"Reverse Etched" Dichroic Pendant Instructions

If you use stickers, masking tape and/or Sharpee Marker as a resist against an etching cream a pattern can be etched into dichroic glass to form a unique one of a kind pendant.

Dichroic glass is sold in a wide range of colors, textures, COE's. For this project, it is best to use dichroic glass that is either a solid color or a fading rainbow shade on thin black. The COE of the dichroic glass must be the same COE as the clear glass fused onto the dichroic glass as a cap.

 Using a glass scoring tool and running tool, score and break the dichroic glass to the desired shape and size. A typical pendant could be 2” long and 1” wide. Score and break thin clear glass 1/8” longer and 1/8” wider then the dichroic piece. Use alcohol to clean both pieces of glass.  

Select a sticker or masking tape to create a design. Patterned scissors can be used to cut fun patterns on the edge of the masking tape. Place the sticker and or masking tape on to the cut dichroic glass. Make sure that the sticker and or masking tape is securely attached to the glass. A Sharpee pen can be used to create a pattern on the dichroic glass or to add elements to a sticker pattern. Simply draw the desired pattern with the Sharpee pen making sure that all of the desired area is completely covered with ink. Remember that the area beneath the ink, sticker or tape is going to be the area that will remain dichroic glass. The rest of the glass will be exposed to etching cream which will dissolve the dichroic surface of the glass leaving exposed black glass.  

Using a brush and wearing gloves, apply the etching cream to the top of  dichroic piece and over the tape and sticker. Rinse the brush thoroughly.  

Allow the cream to work on the glass for 5 minutes. Rinse the cream from the glass. Remove the stickers and/or tape to reveal the dichroic pattern now on the glass. Clean and dry both the dichroic glass and the clear glass.

Place the clear piece of glass on to the dichroic glass. Center the clear cap.  

Place the glass on to shelf paper on a kiln shelf or tile.  

Fire the kiln according to the following firing schedule: 

Segment 1- heat the kiln at a rate of 500 degrees F /Hour to the temperature of 1100 degrees F. – hold 10 min

Segment 2 – heat the kiln as fast as possible to the temperature of 1470 degrees F – hold 10 min or until completely fused

Segment 3 – cool the kiln as fast as possible to the temperature of 960 and hold 30 minutes

 Allow the kiln to cool naturally. Apply a bail to the top of the pendant using clear silicone or E6000.

A project kit (PENKIT) is available featuring 8 pre-cut 1" x 2" pieces of COE 96 dichroic glass, matching pre-cut 1.1" x 2.1" pieces of COE 96 clear glass, large silver plated bails and pre-cut 1.5" x 2.5" pieces of Thin Fire paper. Materials and instructions for 8 gorgeous custom pendants! $45.00