8. RitzyToo: What is dichroic glass? You referred to the dangers in traditional glass fusing.
Would you please elaborate?
Fran: Dichroic means 2-color, or something that changes color depending on your angle of
view. There is a special type of glass that will color shift when fused in layers onto a dark
base, such as a piece of black glass.
This technique requires tools to cut glass, a kiln to fuse it, and quite a bit of money to get up and
running. The beads and pendants you can create are beautiful, but the skill and equipment
needed to get started makes it prohibitive for most of us.
We’ve developed a way to create the look of dichroic
glass, without the expense, or the danger. It’s called
Dichro-ISH, and it’s really fun! Many top-notch glass
artists have told us it’s the closest they’ve seen to actual glass, and lets you do many things you couldn’t do
with traditional glass techniques.
The video below demonstrates how easy it is to create
gorgeous focal pieces, buttons, and beads. Our DichroISH Supplies and support make it fun for everyone!
9. RitzyToo: In what ways does your Brilliant Resin process improve on traditional glass fusing? How do the products that are produced from the two techniques compare?
Fran: First, it’s much safer and easier, even kids can make gorgeous creations.
Second, it’s much less expensive. Third, you can do so much more, such as layering, embedding our dichroic films along with other objects that couldn’t withstand the heat of
glass fusing. Fourth, your resin pieces will be about 1/3 of the weight of a glass piece, so
that makes them more comfortable to wear, particularly for earrings and buttons.
Fifth, they’re drillable so you can make beads, buttons, and embellishments of any kind.
Sixth, they’re washable, so if you’d like to incorporate them into wearable pieces, that’s
just fine. Just make sure nothing sharp (like exposed zippers), is in the wash with them.
Oh, I could go on and on.....
52| April-May | RitzyToo! | RitzyToo.com