One of the biggest concerns I hear from beginners (and even some seasoned artists!) is the fear of wasting money, materials, or time when diving into fused glass. I get it—glass isn’t cheap, and no one wants to spend hours on a piece only to end up with something that doesn’t turn out the way they imagined. But here’s the thing: waste doesn’t have to be part of your fused glass journey. With a little guidance, you can minimize mistakes, stretch your materials, and feel confident about your time and financial investments. Let’s tackle these concerns head-on, so you can create art you love without second-guessing every decision.
1. Plan Before You Cut
One of the easiest ways to avoid wasting materials is to plan your project ahead of time. Before you touch your cutter, sketch out your design and think about the dimensions. This doesn’t have to be a masterpiece—just a rough idea of shapes and layers.
If you’re unsure about how a design might come together, start small. A mini project (like a pendant or coaster) can be a great way to test your ideas without committing to a large amount of glass.
2. Use Scrap Glass Creatively
Don’t throw away those small offcuts! Scrap glass can be turned into beautiful accents, mini projects, or test pieces. In fact, much of my jewelry is made with tiny pieces of glass that I’ve carefully layered together to create my designs.
Pro tip: Keep your scraps organized by color or size so you can quickly find what you need for your next idea.
3. Invest in Learning the Basics
This is a big one. A lot of frustration and wasted materials happen because you’re experimenting without a solid understanding of the basics. Learning about glass compatibility, kiln schedules, and cutting techniques will save you so much trial and error.
4. Test Before You Commit
If you’re working with a new piece of glass or trying a new technique, it’s a good idea to do a test first. Make a small sample piece to see how the glass behaves in the kiln. This step might seem time-consuming, but it’s far better to spend a little time testing than to ruin a full project because something didn’t melt the way you expected.
5. Start with a Budget-Friendly Setup
You don’t need the fanciest tools and materials to create beautiful fused glass pieces. Start with a basic setup and build your collection over time.
For example, you can:
• Use a small tabletop kiln instead of investing in a larger one right away. Or you could rent kiln time or possibly find a used kiln on Craigslist or FB Marketplace
• Buy starter packs of compatible glass instead of full sheets.
• Look for gently used tools or materials from local artists or online groups.
6. View Mistakes as Opportunities
This might sound counterintuitive, but mistakes aren’t always waste. Sometimes, a piece that doesn’t turn out as planned can lead to an unexpected new design. A wonky edge? Trim it down or turn it into something smaller. Bubbles in your piece? Embrace them as part of the design.
Every piece you make—perfect or imperfect—is part of your growth as an artist.
7. Set Realistic Goals for Your Time
When you’re new to fused glass, it’s easy to overestimate how quickly you can complete a project. Allow yourself extra time to experiment, troubleshoot, and learn. This will help you avoid rushing, which can lead to mistakes (and wasted materials).
Remember: the goal isn’t speed—it’s creating something you’re proud of.
Final Thoughts
I want to assure you that you’re not alone in worrying about waste—it’s a natural concern when starting something new. But with the right mindset, tools, and guidance, you can minimize those worries and focus on what really matters: the joy of creating.
Your fused glass journey doesn’t have to be perfect, and it won’t be. But that’s part of the beauty and the excitement of trying something new. Every piece you create, and every lesson you learn will bring you closer to the artist you want to be.
Let’s make something beautiful together!
— Lindsay