There’s nothing more heartbreaking than opening your kiln to find a beautiful project ruined by a stress crack. That frustrating moment almost always comes down to one thing: incompatible glass. It’s the exact problem the founders of Bullseye glass set out to solve. They created a rigorously tested system of COE90 glass, giving artists a material they can count on, firing after firing. But what is Bullseye glass used for beyond just preventing cracks? Its incredible consistency makes it ideal for complex kilnforming, slumping, and even traditional stained glass, giving you the freedom to focus on your art.

Key Takeaways

• Stick to a Single COE: Bullseye Glass is a tested COE90 system, meaning all its products are designed to fuse together perfectly. Mixing COEs will cause stress cracks, so always ensure every piece of glass in your kilnforming project, from sheets to frit, is compatible.
• Test Your Colors Before Committing: Bullseye is known for its quality, but some colors, called “strikers,” only reveal their true hue after firing. Always fire a small test piece of a new color to avoid surprises and ensure it fits your creative vision.
• Work Clean and Ventilate Well: Prevent surface flaws by thoroughly cleaning your glass before firing, and always work in a well-ventilated space to avoid inhaling glass dust. For food-safe pieces, remember to cap any lead or cadmium-based colors with a layer of clear glass.

What Is Bullseye Glass?

If you’ve spent any time in the world of kilnforming or stained glass, you’ve almost certainly heard of Bullseye Glass. It’s a favorite among artists for good reason, known for its quality, consistency, and vibrant color palette. But what exactly makes it the go-to choice for so many creators, and why is its compatibility system so important? Let’s break down what you need to know before starting your next project.

What Makes Bullseye Glass So Special?

At its core, Bullseye Glass is a type of soda-lime glass specifically formulated for artists. Unlike the glass in your windows, it’s designed to be melted, fused, and reshaped in a kiln. One of the things that makes it so special is that every sheet is made by hand. This hands-on process means you might notice slight variations from one sheet to the next, which adds a unique, artisanal character to your work. Most Bullseye glass comes in two standard thicknesses: a versatile 3 mm sheet and a more delicate 2 mm option, giving you flexibility for layering and creating intricate designs.

Understanding the COE90 Compatibility System

The secret to Bullseye’s success lies in its compatibility, which is all about its COE, or Coefficient of Expansion. Think of COE as the rate at which glass expands when heated and shrinks when cooled. For pieces to fuse together without cracking, all the glass in your project needs to move at the same rate. Bullseye Glass is a tested system of COE90 glass, meaning every sheet is guaranteed to be compatible with every other piece of Bullseye glass. This reliability holds true for up to three full firings. While other brands might also be labeled ‘COE90,’ it’s best to stick with one manufacturer for a project, as even tiny differences can cause stress and breakage.

A Brief History of Bullseye Glass

Every great brand has a story, and Bullseye’s is one of innovation, resourcefulness, and a deep commitment to the art glass community. From a small workshop in Portland to a global leader, their journey is as colorful as the glass they create. Understanding their history gives you an even greater appreciation for the quality and consistency that goes into every sheet of glass you use for your projects. It’s a story that shows how a clear vision—to make reliable glass for artists—can build an industry standard from the ground up, shaping the world of kilnforming for decades to come.

The Origin of the “Bullseye” Name

The story of Bullseye Glass begins in 1974 in Portland, Oregon. Founded by a trio of artists—Dan Schwoerer, Boyce Lundstrom, and Ray Ahlgren—the company was born from a desire to solve a common problem for glass artists: finding compatible glass that wouldn’t crack in the kiln. They set out to create a reliable system of fusible glass, and the name “Bullseye” perfectly captures that mission. It reflects their goal of hitting the mark on quality and consistency, giving artists a product they could trust every single time. This focus on creating a dependable, “on-target” material is what set them on the path to becoming a household name in the glass art world.

From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader

Bullseye Glass started with a true DIY spirit. The founders built their factory using recycled bottle glass and scraps from a local shipyard, showing incredible resourcefulness from day one. This hands-on approach paid off, and their reputation for producing incredibly consistent glass grew quickly. Soon, they became a leading supplier for artists working with fused glass, providing the reliable COE90 glass that is now a staple in studios everywhere. Like many long-standing companies, they faced challenges along the way. In 2016, after emissions of heavy metals were discovered near their factory, Bullseye voluntarily stopped using certain materials and invested in a state-of-the-art air filtration system. This move demonstrated their commitment to safety and environmental responsibility, securing their place as a trusted and forward-thinking leader in the industry.

