to corner) to create a triangle.


  2. Fold your triangle in half again to make a smaller triangle.


  3. Fold your small triangle into thirds.


  4. Cut the top wings from your folded triangle to ensure a uniform design.


  5. Cut your snowflake details. Be sure not to cut all the way through from one side to the other.


  6. Layer your glass with your snowflakes in between. This is because your snowflakes need to be capped when fired - be sure to use a transparent cap to ensure your snowflakes are visible. For a suncatcher, be sure to use all transparent glass to allow sunlight to illuminate your project.


  7. Fire your project. We have provided a suggested full fuse firing schedule below.




Segment 1 300 F/hr 1000 F 30-75 minutes (to allow binder to burn off)
Segment 2 300 F/hr 1250 F 30 minutes (to minimize air bubbles)
Segment 3 300 F/hr 1450 F 10 minutes
Segment 4 See appropriate COE below
90 COE FULL 900 F 30 minutes
96 COE FULL 950 F 30 minutes


*Temperatures and hold times may vary as each kiln is unique.

Project shown created by Cere Seddon.
6 comments
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Eileen B.  •  November 30, 2017
I use fiber paper/fusible paper cut with paper crafting die cuts in and under my glass. If I put it under- it embosses the glass with the design. If I put it between, it is in between. I use snowflakes from Spellbinders paper crafting dies and their machine to cut my paper. I do the same with copper foil and silver foil- I cut it into shapes using paper crafting dies and put it between the glass.) You can get very detailed designs using paper crafting dies and fiber paper/fusible paper.
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Jennifer B.  •  May 22, 2014
@CCCreations the paper is in between the layers. Fusible paper does not burn away - the snowflakes are white because the Bullseye fusible paper is white. GlassLine offers a line of fusible papers in a variety of colors and textures for a fun project any season!
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Cindy C.  •  May 13, 2014
The paper is between two layers of glass? What makes the snowflakes white if the paper burns away? This would be so lovely to try!
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Jennifer B.  •  January 10, 2014
@blnowlin I doubt this project would work in the microwave kiln due to the speed that the small microwave kiln heats up. This firing schedule includes a lengthy hold to release air pockets created by the paper inclusion and to let the binders burn off. That is almost impossible to replicate in a microwave kiln.
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Wanda H.  •  January 10, 2014
I use different paper punches to punch out stars, hearts, butterflies or what ever out of thin firs shelf paper. I slump it into bottles for unique cheese plates and spoon rests.
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Barbara N.  •  January 09, 2014
Do you think this would work in the microwave kiln?
ABOUT ME
Cere Seddon

Cere Seddon

Cere Seddon joined the Delphi team in 2004. She started in the Lansing Creativity Center before taking a yearlong sabbatical to go live in and explore New Zealand. Upon returning, Cere rejoined the Delphi team as part of the Contact Center where she brought her expertise to our International Services program. Recently Cere has joined the merchandising team and maintains many of the wonderful products listed on our website. Cere is no stranger to art glass. She got her start in 2002, when she underwent a yearlong borosilicate lampworking apprenticeship. Cere now enjoys many art glass and jewelry mediums and says that creative passion is something you can never have too much of.