Fused Glass Drop Vases from Shimmering Glass

First create the fused glass that will be the starting point of your 'drop vase'. Any shape will do, round, square, odd shapes can be lots of fun! Whatever you do, make sure the glass is thick enough so when it stretches, it doesn't become too thin. Take the fused glass piece and place it on a form with a hole in the center. Some "drop rings" have round holes, some square and the resulting 'drop vase" shape will vary based on the type of drop ring mold you use.

Heat the kiln to a temperature between 1310 and 1350 degrees, carefully and slowly ramping the temperature up, soaking the glass for a period of time to anneal the glass properly. As the glass becomes more "liquid like", the center of the fused glass piece will begin to drop through the hole. The time you need to allow the heated glass to "drop" through the hole will vary depending on the size of the hole, the thickness and size of the original piece of fused glass you are using and the shape you would like to achieve when it has finished. Drop the glass long enough and you can create a "free standing" drop vase, drop your fused glass for a little less time and you have a beautiful vase that will look elegant in the right "stand". Drop it too long and it will become very thin, too thin to be safely used. Practice makes perfect.

Ultimately, the final look of your "drop" vase will depend on your level of patience in waiting for the glass to take the shape you desire. You can also get creative by changing the shape of the hole through which the glass will drop, by adding other elements to your "dropping" project, like using a special "rope" or "fiber paper" to add to the shape of your final Drop Vase.