Hot Stuff: Glass Fusing the Bohle Way

Fusing - a word you might now have already heard, but what is it in relation to the Glass Business?

Put simply, Glass Fusing is the process by which different coloured glasses are heated up and 'melted' together to produce decorative glass results. These can be both formed glass, such as bowls, lamp covers, glass art, or flat glass, such as decorative door panels or interior glass screens.

An example of fused glass with some of the coloured
glass frits which go into the mix

Fused glass is in fact an ancient art form with examples found dating back to 2000BC, however earlier last century it found a renaissance in America which subsequently became extremely popular in mainland Europe some years later.

Bohle, in Germany, pioneered this interest through its large Art Glass division and, at last, the opportunities presented by Glass Fusing are now available to the UK markets through Bohle UK.

Fusing is a whole area in itself. It has its own special ‘fusible’ glasses, and tools and of course special kilns in which to heat the glasses.

In the earlier days ceramic kilns were used or adapted to try to fuse glass, however today, companies such as Bohle provide a range of kilns specially and uniquely designed for the purpose, thus ensuring the best results are possible, and the 'experimentation'of some decades ago can be focused on design.

One of Bohle's larger glass kilns

Whilst the idea is fairly new to the UK market, the acceptance and demand for the resulting products to date has been inspiring, some would say, overwhelming. Many designers are actively seeking companies with the capability to take their design dreams and turn them into reality. On the other hand, many decorative glass companies, door panel companies and conservatory companies are bored with the over-used glass bevels, coloured film and lead designs and are eager to develop new products, which Glass Fusing allows.

Uniquely in Europe, Bohle has a dedicated catalogue for Fusing, which encompasses everything that’s required and to aid the development of this new opportunity. So committed are they, that they are organising low-cost training workshops to bring these techniques to a product hungry market.

Set-up costs are lower than most new business ventures, with small professional kilns starting at less than £2,000. Lisa Tooth, Bohle UKs dedicated internal sales co-ordinator for Fusing explained:

‘For under £3,000 it's possible to set up a professional workshop dedicated to Fusing. And with Bohles extensive stock of glass, frits, tools and other essentials the restrictions of available raw materials in the UK, which has, to date, hampered the growth of this new market, is now removed. Most popular items are available ex-stock from our Manchester warehouse or within around 72 hours from our Art Glass warehouse in Germany.’ (see photographs to the left

Early indications are that Bohles determination to bring the decorative glass industry alive through Fusing is being meet with open arms. Their first series of Fusing Workshops in August is a sell-out, with over 36 attendees booked into the event. Already a second workshop is planned for Scotland in October in conjunction with Glasgow University.

Further information can be gained by contacting Bohle on free phone 0800 61 61 51, or visiting www.fusing-hotglass.com or www.bohle.ltd.uk