Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Wikipedia – Fused Glass

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I find Wikipedia an interesting site in this age of the internets. Full of information. But living, breathing information since it can be updated regularly. Even you can update it. I like to see what they have to say about the various disciplines of glass working and today we’re looking at fused glass also known as kiln forming. I like kiln forming. It sounds so much more artistic than fusing. But, hey, that’s me. Up at Bullseye in Portland they refer to it as kiln forming. You may like fusing. Either way Wikipedia says it’s a term used to describe glass that has been fired in a kiln to temperatures ranging from 1099F to 1501F.

There’s more to fusing than that and I know people that take the temperatures higher to achieve different effects. But if you need to explain fusing or kiln forming to someone this isn’t too bad a place to send them. You’ll also get a bit of history and techniques and links to take you to places that can provide you with more information. That’s what this is about with Wikipedia, information…

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Try This Fun Bake Off Drawing Challenge with a Group of Kids

My daughter is 16 and one of her favorite things to do on school breaks is watch The Great British Bake Off. It’s such a soothing show, as well as being creative and fun, and it’s low stakes enough that it isn’t stressful, which is just the thing you need when you’re on a break from school. 

If you don’t have an oven or want to do your own real Bake Off challenges, this baking show inspired drawing challenge from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls is a great alternative. This works best if you have a group of kids to play, but you could also do it along with a child at home. 

The post includes a bunch of different “baking” challenges for kids to draw. As an example: “Draw a dozen delicious doughnuts! Be sure to include at least two different flavors of icing. Challenge yourself to think of as many creative toppings as you can.” 

Give them a set amount of time (maybe 10-15 minutes) to draw their creations based on the prompt. Then have each child present their creation, explaining what they chose to draw and why (and what the different flavors are if it’s not obvious). 

There doesn’t have to be a winner, but kids can vote on their favorites or you can “award” things like most colorful, tallest creation, etc. Sarah suggests if doing this with little kids you can come up with an award for everyone, but there need not be prizes involved. 

With older kids you might do a couple of rounds and pick winners so that you can have a “star baker” just like in the show. 

This is a game that would be a lot of fun for kids of different ages, and you can do it multiple times with the different prompts. 

Get all the details and the challenge cards from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls. 

[Photo: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls]