Opening your kiln to find a beautiful piece ruined by a crack is beyond frustrating. The culprit is almost always incompatibility—different glasses expanding and contracting at different rates. This is the exact problem the entire system of bullseye 90 glass products was created to solve. As a truly bullseye compatible 90 glass, every sheet, frit, and stringer is tested to work together perfectly, taking the guesswork out of your art. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about this trusted line of bullseye 90 fusible glass for crack-free results every time.

Key Takeaways

• Stick to a Single Brand for Stress-Free Fusing: This is the most important rule in glass art. To prevent cracks, only use Bullseye 90 COE glass with other Bullseye 90 COE products in a single project. Mixing brands, even with the same COE, creates internal stress that can ruin your work.
• Go Beyond the Sheet Glass: Bullseye’s system is designed for creativity. Use their compatible frit, powders, and stringers to add texture, shading, and fine details to your work, all with the confidence that every element will fuse together flawlessly.
• Set Your Kiln Up for Success: A beautiful result starts before you even turn on the kiln. Always clean your glass thoroughly to prevent cloudiness, use a precise firing schedule for your specific project, and never rush the annealing process to ensure your art is strong and durable.

What is Bullseye 90 COE Glass?

If you’ve spent any time in the world of glass fusing, you’ve definitely heard the name Bullseye. Think of it as the trusted, go-to brand for artists who need reliable and beautiful results. Bullseye 90 COE Glass is a specific type of glass made for fusing in a kiln. The “90 COE” part is incredibly important—it’s the key to making sure your fused pieces come out of the kiln in one solid, stunning piece instead of a cracked mess.

Bullseye Glass is known for its massive range of colors, textures, and forms, from smooth sheets to powdered frit. What makes it so special is its consistency. The company ensures that all their fusible glass products are compatible with one another, so you can mix and match with confidence. However, it’s crucial to remember that this compatibility guarantee doesn’t extend to other brands. For successful fusing, you should always stick to one COE and, ideally, one manufacturer for a single project. This simple rule will save you a lot of potential heartache and wasted materials.

What Does COE Mean for Glass Fusing?

Let’s break down what “COE” actually means without getting too scientific. The Coefficient of Expansion (COE) is simply a measurement of how much glass expands when it gets hot and shrinks when it cools down. Every type of glass has a different COE. When you’re fusing glass, you’re melting different pieces together in a kiln. If you try to fuse two pieces of glass with different COEs, they will expand and shrink at different rates. This creates stress in the glass as it cools, which almost always leads to cracking. That’s why sticking to a single COE, like 90, is the golden rule of glass fusing. You can learn more about the differences between glass types to see why it matters so much.

What Makes Bullseye Glass Stand Out?

Bullseye Glass has earned its stellar reputation for a few key reasons. As a pioneer in producing glass specifically for fusing, they set the standard for quality and reliability. When you buy a sheet of their glass, you know you’re getting a consistent product that will behave predictably in the kiln. This is a huge deal for artists who need to repeat results or create complex designs. Beyond its reliability, Bullseye offers an incredible palette of colors and styles. Whether you need a vibrant transparent, a subtle opal, or a shimmering dichroic, their extensive line of COE90 glass gives you endless creative possibilities. It’s a favorite for both seasoned professionals and artists just starting their fusing journey.

The Story Behind Bullseye Glass

The best products are often created by people trying to solve their own problems, and Bullseye Glass is a perfect example. Its story isn’t about a corporation spotting a market gap; it’s about artists who were frustrated with the materials available to them. They faced the same challenges with incompatible glass that can drive any of us crazy—wasted time, ruined projects, and creative roadblocks. So, they set out to create a solution for themselves. In the process, they ended up building a system that would change glass fusing for everyone. This artist-first approach is still at the heart of the company, which is why the Bullseye name has become so trusted in studios all over the world.

From a Backyard to a Global Brand

It all started in a Portland, Oregon, backyard back in 1974. Three friends and recent art school graduates—Ray Ahlgren, Dan Schwoerer, and Boyce Lundstrom—loved working with glass but were tired of the unpredictable results. At the time, there wasn’t a reliable source for fusible glass, making kilnforming a game of chance. They decided to take matters into their own hands and began developing their own compatible glass. What began as a small-scale project to supply their own studio work quickly caught the attention of other artists who were searching for the same consistency. From those humble beginnings, Bullseye Glass grew into the global brand we know today, driven by a reputation for quality that spread organically through the art community.

