Now this is an unusual way of using craft punches but what wonderful results. We were so impressed with these amazing hand-made fused glass pieces that we wanted to share them with our card making/craft ideas readers.

All of the pieces pictured here are the beautiful work of Karen Davies the owner of Hearts of Glass, Barnet, Hertfordshire. Website: http://www.heartsofglass.co.uk

The process of fusing glass is very time consuming with one firing taking eight to ten hours.

For these particular pieces Copper foil shapes have been punched out using lever craft punches. The glass is cut and laid in two layers with the copper foil shapes between those two layers. The fusing process takes place when the glass is heated in the kiln. The glass softens and then becomes fluid. This is when fusing takes place.

Bowls and other three dimensional shapes such as the candle arches then require a second firing where the glass forms into or over a mould.

Christmas Tree Fused Glass Arched Candle Stand

Craft punches used in the Christmas tree arched candle stand:

1. Big Lever Craft Punch – Fir Tree
2. Large Lever Craft Punch – Snowflake #3

Snowflake Fused Glass Arched Candle Stand

Craft punches used in the snowflake arched candle stand:

1. Large Lever Craft Punch – Snowflake #3
2. Mini Lever Craft Punch – Snowflake

Handbags & Gladrags Fused Glass Coaster

Craft punches used in the handbags & gladrags coaster:

1. Large Lever Craft Punch – Purse/Handbag
2. Large Lever Craft Punch – Ladies Shoe

Karen specialises in hand-made stained glass mobiles, panels, mirrors and other gifts combining a wide variety of methods including fused glass, copper foiling and lead lights. Most stock items can also be individually made in your choice of colours and size. Karen also takes commissions for all sizes of work. Often these are for birthdays, weddings or other special occasions when you would like a personalised gift that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Karen even runs 1 and 2 day workshops if you want to learn how to do copper foiling, lead lights or fusing yourself.

Take a browse around the Hearts of Glass website to view more of Karen’s work: http://www.heartsofglass.co.uk

A stylish comtemporary Christmas card with a glossy white raised embossed design.

Items needed to make this card:

1. 125 x 125mm square white card blank
2. Plain card in any Christmas colour i.e. red, green or even blue.
3. Dreamweaver Stencil – Line of Christmas Trees
4. Dreamweaver Stencil – Merry Christmas #3
5. Dreamweaver Stencils Embossing Paste – Glossy White
6. Palette Knife & Stencil – see Stencilling Accessories
7. Double sided sticky tape
8. Cutting mat, craft knife, ruler & pencil

Directions to make this card:

Measure and cut out a 11.5 x 11.5cm square from the plain card.

Put paper down to protect a hard flat surface and then place the card square you’ve just cut out onto the flat surface. Use stencil tape to tape down the edges of both stencils into position over the card so that the wording design is top centre. You only use the last 6 Christmas trees on the line of Christmas trees stencil so centre those 6 trees over the bottom half of the card and apply more tape over the first two trees so that the paste does not get into those. The stencils need to be completely flat against the surface because if they are bent, the paste will seep under the bridges and smear.

Remember when using embossing paste on brass/metal stencils, you need to work quickly, because the paste sets in 20-40 minutes and you don’t want it to dry into the fine bridgework of the stencils.

Pick up some of the glossy white embossing paste on the end of the metal palette knife and smooth over the stencil’s cut out areas as if icing a cake. When the paste is thick over all of the cut out areas of the stencil, scrape off the excess paste until all the holes are filled evenly and the stencil surface is smooth.

Immediately take the tape off of one of the stencils and pick up the stencil from the card, lifting it straight up and keeping it as straight as possible. It is important to clean the stencil off immediately, so drop it into a bowl of water until you have time to scrub it clean with a vegetable or nail brush. Repeat for removing the other stencil. Leave the card with the paste images on it until it is completely dry (20 to 40 minutes).

If there is a film or residue of paste left on the stencils you use a rubber stamp cleaner that removes permanent inks such as StazOn Stamp Cleaner. Apply it generously and scrub with a dry paper towel.

Use double sided sticky tape to mount the card square with the embossing paste stencilled images on it centrally onto the card blank.

Card Idea by Janine