Fused Glass Flowers with Copper stems

Cobalt Glass & Customworks
9 Feb 202410:40
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this instructional video, the artist demonstrates the process of creating copper tubing stems for fused glass flowers. Using a pattern from the 'Fuse Glass Flowers' book by Creative Paradise, the artist fuses glass flowers, drapes them on a mold, and drills a hole for a stem. The tutorial covers attaching the stem with soldered wire, rubber washers, and a patina finish, as well as assembling the copper tubing with wall anchors for a sturdy display. Tips for balancing heavier flowers and incorporating leaves are also included, making this a comprehensive guide for glass flower enthusiasts.

Takeaways
  • 🎨 The video is a tutorial on making copper tubing stems for fused glass flowers.
  • 📚 The presenter uses the 'Fused Glass Flowers' book from Creative Paradise as a reference for patterns and techniques.
  • 🌼 The process involves creating patterns for lilies, fusing them on a contour fuse, and then draping them on a draping mold to achieve the desired shape.
  • 🔨 After the glass flowers cool, a hole is drilled in the center using a Dremel tool and a diamond bit for attachment to the stem.
  • 🔩 The copper tubing is cut to size and shaped to fit a wall anchor that will hold a screw for attaching the glass flower.
  • 🛠️ Safety gear is recommended when using tools such as the Dremel for drilling.
  • 🌹 Tinned wire strips are used to create flower tips, which are then soldered and wrapped around the screw with a rubber washer for added stability.
  • 🖌️ A black patina from stained glass is applied to give the finished product an aged appearance.
  • 🔧 The copper tubing is prepared by cutting it to size and flaring the ends to accommodate the wall anchors and screws.
  • 🌿 If making leaves, a wire can be included in the leaf mold and then wrapped around the stem for a complete flower arrangement.
  • 📐 The video provides tips on adjusting the copper tubing to balance heavier flowers and suggests bending the tubing for display purposes.
Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video?

    -The video focuses on demonstrating the process of making copper tubing stems for fused glass flowers.

  • What book is the presenter referring to for patterns?

    -The presenter refers to the 'Fused Glass Flowers' book from Creative Paradise for patterns.

  • How does the presenter suggest attaching the fused glass flowers to the copper tubing stems?

    -The presenter suggests attaching the fused glass flowers to the copper tubing stems by placing them on a contour fuse, draping them on a draping mold, and then drilling a hole through the center for the stem.

  • What tool does the presenter use to drill a hole in the fused glass flower?

    -The presenter uses a Dremel with a diamond bit to drill a hole in the fused glass flower.

  • What is the purpose of the small hole in the top of the mold?

    -The small hole in the top of the mold allows air to escape during firing and also creates a hole for the center of the flower.

  • How does the presenter create the illusion of a flower on the copper tubing stem?

    -The presenter creates the illusion of a flower by soldering on tined wire tips, wrapping them around a screw with a rubber washer, and applying black patina from stained glass.

  • What type of wire does the presenter use for the copper tubing stems?

    -The presenter uses 20-gauge wire, which is a 10-stained glass wire, for the copper tubing stems.

  • Why does the presenter use a rubber washer on the bottom of the copper tubing stem?

    -The rubber washer is used to provide a base and prevent the screw from slipping out of the copper tubing stem.

  • What is the purpose of the wall anchor inside the copper tubing stem?

    -The wall anchor inside the copper tubing stem is used to hold the screw in place and provide stability for the fused glass flower.

  • How does the presenter ensure the copper tubing is properly flared at the end?

    -The presenter uses a pipe cutter to create an internal flare and then uses a Philips head screwdriver and a flathead screwdriver to ream out and slightly flare the outside of the tubing.

  • What additional step does the presenter suggest for displaying larger or top-heavy fused glass flowers?

    -The presenter suggests bending the copper tubing stem slightly to balance the weight of larger or top-heavy fused glass flowers for proper display.

Outlines
00:00
🔨 Crafting Copper Tubing Stems for Glass Flowers

Kevin from Coal Glass demonstrates the process of creating copper tubing stems for glass flowers using patterns from the 'Fuse Glass Flowers' book by Creative Paradise. He details the steps of laying out the glass pieces, fusing them on a contour fuse, draping them on a mold to achieve the lily shape, and then cooling them. After cooling, he drills a hole in the center for the stem using a Dremel and a diamond bit. He also explains how to create a hole in the top of the mold for air escape and to facilitate the drilling process. Finally, he discusses attaching the glass flowers to a number six screw with soldered wire tips, a rubber washer, and black patina for a realistic look.

05:02
🛠 Assembling the Copper Tubing Stems

The second paragraph focuses on the assembly of the copper tubing stems for the glass flowers. Kevin explains how to cut the copper tubing to size using a pipe cutter or hacksaw, ensuring a flared end for the wall anchor. He demonstrates how to ream out the inside and outside of the tubing to accommodate the wall anchor and the anchor's wider top with a lip. He advises on the need to work with the tubing to ensure a snug fit for the anchor, and suggests leaving the flared end as a washer or using a black marker to color it. The paragraph concludes with the final assembly of the stem, including the use of a washer and screw, and the optional addition of wire-wrapped leaves.