A Company of Artists, for Artists

What truly sets Bullseye apart is its commitment to supporting the creative process. They didn’t just make a new kind of glass; they pioneered the entire fusible glass industry by creating a complete, reliable system. Every sheet, stringer, and frit is designed and tested to work together seamlessly. This removes the technical guesswork and frees you up to focus on your design. They understand that when you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues, you have more freedom to experiment and push your creative boundaries. By offering an incredible range of colors and forms, their extensive line of COE90 glass provides all the tools you need to bring your vision to life, all while being backed by a deep understanding of what artists actually need in the studio.

How to Work Safely with Lead and Cadmium Colors

Some of the most beautiful and vibrant glass colors, particularly certain reds, oranges, and yellows, are made using lead or cadmium. While these glasses are perfectly safe for creating decorative art, you need to take extra precautions if you’re making something that will come into contact with food, like a plate or a bowl. The best practice is to “cap” these colors with a layer of clear, food-safe glass. This creates a protective barrier. If you plan on selling your functional glassware, it’s a good idea to have your finished pieces professionally tested to ensure they are food safe. You can always check the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific details on which colors contain these elements.

Discover the Range of Bullseye 90 COE Glass Products

The Foundation: Bullseye Sheet Glass

Think of sheet glass as the foundation of your fused glass art. It’s the canvas you build upon, whether you’re creating a simple suncatcher or a complex, layered panel. As a pioneer in fusible glass, Bullseye offers an incredible spectrum of COE90 glass in countless colors, textures, and opacities. You can find everything from solid opaques and crystal-clear transparents to beautiful streaky and iridescent sheets. This is the glass you’ll use for your base layers, for cutting intricate shapes, and for creating the main body of your work. The consistency of Bullseye sheets means you can rely on them for predictable and beautiful results every time you fire.

Adding Texture with Frit and Powder

If you want to add texture, shading, or painterly details to your work, frit and powder are your best friends. Frit is simply crushed glass that comes in five different sizes: powder, fine, medium, coarse, and extra large. The smallest size, powder, can be sifted to create soft gradients and smooth fields of color, almost like painting. As you move up to coarser grits, you can create more textured, granular effects. You can sprinkle frit into molds to create patterned objects or use it to add depth and dimension on top of sheet glass. Experimenting with different frit sizes is a fantastic way to expand your artistic techniques.

Exploring the Color Palette

One of the best parts of working with Bullseye is the sheer variety of colors at your fingertips. It’s like having an enormous, perfectly organized paint box where every color is guaranteed to work together. The palette goes far beyond simple primary colors, offering a sophisticated spectrum of transparents, opalescents, and streaky sheets. Transparent glass is perfect for projects where you want light to shine through, while opalescent glass provides solid, opaque color. Streaky glass blends two or more colors to create beautiful, organic patterns that can make your piece feel alive. The best way to get a feel for the options is to browse the full range of COE90 glass, where you can find everything from subtle earth tones to vibrant, electric hues, giving you endless creative possibilities.

Creating Detail with Stringers and Rods

For creating lines, outlines, and delicate details, nothing beats stringers and rods. Stringers are thin, spaghetti-like strands of glass, perfect for “drawing” directly onto your glass surface. You can lay them down straight for geometric patterns or gently heat them with a torch to create organic curves before placing them on your piece. Rods are a thicker version, great for building up dimensional elements, creating borders, or even for use in glass blowing and torchwork. Both stringers and rods melt smoothly into your base glass inside the kiln, allowing you to add a level of precision and detail that would be difficult to achieve otherwise.