What Sets Bullseye Glass Apart?

When you’re investing time and materials into a piece, you want glass you can count on. Bullseye Glass has earned its reputation among artists for a few key reasons that make it a studio staple. It’s not just about the beautiful colors; it’s about how that glass performs from the moment you cut it to its final form after firing. The brand stands out for its unwavering commitment to quality, its predictable behavior in the kiln, and a color palette that gives you endless creative freedom.

Count On Consistent Colors and Pro-Level Quality

Consistency is everything in glass art, and this is where Bullseye truly shines. The company is known for its rigorous testing, ensuring every sheet of COE90 glass is compatible. To guarantee this, they fire their glass to 1500°F, sometimes multiple times, to make sure it fuses beautifully without causing stress fractures. This professional-grade quality means you can spend less time worrying about technical problems and more time focusing on your creative vision. When you pick up a piece of Bullseye, you can trust that it will perform predictably, firing after firing.

Understanding Bullseye Glass Grades

To help you pick the perfect sheet for your project, Bullseye sorts its glass into different grades. Each grade tells you exactly what the glass is designed for, whether you’re firing it in a kiln or cutting it for a stained glass panel. Understanding this system is one of the most important steps in preventing frustrating mistakes down the line. It’s the difference between a successful firing and a cracked piece. This simple classification ensures you’re always working with the right material for your specific artistic goals, taking the guesswork out of selecting glass so you can focus on the creative part of your work.

Fusible (F-Grade) for Kilnwork

If your project is destined for the kiln, you need Fusible grade, or F-Grade, glass. This is Bullseye’s top-tier glass, rigorously tested to ensure both its color and fusing compatibility are perfect. It’s the material that upholds the brand’s promise of a reliable COE90 system. Whether you’re layering colors for a complex fused piece, slumping glass into molds, or even flameworking, F-Grade is your go-to. Choosing this grade gives you the confidence that your glass will behave exactly as expected during firing, preventing the stress cracks that can come from using incompatible materials. It’s the standard for any kind of kilnforming.

Standard (P-Grade) for Stained Glass

Sometimes you fall in love with a Bullseye color but don’t need to fuse it. That’s where Standard grade, or P-Grade, comes in. This glass is tested for its beautiful color consistency, but it is *not* tested for fusing compatibility. You should never use P-Grade glass in a kiln, as it’s not guaranteed to be compatible with other sheets. Instead, it’s the perfect choice for traditional cold-working techniques. Think of it as your ideal material for creating stunning stained glass panels, mosaics, or any other project where the glass won’t be heated. It allows you to access Bullseye’s incredible color palette for non-fused applications.

Curious (B/C-Grade) for Experiments

Every artist loves a good deal, and that’s what the Curious grade offers. This is Bullseye glass that has minor flaws—perhaps the color is slightly off from the standard, or it has some surface imperfections. Because of this, it’s sold at a discount. It’s important to check the specific type; Fusible-Curious (B-Grade) is still tested and compatible for kilnwork, making it a fantastic, budget-friendly option for fusing. Other Curious glass (C-Grade) is not. This grade is perfect for experimenting with new techniques, testing designs, or for projects where a little bit of unpredictability adds to the charm. It’s a great way to build your skills without the pressure of using premium materials.

What to Expect When You Fire Bullseye Glass

Glass is a dynamic material, and Bullseye is no exception. One of its most interesting characteristics is how certain colors react to heat. Some shades are “strikers,” meaning their color changes or deepens after being fired in a kiln. A pale amber might transform into a rich red, for example. This isn’t a defect—it’s part of the glass chemistry. Because of this, it’s always a great practice to test-fire a small piece of a new color to see its final form, especially if your project involves multiple firings.

The 6-Millimeter Rule Explained

Beyond color changes, understanding how glass behaves physically in the kiln is crucial. This brings us to a fundamental guideline in glass fusing: the 6-millimeter rule. In simple terms, when glass is heated to a full fuse temperature, it naturally wants to flow and settle at a thickness of about 6 mm, or roughly a quarter of an inch. This is why you’ll often see projects built with two layers of standard 3 mm glass—stacking them gives you the perfect starting point. Adhering to this rule helps the glass fuse smoothly and evenly, preventing issues like unwanted bubbles or distorted edges. It’s especially important when creating flat pieces like tiles or plates, where you might use dams or molds to contain the glass as it settles into its final, stable thickness.

Explore a Rainbow of Color Options

If you can dream up a color, Bullseye probably has it. The brand offers one of the most extensive color palettes in the industry, giving artists incredible flexibility. Beyond a massive range of sheet glass, their colors are available in various forms like frit, stringers, and rods, allowing you to add texture and fine detail. They also produce different sheet styles, such as thin-rolled sheets and shimmering iridized coatings. Bullseye regularly releases new colors, so your creative toolkit can keep expanding. This vast selection means you’ll never feel limited when bringing your ideas to life.

Creative Ways to Use Bullseye Glass in Your Kiln

Kilnforming is where the magic really happens. It’s the broad term for shaping glass in a kiln, and Bullseye’s reliable and consistent nature makes it a favorite for artists who work with heat. Because you know how it will behave, you can plan your projects with confidence, whether you’re making a simple dish or a complex sculpture. The vibrant color palette and professional quality of Bullseye glass truly shine when subjected to the heat of a kiln, allowing for endless creative possibilities. Let’s look at the three most popular kilnforming techniques you can explore with Bullseye glass.

Fusing: How to Melt Glass Layers Together

Fusing is the art of joining two or more pieces of glass by melting them together in a kiln. Think of it as creating a collage with glass. You can layer different colors and shapes of COE90 glass to produce intricate patterns, vibrant scenes, or beautiful abstract designs. Once heated to the right temperature, the separate pieces flow together and become a single, solid masterpiece. Because Bullseye glass is so consistent, you can trust that your colors will meld beautifully without unexpected reactions, giving you a smooth, professional finish every time. This makes it the perfect medium for everything from jewelry pendants to large-scale wall art.

Defining Tack Fusing and Full Fusing

When we talk about fusing, it’s not just one process. The temperature you use in your kiln determines the final look, leading to two main outcomes: tack fusing and full fusing. Tack fusing happens at a lower temperature, just hot enough for the glass pieces to stick together securely while keeping their individual shapes and textures. Think of it like creating a 3D collage where you can still see the edges of each piece. On the other hand, full fusing takes the heat up a notch. At these higher temperatures, the glass melts completely, flowing together until all the separate pieces become one smooth, flat surface. This is the technique you’ll use when you want a seamless, polished look, like for coasters or the base of a slumped plate.

Slumping and Draping: Use Molds to Shape Your Glass

Once you have a fused piece of glass, you can give it shape and function through slumping or draping. Slumping involves placing your flat glass project over a form and heating it just enough for gravity to pull it down into the shape of the mold. This method is perfect for creating functional pieces like bowls, platters, and shallow dishes using ceramic or stainless steel molds. Draping is a similar process, but instead of slumping into a mold, the glass is laid over an object and allowed to melt around it, creating more fluid, organic forms like a vase or a flowing sculpture. Both techniques rely on the glass becoming soft and pliable without fully melting.

Best Practice: Fuse First, Then Slump

It might be tempting to save time by trying to fuse and slump your project in a single firing, but this is one shortcut you’ll want to avoid. For the best results, always fuse your glass layers into a solid, flat piece first. Once it has completely cooled, you can place it on or in a mold for a second, separate slumping fire in your kiln. Attempting to do both at once often leads to frustrating issues like distorted shapes, trapped air bubbles, or the glass sticking to your mold. By separating the steps, you give the glass a chance to properly combine before you ask it to take on a new form, ensuring a clean, professional finish that honors your design.

Kiln Casting: How to Create Solid Glass Forms

If you want to create solid, three-dimensional glass objects, kiln casting is the technique for you. This process involves melting glass until it becomes liquid enough to flow and fill a mold completely. You can use a pre-made mold or create your own to produce everything from detailed sculptures to custom architectural elements. Kiln casting allows you to achieve incredible texture and depth that you can’t get with other methods. It requires precise temperature control from your kiln and a glass that flows predictably, which is why so many artists turn to Bullseye for their casting projects. The result is a solid, sculptural piece of art with stunning clarity and detail.

How to Prevent “Suckers” in Casting

One of the most common frustrations in kiln casting is discovering “suckers”—unwanted depressions or wrinkles on the surface of your finished piece. This happens when the glass cools unevenly; the outside hardens while the inside is still molten, causing the surface to collapse inward. The key to preventing this is controlling your cooling process. By programming your kiln to hold, or “soak,” at a uniform temperature (around 1250°F) during the initial cooling phase, you give the entire piece a chance to stabilize. Another effective technique is to design your mold with a “reservoir”—a larger, thicker area of glass that stays molten longer and feeds the rest of the casting as it shrinks. This ensures a smooth, flawless surface every time.

