Oh, Tannenbaum! Technique Sheet

Design courtesy of Bisque Imports

Oh, Tannenbaum! incorporates a unique glass technique into a striking seasonal sample. Use it to create flowers, fireworks, or other shapes throughout the year!

MATERIALS

CF267.72F-5 Sunflower Opalescent Frit - Fine
GL02 Black Glassline Pen
GSTRIP200 White Opalescent Strips (2)
GSTRIP223-72 Turquoise Green Opalescent Strips (2)
GSTRIP226-72 Lemongrass Opalescent Strips (2)
GSTRIP226-74 Amazon Green Opalescent Strips (2)
ROMG-ASST Mardi Gras Rod Assortment
ST340 1" Running Pliers
ST342 Breaker/Grozer
ST352 Pistol Grip Glass Cutter
ST356 Wheel Mosaic Cutter
ST540 Thinfire Paper

SUPPLIES

Angled Straw
Black Permanent Marker
Elmer's Gel Glue
Nipping Basket
Non-Aerosol Hairspray

Click on the item numbers to see more about the products in this technique sheet, and to order the items for your project.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the 6" clear square over the printed template image. Trace the tree silhouette with a thin black Sharpie.

2. We're going to be working with placing Glass Strips upright, on their skinniest surface. Place a White Strip upright in the center of the tree silhouette, with one end touching the top center point of the tree. Use a permanent marker to mark the strip where it intersects with the bottom of the tree. (See diagram)

3. Hold the White Strip in place as you place a Lemongrass strip against the right side. Again, align one end of the strip with the tree outline and mark where the strip meets the tree bottom.

4. Repeat step #3 with Turquoise Green and Amazon Green. Continue this pattern, holding the strips in place and stacking until you reach the far right corner of the tree.

5. Place each strip flat onto a cutting surface. Use a Pistol Grip Glass Cutter to score a line at every marked point along each strip. Break along each score with the Running Pliers.

6. Time to create a funky texture! With each strip still positioned on its "back" or widest surface, score a wavy line from end to end.. Break aol ng each score with Running Pliers.

7. Working one strip at a time, dip one end of the strip into a small amount of Elmer's Glue and place on the tree. Position on the tree using the same pattern as before until the entire right side is complete. Note: Elmer's Glue works best for this project as it becomes tacky immediately, strong enough to hold the strips in an upright position.

8. Repeat this process to fill the left half of the tree. To cut down on waste, reuse the leftover strip pieces from the right side of the tree.

9. To finish the design, cut a small piece of rod to create a tree trunk. Cut 4 small rod pieces for each corner and strips to create a border. Use Elmer's Glue to adhere to the project.

10. Using an angled straw, use Sunflower frit to fill the star shape. Sprinkle a little frit over the entire project.

11. Spritz the project with hair spray, or apply a small amount using a detail writer filled with hairspray.

12. Let Dry. Contour fuse using the Spectrum 6 segment firing.