More Linear Elements: Cane, Vitrigraph, and Wafers

While stringers and rods are fantastic for drawing lines, you can explore even more linear styles with cane, vitrigraph, and wafers. Cane is similar to rods but often features intricate patterns running through its center, adding a layer of complexity to your lines. Vitrigraph consists of wonderfully curly, organic strands of glass pulled from a special kiln, perfect for creating natural elements like vines, hair, or abstract swirls. Then there are wafers—thin, crisp sheets of glass that you can easily break or cut into shards and shapes. They are ideal for adding sharp, geometric details or delicate mosaic-like patterns to your fused glass art. All of these elements are part of the extensive COE90 glass system, so you can add them to your projects without worrying about compatibility.

Unique Additions: Murrine, Frit Balls, and Precut Shapes

Beyond linear elements, you can add personality to your work with unique, ready-made glass components. Murrine, also known as millefiori, are small, decorative glass slices with built-in patterns like flowers, snowflakes, hearts, or even tiny skulls. They’re a fantastic way to add complex imagery without having to build it yourself. Frit balls are another great option, offering small, uniform spheres of color that can create dotted textures or accents. For ultimate convenience, you can use precut glass shapes. These save you time and effort, providing perfect circles, bails for hanging your art, or even festive shapes like Christmas trees. Using these fusible embellishments is a simple way to introduce intricate and consistent details into your designs.

For That Extra Sparkle: Specialty & Dichroic Glass

When you’re ready to add some serious flair to your projects, explore Bullseye’s specialty glass. The most popular is dichroic glass, which has a mesmerizing, metallic shimmer that shifts colors depending on the angle of light. It’s perfect for making jewelry and adding eye-catching accents to your art. Beyond dichroic, you can find other unique textures and finishes. One crucial tip to remember: Bullseye glass is only guaranteed to be compatible with other Bullseye fusible glass. Mixing it with other 90 COE brands can lead to stress fractures and cracked projects, so stick with Bullseye products for a perfect, worry-free fusion.

Why Use Bullseye 90 COE Glass?

When you’re investing your time and creativity into a piece, your materials matter. Bullseye 90 COE glass is a favorite among artists for good reason. It’s not just about the beautiful colors; it’s about reliability, creative freedom, and the confidence that your finished piece will turn out exactly as you planned. Let’s look at what makes Bullseye a trusted name in glass art.

Reliable Quality for Flawless Results

Predictability is essential for any glass artist, and Bullseye Glass delivers with its exceptional quality control. Every sheet is manufactured to meet strict standards, so you can count on consistent thickness, color, and workability from one batch to the next. This reliability is crucial for projects that require precision and repeatable results. It means less time troubleshooting and more time creating. When you work with Bullseye, you’re building your art on a foundation of quality, ensuring your materials won’t stand in the way of your vision. This consistency is why so many artists trust it for their most important work.

A Rainbow of Colors and Textures

One of the most exciting parts of working with Bullseye is the incredible palette at your fingertips. With over 1,150 styles and forms, the creative possibilities are practically endless. Whether you need vibrant transparents, rich opaques, or subtle streaky tones, you’ll find the perfect shade. Beyond sheet glass, Bullseye offers a huge selection of accessory glasses like frit, powder, and stringers. This extensive range allows you to add intricate details, create unique textures, and build complex layers. You can explore the full spectrum of COE90 glass to find the perfect materials to bring your artistic ideas to life.

Why ‘Bullseye Compatible 90 Glass’ is a Game-Changer

If you’ve ever had a project crack in the kiln, you know how crucial compatibility is. Bullseye takes the stress out of fusing by guaranteeing that all their fusible glass products work together seamlessly. This means you can confidently layer different colors and forms of Bullseye glass without worrying about internal stress causing cracks—even days after firing. Fusing incompatible glasses can ruin hours of work, but with Bullseye’s system, that risk is eliminated. This allows you to experiment freely, knowing your materials are designed to work in perfect harmony inside your kiln.

Feel Good About Your Glass: Bullseye’s Sustainability

Choosing your art supplies is also about choosing the companies you support. Bullseye Glass is manufactured in Portland, Oregon, with a strong commitment to responsible and sustainable practices. They are transparent about their processes and actively work to minimize their environmental impact. For many artists, knowing that their materials are made in the USA by a company that values sustainability adds another layer of satisfaction to the creative process. When you buy Bullseye, you’re not just getting world-class glass; you’re also supporting a company that cares about its community and the planet.

How to Choose the Right Bullseye Glass for Your Project

Choosing the right glass is the first step to a successful project. It’s about more than just picking a pretty color; you need to think about how your glass will behave in the kiln. Getting these details right from the start will save you from the frustration of a cracked piece later on. Let’s walk through the key things to consider to ensure your vision comes to life exactly as you planned. By thinking through the type, color, and thickness of your glass, you set yourself up for a beautiful, durable final piece.

Matching Glass to Your Fusing Technique

Compatibility is everything in glass fusing. When you fuse incompatible glasses, you create stress within the piece that can lead to cracks—sometimes hours or even days after it has cooled. The beauty of the Bullseye system is that all their COE90 Glass is tested to work together, taking the guesswork out of the equation. Your main consideration will be how different types of glass, like opaques, transparents, or iridized sheets, interact with your chosen technique. For example, a tack fuse will preserve more surface texture, while a full fuse will blend layers into a smooth, uniform piece.

Select and Layer Colors Like a Pro

Bullseye offers an incredible spectrum of colors, which is a huge part of the fun. When layering, think about how light will pass through your piece. Placing a transparent color over an opaque one can create amazing depth and new hues. It’s also good to know that some colors can have chemical reactions with each other in the kiln, creating unique effects at the interface. Always check the product notes for reactive glass types. If you’re unsure how colors will blend, it’s a great practice to fire a small test tile first. This helps you predict the final result before committing to a larger project.

Pick the Right Thickness for Your Application

Most Bullseye sheet glass comes in a standard 3mm thickness. For many projects, the common practice is to stack two 3mm sheets to create a final piece that is about 6mm thick. This provides stability and a nice, substantial feel for items like coasters, plates, or suncatchers. For more delicate work like jewelry, you might use a single layer or thinner pieces. The final shape of your piece, especially when using molds for slumping or casting, often dictates how thick your glass needs to be to fill the space properly without becoming too thin or bulky.

Ready for the Kiln? A Guide to Firing Bullseye Glass

This is where the magic really happens. You’ve designed, cut, and assembled your piece, and now it’s time for the kiln. The firing process transforms separate glass pieces into a single, unified work of art. It can feel a bit intimidating at first, with all the talk of schedules, ramps, and annealing, but it’s a skill you can absolutely master. Think of it like baking—follow the recipe, understand the ingredients, and you’ll get beautiful results every time. Getting your firing right is the key to creating strong, brilliant, and crack-free glass art that will last a lifetime.

Nailing Your Firing Schedules and Temperatures

A firing schedule is essentially your recipe for success in the kiln. It tells your kiln how fast to heat up, how long to hold at certain temperatures, and how to cool down. Temperature control is crucial in glass fusing, and using the wrong firing schedule is a guaranteed way to destroy your artwork. A schedule for a delicate tack fuse will look very different from one for a full fuse that melts the glass completely smooth. Bullseye Glass provides excellent starter schedules, which are a fantastic resource. As you gain experience, you’ll learn to tweak these schedules based on the size, thickness, and complexity of your project. A reliable kiln that holds temperature accurately is your most important tool here.

Proper Annealing and Cooling for Stronger Glass

Have you ever had a piece come out of the kiln looking perfect, only to find a crack in it a day or even a week later? The culprit is almost always improper annealing. Annealing is a controlled cooling process that helps remove internal stress from the glass. As glass heats and cools, different parts of it can be at slightly different temperatures, creating tension. The annealing phase involves holding your project at a specific temperature (around 900°F for Bullseye) long enough for the entire piece to stabilize. Then, it’s cooled very slowly through the “strain point” to prevent new stress from forming. Rushing this step is a recipe for heartbreak, so always give your glass the time it needs to relax and strengthen.

How to Prevent Devit and Other Firing Issues

“Devit,” short for devitrification, is that frustrating, scummy haze that can form on the surface of your glass during firing. The number one cause? Contaminants. That’s why you should always clean your glass thoroughly before firing to remove dirt, oils, and fingerprints. Even tiny specks of dust can cause issues. Some colors are also more prone to devit if they are held at high temperatures for too long. If you do end up with devit on a flat piece, don’t despair! You can often fix it by sifting a very thin layer of clear powder over the surface and refiring. Paying close attention to cleanliness and your firing schedule will help you keep your Bullseye 90 COE glass looking crystal clear.