Beyond the Kiln: Using Bullseye for Stained Glass and Mosaics

While Bullseye is famous for its performance in the kiln, its exceptional quality makes it a fantastic choice for traditional glass art, too. The same consistency and vibrant color palette that fusers love also translate beautifully to stained glass and mosaic projects. Whether you’re working with lead came, copper foil, or creating a detailed mosaic, Bullseye glass offers the reliability and visual appeal you need to bring your designs to life. Its smooth surface and predictable workability make it a go-to for artists who want professional results, no matter the technique.

How to Create Classic Leaded Glass Panels

If you’re building traditional leaded glass panels, you know that consistency is key. Bullseye glass cuts cleanly and handles well, making it a reliable material for your stained glass projects. Because it’s been hand-cast in Portland, Oregon, since 1974, it has a long-standing reputation for quality. The sheets have a uniform thickness that fits neatly into lead came, and the smooth surface is perfect for achieving a polished, professional look. The extensive color selection also means you can find the perfect hue for any design, from simple suncatchers to large architectural installations, without worrying about variations from sheet to sheet.

Why It Works for the Copper Foil Method

The copper foil method allows for more intricate and detailed designs, and Bullseye glass is perfectly suited for the task. It breaks cleanly, giving you smooth edges that are easy to wrap with copper foil for a tight, secure fit. This workability is essential when you’re cutting complex curves and small, detailed pieces for things like Tiffany-style lampshades or detailed window panels. While it’s known in the fusing world as a premier COE90 glass, its fundamental properties as a high-quality art glass are what make it so dependable for cold-working techniques like this one.

Tips for Cutting and Shaping Glass for Mosaics

For mosaic artists, Bullseye glass is a treasure trove of color and texture. Its vibrant, saturated colors can make a design pop, and its excellent cutting properties allow you to create precise shapes, or tesserae, with ease. You can use a single sheet of iridescent glass, for example, to create a shimmering effect simply by cutting it into squares and rearranging the pieces. The glass is durable enough to be nipped and shaped without crumbling, giving you clean lines for detailed patterns. By combining different colors, opacities, and finishes, you can add incredible depth and dimension to your mosaic artwork.

Why Choose Bullseye Glass for Your Art?

When you pour your heart into a glass art project, the last thing you want is for it to crack in the kiln. Choosing the right glass is a critical decision, and for many artists, Bullseye is the clear winner. It’s a brand built on consistency, quality, and a deep understanding of what artists need to bring their visions to life. Bullseye provides a reliable foundation that lets your creativity shine, giving you the confidence to experiment, knowing your materials are up to the task.

Get Predictable Results, Every Firing

There’s nothing more frustrating than opening the kiln to find your masterpiece ruined by incompatibility stress. Bullseye takes that worry off the table. Their glass is famously reliable and tested to be compatible, which is why it’s the industry standard for COE90 glass. This means you can confidently mix and match any Bullseye colors, knowing they will expand and contract at the same rate. Bullseye even guarantees its glass will remain compatible through three full fuse firings up to 1500°F. This predictability frees you up to focus on your design instead of stressing about potential cracks.

Work with Professional-Grade Quality

You can feel the quality of Bullseye glass the moment you start working with it. It cuts cleanly and has a consistency that speaks to the company’s meticulous manufacturing process. Bullseye is so committed to quality that they test every tenth sheet for compatibility before it leaves their factory. This rigorous standard ensures that every piece of

Rely on Glass That Withstands Multiple Firings

Many kilnforming techniques require multiple trips to the kiln, and Bullseye glass is designed to handle the heat. While its compatibility is stable, its colors can be wonderfully dynamic. Some colors are “strikers,” meaning their true hue is only revealed after being fired to the correct temperature. This isn’t a defect—it’s a magical part of the process you can learn to control. It’s always a good idea to run a small test fire to see how a color will look. This ability to withstand repeated firings in a kiln makes it perfect for intricate projects involving layering and slumping.

Troubleshooting Common Bullseye Glass Issues

Working with glass is a beautiful process, but it’s not without its learning curves. Even the most experienced artists encounter a few hiccups now and then. The good news is that most common issues with Bullseye glass are easy to understand and prevent once you know what to look for. From surprising color changes to surface blemishes, let’s walk through a few challenges you might face and the simple steps you can take to get the beautiful, consistent results you’re aiming for in your work.

