How many times to fire?

[Soozintheshed]

I just read an ebay listing for fused glass, where they state it has been fired 4 times.

Is this necessary?  I have only been doing mine the once.

[Sarah]

Sooz

I must admit I've always wondered why some people say their piece has been fused several times - hope someone can help?

As far as I know it only needs to be fired once as long as you're happy with the result of that firing. But if you grind to reshape you need to fire polish it in the kiln. And if you want to add a layer with a tack fuse to a fully fused piece, or slump something then you need to fire it again. But I wouldn't have thought that most pieces would need all of this 

[Pam]

I agree with Sarah, I fire mostly once and occasionally twice of polish firing after grinding. Three I can see possible if there is a complex design and slumping. I thought I read somewhere that too many firings can add stress to large pieces, has anyone else heard this?

[handmadeheaven.biz]

as far as i know, multiple firings aren't needed. you can just do a straight fuse (full or tack). most of mine so far are single firings. i have fired more than once and plan on a multi-firing for some new work i have in my head - 1) fire small pieces, 2) fire larger pieces, 3) tack fuse pieces together, 4) slump - 5) could be a firepolish, like pam says. hope this helps?

[dinah46]

Multiple firings are quite often used when building up a design with frit or 'painting with light' as some call it. Just google Miriam Di Fiore or check this link and you'll see what I mean
http://www.artandcraft.org/pandora/foto/difiore.htm

[annasjewellerybox]

Multiple firings are quite often used when building up a design with frit or 'painting with light' as some call it. Just google Miriam Di Fiore or check this link and you'll see what I mean
http://www.artandcraft.org/pandora/foto/difiore.htm

Oh.My.GiddyAunt 

What stunning work, I want, i want, i want!

[Soozintheshed]

Thansk guys, thats great.

I have been known to pop a bit back in if it looks a bit rubbish - but I stick it with something else to try and give it a new look.

[Sarah]

Pam

I read that too - I think it was in the Warm Glass book. If I do a second firing I always slow down the initial heating stage.