How to Prep Bullseye Glass for the Kiln

A little prep work goes a long way in glass fusing. Taking the time to properly prepare your Bullseye glass before it goes into the kiln is one of the most important steps for getting a beautiful, professional-looking result. Think of it as setting your project up for success from the very beginning. Skipping these steps can lead to frustrating issues like cloudiness, unwanted textures, or even cracks that ruin hours of work. Let’s walk through the three key areas of preparation—cleaning, handling, and compatibility testing—to make sure your glass comes out of the kiln looking exactly as you envisioned.

The Right Way to Clean and Prep Your Glass

Think of your glass surface as a pristine canvas. Any smudges, fingerprints, or dust can become a permanent, and often unwanted, part of your finished piece. Oils from your hands are a common culprit and can cause devitrification—a hazy, crystalline scum that forms on the glass surface during firing. To avoid this, always clean your glass thoroughly right before you assemble your project. Use a lint-free cloth and a cleaner specifically designed for glass art. It’s important to avoid standard household cleaners, as they can leave behind chemical residues that interfere with the firing process. Once your glass is sparkling clean, make sure it’s completely dry before it heads into the kiln.

How to Properly Store and Handle Your Glass

Working with glass requires a bit of mindfulness to keep both you and your materials safe. Always handle glass with care to avoid chipping the edges or scratching the surface, which can create weak points. When you’re cutting or grinding, wear safety glasses to protect your eyes and a respirator mask to prevent inhaling fine glass dust. It’s also a good idea to keep a well-stocked first-aid kit in your studio, just in case of any accidental cuts. For storage, keeping your glass sheets in a vertical rack not only prevents scratches but also makes it easier to see your inventory at a glance. Proper handling ensures your glass is in perfect condition when you’re ready to create.

Why You Should Always Test for Compatibility

This is a big one. For a successful fusion, all the glass in your project must be compatible, meaning it expands and contracts at the same rate when heated and cooled. Bullseye guarantees that all their fusible glass is compatible with other Bullseye 90 COE glass. However, this compatibility does not extend to other brands, even if they are also labeled as COE 90. Fusing incompatible glasses creates immense internal stress that will cause your piece to crack—sometimes immediately after cooling, and sometimes hours or even days later. If you’re ever unsure about a piece of glass in your scrap bin, it’s always best to run a small test fire before committing your main project to the kiln.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Bullseye Glass

Working with glass is a beautiful process, but it can also be unforgiving. We’ve all had that moment of opening the kiln with high hopes, only to find a cracked or cloudy piece. While this is part of the learning curve, many common issues are surprisingly easy to prevent. Knowing what to watch out for can save you time, materials, and frustration. Let’s walk through the three biggest mistakes artists make with Bullseye glass and how you can steer clear of them for consistently stunning results.

The Risk of Mixing Different Glass Brands

This is the number one rule in glass fusing: stick to one brand per project. It’s tempting to mix a sheet of Bullseye with another brand, even if they’re both labeled COE 90, but don’t do it. Tiny differences in how each brand’s glass expands and contracts create massive internal stress, leading to cracking. This can happen immediately or weeks later. To protect your art, always use glass that is guaranteed compatible. Bullseye guarantees its fusible COE90 glass is compatible only with other Bullseye fusible glass. It’s a simple rule that prevents unexpected heartbreak.

How to Avoid Common Firing and Temperature Mistakes

Your kiln is where the magic happens, but the wrong firing schedule can quickly ruin a project. Temperature control is everything. Firing too cool results in an incomplete fuse, while firing too hot or fast can cause bubbles and thermal shock. Every project requires a specific schedule of heating and cooling. Always follow the recommended firing schedules for Bullseye glass. Having reliable, programmable kilns makes it much easier to control every stage of the process. Programming the right schedule is a critical step for achieving clean, strong, and beautiful fused glass.