How to Manage ‘Striking’ and Color Shifts

Have you ever opened your kiln expecting one color, only to find something completely different? You’ve likely encountered a “striking” glass. Some types of Bullseye glass appear pale or even colorless at room temperature and only reveal their true, vibrant hue after being fired. This isn’t a defect—it’s a unique chemical property of the glass. Bullseye marks these sheets with a special symbol so you know what to expect. To avoid surprises in a large project, it’s always a great idea to fire a small test piece first. This lets you see the final color and incorporate it into your design with confidence.

The Importance of Sticking to COE90

This is the golden rule of glass fusing: never mix your COEs. COE, or the coefficient of expansion, measures how much glass expands and contracts when heated and cooled. Bullseye glass is a COE90 glass, and it’s crucial to only fuse it with other COE90-compatible materials. If you mix COEs (like fusing a COE96 glass with Bullseye), the pieces will cool at different rates, causing stress, cracks, and a ruined project. To ensure your work is strong and stable, make sure every component—from the sheet glass to the frit and stringers—is COE90. Bullseye guarantees compatibility, giving you reliable results you can trust.

A Note on Mixing COE90 Glass Brands

It’s a common question we hear: “Can I mix Bullseye glass with another brand of COE90 glass?” While it seems logical that they should work together, it’s a risk we don’t recommend taking. Think of the “90” in COE90 as a target, not an exact number that is consistent across different factories. Each manufacturer has its own formula and testing process. Bullseye guarantees that all of its COE90 glass products are compatible with each other, but they can’t guarantee compatibility with another company’s glass. Even a tiny, fractional difference in the expansion rate can introduce stress into your piece, leading to cracks hours, days, or even weeks after firing. To protect your hard work, it’s always safest to stick with one brand for a single fusing project.

How to Prevent Devitrification (aka ‘Kiln Scum’)

Devitrification, or “devit,” is that frustrating, scummy haze that can sometimes appear on the surface of your glass after firing. It’s caused by crystallization that happens when contaminants like dust, oils from your fingerprints, or residue are left on the glass surface. The best way to prevent it is simple: clean your glass thoroughly before it goes into the kiln. Use a dedicated glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth, and avoid household products containing ammonia or detergents, as they can leave a film. A clean surface is the key to achieving that perfectly smooth, glossy finish on every piece.

Properly Cleaning Your Glass to Avoid Haze

Getting that perfect, glossy finish starts with a spotless surface. The best defense against devitrification is a simple, thorough cleaning routine before your glass ever enters the kiln. Start with a high-quality glass cleaner formulated for art glass—it’s important to avoid standard household window cleaners, as many contain ammonia or other additives that can leave behind a residue and actually cause surface issues. Spray the cleaner onto a lint-free cloth, not directly onto the glass, to control the amount you use. Wipe down both sides of the glass carefully, paying special attention to the edges. Once it’s clean, handle the glass only by its edges to prevent transferring oils from your fingers back onto the surface. This small step makes a huge difference in achieving a professional, crystal-clear result.

What Tools Do You Need for Bullseye Glass?

Once you’ve chosen your beautiful sheets of Bullseye glass, the next step is gathering the right tools and supplies to bring your vision to life. Having a well-equipped studio not only makes the creative process smoother but also ensures your safety and the quality of your finished work. Think of these items as your creative partners—they’ll help you cut, shape, and fire your glass with confidence. Whether you’re setting up a new workspace or just looking to fill some gaps in your collection, here’s a breakdown of the essential gear you’ll need for your next Bullseye glass project.

Must-Have Cutting Tools and Safety Gear

Clean cuts are the foundation of any great glass piece. At a minimum, you’ll need a quality glass cutter, running pliers for snapping long scores, and breaking-grozing pliers for nipping away smaller pieces. A good straightedge and cutting mat will help you achieve precise lines and protect your work surface. Most importantly, never work with glass without proper safety gear. Safety glasses are an absolute must to protect your eyes from tiny shards. It’s also wise to wear closed-toe shoes and consider gloves to prevent cuts. Before you start, always read the instructions for any new equipment you purchase to ensure you’re using it correctly and safely.

What You Need to Know About Kilns and Firing

If you’re kilnforming, your kiln is the heart of your studio. The key is having a kiln with a programmable digital controller, which gives you the precise temperature control needed for glass. You can even use a ceramic kiln for glass if it can be programmed for the slow ramps and long holds that glass requires. When it comes to firing, there’s no single ‘right’ temperature or time for fusing or slumping. The perfect schedule depends on your specific project—its size, thickness, and the effect you want. Learning the basics of how glass reacts to heat is part of the artistic journey. Keeping a detailed log of your kiln firings is a great habit to develop.