10:03
🌟 Displaying and Customizing Glass Flower Stems

In the final paragraph, Kevin discusses the customization and display options for the glass flowers with copper stems. He suggests bending the stems to balance heavier flowers and mentions the possibility of using different display methods such as vases or direct insertion into a plant. He invites viewers to ask questions or leave comments and encourages them to like, subscribe, and share feedback if they enjoyed the video. The paragraph ends with a warm thank you and a wish for a great day.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Copper Tubing
Copper tubing is a type of pipe made from copper, commonly used in plumbing and various crafts due to its malleability and heat resistance. In the context of the video, it is used to create stems for glass flowers, serving as a sturdy yet flexible base. The script describes the process of shaping and cutting the copper tubing to fit the glass flower pieces.
💡Fusing Glass
Fusing glass is a technique where pieces of glass are heated in a kiln until they melt and fuse together to form a new, cohesive piece. The video script discusses fusing glass flowers, where the artist follows patterns from a book to cut and assemble glass pieces before firing them in a kiln to create the desired shapes.
💡Draping Mold
A draping mold is a form used in glassworking to shape the glass as it cools, giving it a specific contour or curve. In the script, the artist drapes the fused glass on a draping mold to achieve the shape of the lilies, demonstrating the importance of molds in glass art to create three-dimensional forms.
💡Safety Gear
Safety gear refers to protective clothing and equipment used to prevent personal injury. The video mentions wearing safety gear when drilling a hole in the glass flower, emphasizing the importance of safety precautions when working with potentially hazardous tools and materials.
💡Dremel and Diamond Bit
A Dremel is a type of rotary tool used for drilling, cutting, grinding, and more. A diamond bit is a cutting tool designed for drilling through hard materials like glass or stone. The script describes using a Dremel with a diamond bit to create a hole in the center of the glass flower for attaching it to the copper stem.
💡Soldering
Soldering is a process in which two or more metal items are joined together by melting and flowing a filler metal into the joint. In the context of the video, soldering is used to attach metal tips to wire, which will later be used to create the illusion of a flower stem.
💡Patina
Patina refers to a thin layer that forms on the surface of materials, often metal, as a result of age or chemical reactions. In the script, black patina from stained glass is mentioned as a finishing touch to give the metal a black color, enhancing the visual appeal of the glass flower piece.
💡Wall Anchor
A wall anchor is a device used to secure objects to walls, especially in areas where screws cannot directly grip the material. The video script discusses using a wall anchor to secure the copper tubing in place, illustrating the practical application of wall anchors in craft projects.
💡Stained Glass Wire
Stained glass wire is a type of wire used in stained glass work to hold pieces of glass together. The script mentions using 20-gauge wire, which is a specific thickness, to wrap around a screw for attaching the glass flower, demonstrating the use of wire in reinforcing and assembling glass art.
💡Plumbing Washers
Plumbing washers are flat, usually round pieces of material used to distribute load in a joint, helping to prevent leakage. In the video, rubber washers are mentioned as being used at the bottom of the glass flower stem to provide a seal and stability when inserted into the copper tubing.
💡Pipe Cutter
A pipe cutter is a tool used to cut pipes or tubes cleanly and accurately. The script describes using a pipe cutter to cut the copper tubing to the correct size for the glass flower stem, highlighting the importance of precision in crafting such projects.
Highlights

Introduction to making copper tubing stems for glass flowers.

Use of the 'Fused Glass Flowers' book from Creative Paradise as a guide.

Creating stems by fusing glass flowers onto a copper tube.

Explanation of the pattern cutting and sizing process for glass flowers.

Laying out and fusing glass pieces on a contour fuse.

Draping glass on a mold to achieve the shape of lilies.

Technique for creating a hole in the center of the glass flower using a Dremel and diamond bit.

Reaming the hole to fit a number six screw for structural support.

Using tinned wire to create flower tips and attaching them to screws with rubber washers.

Applying black patina to the wire for an aesthetic finish.

Creating an illusion of a flower by dropping the patina-coated wire through the hole.

Cutting copper tubing to size for flexibility in shaping.

Inserting a wall anchor into the copper tubing for screw attachment.

Using 20-gauge wire for wrapping around screws to create flower centers.

Taper shaping of rubber washers for a better fit.

Using a pipe cutter to create a flared end on the copper tubing.

Technique for inserting and securing wall anchors into the copper tubing.

Assembling the flower with a washer and screw for stability.

Balancing top-heavy flowers by adjusting the copper stem.

Encouragement for viewers to ask questions and engage with the content.

Request for likes, subscriptions, and a closing thank you.

Transcripts

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Fused GlassDIY TutorialGlass FlowersCopper StemsArt CraftStained GlassCreative ParadiseDraping MoldSoldering TipsHome Decor