Why Skipping Compatibility Tests is a Bad Idea

Even when using only Bullseye glass, it’s wise to run a compatibility test, especially for a large piece. Think of it as an insurance policy against unexpected reactions in the kiln. A simple test involves fusing small, stacked squares of the glasses you plan to use. After firing, check the test piece for any signs of stress. This step is crucial because not all Bullseye glass is fusible. The brand also produces beautiful stained glass not formulated for the kiln. Accidentally mixing them will ruin your project. A quick test gives you confidence before you commit your materials.

What Can You Make with Bullseye 90 COE Glass?

Once you start working with Bullseye glass, you’ll find that the creative possibilities are nearly endless. Its reliability and vast range of colors and forms—from smooth sheets to powdery frit—make it a fantastic medium for artists at every level. Whether you’re just starting with a small tabletop kiln or working on a large-scale architectural piece, Bullseye provides the consistency you need to bring your vision to life. The beauty of the Bullseye system is that every product is designed and tested to work together. This guaranteed compatibility means you can spend less time worrying about technical issues and more time exploring your creativity.

You can layer different colors, combine textures, and experiment with various forms, all with the confidence that your final piece will be strong and stable. From delicate jewelry that catches the light to sturdy, functional glassware you can use every day, this glass is incredibly versatile. It’s a medium that encourages experimentation. You can create painterly effects with powders, sharp linear designs with stringers, or dazzling depth with dichroic glass. The projects below are just a starting point—let them serve as inspiration for your own unique creations.

Create Stunning Fused Glass Jewelry

Bullseye glass is perfect for creating stunning, one-of-a-kind jewelry. The vibrant color palette and specialty options like iridescent and dichroic glass allow you to design beautiful pendants, earrings, rings, and cufflinks. Because these pieces are small, they’re a great way to use up scraps from larger projects.

The key to durable glass jewelry is compatibility. Fusing incompatible glasses together will create stress in the final piece, leading to cracks—sometimes hours or even days after it comes out of the kiln. By sticking exclusively with Bullseye 90 COE products, you can confidently layer colors and textures, knowing your finished piece will be beautiful and structurally sound for years to come.

Design Unique Home Decor and Glassware

Bring your artistic touch into every room by creating custom home decor and functional glassware. With Bullseye glass, you can design and fuse everything from colorful coasters and decorative tiles to elegant serving platters and shallow bowls. Using molds, you can slump your fused glass designs into specific shapes, opening up a world of possibilities for custom tableware that perfectly matches your style.

Creating these pieces requires careful attention to your firing process. Temperature control is crucial in glass fusing, and using the wrong firing schedule can unfortunately destroy your artwork. Insufficient heat won’t properly fuse the glass, while too much can cause unwanted bubbles or loss of detail. With a little practice, you’ll learn the right schedules for creating durable, food-safe art.

Build Sculptural and Artistic Glass Pieces

For artists looking to make a statement, Bullseye glass is an exceptional medium for sculptural and artistic works. Its reliability allows you to build complex, multi-layered pieces, from intricate wall panels to freestanding sculptures. Because the entire Bullseye system is tested for compatibility, you have the freedom to combine different forms of glass—like sheet, frit, and stringers—to achieve incredible depth, texture, and detail in your work.

This tested compatibility is what makes Bullseye’s COE90 glass a trusted choice for ambitious projects. You can focus on your artistic expression without the technical anxiety that comes from mixing materials. Whether you’re creating abstract forms or detailed figurative work, you can depend on the glass to behave predictably in the kiln, allowing your creative vision to take center stage.

Where to Buy Bullseye 90 COE Glass

Once you’re ready to start a project, finding a reliable source for your glass is the next big step. The right supplier does more than just sell you materials; they provide the quality, consistency, and support you need to bring your creative ideas to life without a hitch. It’s about building a relationship with a partner who understands your craft and is invested in your success. Let’s walk through what makes a great supplier and how you can get the best value for your art.

Why Choose ArtGlassSupplies.com?

We know that having a great selection is just the beginning. That’s why we offer a huge inventory of COE90 Glass from Bullseye, covering everything from sheet glass and frit to stringers and dichroic styles. But more than that, we’re a team of artists and experts who are passionate about glass. We’re here to share tips on choosing, using, and storing your glass to ensure every project is a success. Think of us as your creative partner, providing the trusted materials and know-how you need for fusing, stained glass, and any other project you can dream up.

