Be careful when stacking the glasses. Dichroic glass surfaces should not face each other because they do not bond well. Layer your glass as a gold dichroic (black base), stringers (transparent), ripple (transparent), and cover glass (clear cap).

Once the glass has fully fused, turn the kiln off and open the door until the temperature reaches 1000°F (540°C). Close the door. Repeat until the temperature is stable at 1000°F.

After annealing the glass, turn the kiln off and wait until the glass is fully cooled before removing. For programmable kilns, you will be able to include these steps in your firing schedule.

For the first segment, fire the layers at a ramp of 500 degrees per hour with a target of 1225 degrees Fahrenheit. Hold that temperature for an hour. For the second segment, fire the layers on a full ramp with a target of 1500 degrees and hold that temperature for 30 minutes. For the third segment, fire the layers again on a full ramp with a new target temperature of 950 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour. For the fourth and last segment, fire the layers on a ramp of 150 degrees Fahrenheit per hour with a target of 725 degrees. This is a quick firing so don’t bother holding it for any allotted amount of time. Meet the target temperature and turn the kiln off.

The score line you created with a glass cutter in the previous step should be on the puddle’s other side when you break the class. So break the glass with the score line face down. Always use eye protection when you’re hitting glass with the hammer, even when doing a light or firm tap.

For the first segment, fire the puddles at a ramp of 500 degrees Fahrenheit an hour with a target of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not hold it for any amount of time, just do a rapid fire and heat it quickly until it reaches its target temp. For the second segment, fire the puddles at a full ramp with a target of 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. Hold it for 30 minutes. For the third segment, fire the puddles at full ramp again with a new target of 950 degrees Fahrenheit. Hold it for 30 minutes. For the fourth segment, fire the puddles at 300 degrees an hour with a target of 725 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t hold it. Instead just fire it rapidly again.

Shelf primer should easily rinse away after a soak. If it doesn’t, soak them again for a longer time until you notice the shelf primer is completely gone. Remove any devitrification with a sandblaster. If you don’t have any access to a sandblaster, light devitrification can removed from the tops of cabochon puddles with glass etching cream. Coat the puddles with cream for 30 minutes and then rinse them clean.

For the first firing segment, have a ramp of 500 degrees Fahrenheit an hour with a target of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not hold once it’s met its target. For the second firing segment, have a full ramp with a target of 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not hold it. For the third firing segment, have a full ramp with a target of 950 degrees Fahrenheit. Hold it for 30 minutes. For the fourth firing segment, have a ramp of 300 degrees Fahrenheit an hour with a target of 725 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not hold it.

Snap straight cuts by using breaking pliers. Alternatively, you can hold the piece of glass at either side of the cut you’ve made and snap the glass apart that way too. Tap curved cuts at the back of the glass along the score line until it begins to break.

Add small amounts of the PVA/water mix (half PVA glue, half water) to the glass to help them stick together and to prevent displacement when you move them around. Make sure that the glue is dried completely before you turn on the kiln to begin firing the pieces. Consider the location of the glass pieces you place on the kiln. For example, if you want squarer cabochons, position the glass closer to the front where the kiln is cooler.

For the first segment, have the ramp at 222C at the target temperature of 677C, and hold it for 30 minutes. For the second segment, have the ramp at 333C at the target temperature of 816C, and hold it for 10 minutes. For the third segment, have the ramp at full at the target temperature of 516C, and hold it for 30 minutes. For the fourth segment, have the ramp at 83C at the target temperature of 371C, and do not hold it. This is a rapid fire. For the fifth segment, have the ramp at full at the target temperature of 80C, and again do not hold it. This is another rapid fire. Allow the fused pieces to cool afterwards. Be aware that it can take hours for it to cool completely.