What to Look for in a Glass Supplier

When you’re choosing a supplier, the most important factor is compatibility. Fusing glasses with different COEs will create stress in your finished piece, leading to cracks—sometimes hours or even days after it comes out of the kiln. A trustworthy supplier ensures that all their glass within a specific line, like Bullseye 90 COE, is compatible. Look for a supplier with a deep understanding of their products, a well-organized inventory, and a commitment to quality control. This guarantees that the beautiful stained glass you buy today will work perfectly with the glass you buy months from now.

How to Get the Best Value on Your Glass

Getting the best value isn’t just about finding the lowest price. True value comes from a supplier who helps you avoid costly mistakes. Ruining a piece in the kiln because of an incorrect firing schedule is a frustrating and expensive setback. A great supplier provides not only high-quality glass but also the guidance you need to use it correctly. Look for resources like firing schedules, project tutorials, and expert advice. Investing in glass from a knowledgeable source that also sells essential tools like kilns and molds means you’re getting a partner dedicated to helping you create beautiful, lasting art.

Working with Scrap and Confetti Glass

Don’t overlook the creative power of scrap and confetti glass. These aren’t just leftovers; they’re opportunities to add incredible texture and detail to your work. Confetti glass consists of tiny, paper-thin flakes of color that can be layered to create watercolor-like effects, while scrap glass offers small, irregular pieces perfect for mosaic designs or filling small gaps. The best part? Because it’s all part of the Bullseye system, every tiny piece is fully compatible with your COE90 sheet glass and frits. You can mix and match with total confidence, knowing that these smaller elements will fuse beautifully without introducing stress into your project. It’s a fun, economical way to expand your artistic palette.

Shopping for Discontinued Glass

It can be heartbreaking when a manufacturer discontinues your favorite color. As a leader in the industry, Bullseye is always innovating, which sometimes means retiring certain styles to make way for new ones. If you find a color you absolutely love, it’s a good practice to stock up on it. When a color is discontinued, suppliers like us often have the last remaining inventory. It’s always worth checking our selection or reaching out to see if we have any hidden gems in our warehouse. Finding these rare sheets can feel like a treasure hunt, and it’s a great way to ensure your work features unique colors that are no longer in production.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it so important to only use Bullseye glass with other Bullseye glass? Think of it like a recipe where the ingredients have to be chemically perfect. Even if another brand is labeled “90 COE,” tiny manufacturing differences can cause the glass to expand and contract at slightly different rates in the kiln. This creates immense internal stress that will eventually cause your beautiful piece to crack, sometimes even days after it has cooled. Sticking with one trusted system like Bullseye eliminates that risk entirely.

I’m making a plate. Is Bullseye glass food-safe? Many Bullseye colors are perfectly fine for functional tableware. However, some of the most vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows contain lead or cadmium. To be safe, the best practice is to cap these specific colors with a layer of clear, food-safe glass. This creates a durable, non-reactive surface. You can always check the manufacturer’s notes for specific colors if you have any concerns.

My last project cracked days after I took it out of the kiln. What went wrong? Delayed cracking is almost always caused by one of two things: incompatible glass or improper annealing. First, double-check that a scrap piece from another brand didn’t accidentally make its way into your project. If you’re certain all the glass was Bullseye, then the issue was likely the cooling schedule. The annealing phase needs to be slow and steady to let the internal stress relax. Rushing the cooling process is a guaranteed way to end up with a fractured piece.

What’s the practical difference between sheet glass, frit, and stringers? Sheet glass is your foundation—it’s the canvas you build your design on. Frit is crushed glass, almost like colored sugar, that you can sprinkle on top to create texture, shading, and painterly effects. Stringers are thin, spaghetti-like rods of glass that you use to “draw” fine lines and create delicate details in your work. All three are designed to melt together seamlessly.

Besides mixing brands, what’s another common mistake I should avoid? Forgetting to thoroughly clean your glass before firing is a huge one. Oils from your fingerprints, dust, or residue from a marker can cause a cloudy, scummy surface to form in the kiln called devitrification. Always give your glass a good wipe-down with a dedicated glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth right before you assemble it. This simple step makes a massive difference in the clarity and brilliance of your final piece.