The Critical Role of Annealing

Think of annealing as the final, crucial deep breath your glass takes before it’s ready for the world. It’s a controlled cooling process that happens at the end of your firing schedule, and it’s absolutely essential for creating strong, stable glass. As glass cools, stress builds up within it; annealing relieves that stress, preventing heartbreaking cracks from appearing days, weeks, or even months later. There’s no single annealing schedule; it depends on your project’s size and thickness. A thicker piece needs to be held at the annealing temperature for longer to ensure the stress is evenly released. This is where a programmable kiln becomes your best friend, as it handles this slow, precise cooling for you, ensuring your beautiful work lasts a lifetime.

How to Choose the Right Frit, Stringers, and Molds

This is where you can really start playing with texture and dimension. Bullseye offers a huge selection of accessory glasses like frit, stringers, and rods that are all compatible with their COE90 sheet glass. Frit, which is crushed glass, comes in different sizes from powder and fine to coarse and extra-large, allowing for different effects from subtle shading to chunky textures. Stringers (thin rods) and confetti (thin shards) are perfect for adding lines and delicate details. To give your work three-dimensional form, you’ll need molds for slumping and draping. Just remember to coat them with kiln wash first so your glass doesn’t stick.

A Guide to Bullseye Frit Sizes

Frit is one of the most versatile tools in a glass artist’s toolkit, and understanding the different sizes is key to getting the effect you want. Think of it as crushed glass, sorted by granule size, that lets you add everything from subtle shading to bold, chunky textures to your COE90 glass projects. Bullseye offers several standard sizes to play with. Fine frit is almost like a powder (0.2mm to 1mm) and is perfect for detailed work or creating soft gradients of color. Medium frit (1.2mm to 2.7mm) is a great all-rounder, ideal for layering colors or adding a bit of texture. For a more dramatic effect, coarse frit (2.7mm to 5.2mm) gives you larger granules that create bold patterns and a tactile surface. The size you choose, along with how thickly you apply it, will directly impact the color saturation in your finished piece, giving you incredible control over your design.

How to Work Safely with Bullseye Glass

Working with glass is a deeply rewarding process, but it’s one that requires respect for your materials and your workspace. Prioritizing safety isn’t about limiting your creativity; it’s about ensuring you can keep creating for years to come. When you’re working with Bullseye glass, especially in a kiln, there are a few key things to keep in mind to protect yourself and others.

The most important areas to focus on are understanding the composition of your glass, maintaining clean air in your studio, and following food-safe practices if you plan to make functional pieces like plates or bowls. These aren’t complicated rules, just smart habits that quickly become second nature. By setting up your studio correctly and handling your materials with care, you create a safe environment where your artistic vision can truly take center stage. Let’s walk through the essentials so you can fire up your kiln with confidence.

What to Know About Lead and Cadmium Content

First, it’s important to know what’s in your glass. To achieve some of those stunningly vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges, certain Bullseye glass colors contain lead or cadmium. This isn’t something to be alarmed about, but it is something to be aware of, especially if you’re making functional art. If you plan to create a piece that will come into contact with food, the standard practice is to “cap” these colors. This simply means adding a top layer of a food-safe, clear glass over the colored glass before firing. This creates a durable, non-reactive surface, sealing the lead- or cadmium-bearing glass away from any contact with food.

Why Proper Ventilation Is Non-Negotiable

While the chemical composition of solid glass is one thing, the dust and powders you create while working are a more immediate concern. Cutting, grinding, or working with fine frit can release tiny glass particles into the air, which are harmful if inhaled. This is why good studio ventilation is absolutely essential. At a minimum, work in a space with good airflow from open windows or doors, and use a fan to direct dust away from your face. For an even safer setup, a dedicated ventilation system is a great investment. And whenever you’re working with powders or doing any coldworking that creates dust, always wear a NIOSH-approved respirator.

Is Your Project Food-Safe? Here’s How to Know

Building on the topic of capping, let’s talk specifically about making food-safe art. If you’re creating beautiful fused glass dishes, bowls, or platters using molds, always cap any lead- or cadmium-bearing colors with a layer of clear, food-safe glass like Bullseye Clear Tekta. This ensures the final piece is safe for everyday use. If you plan on selling your functional glass art, it’s a professional best practice to have your work tested by a lab to certify that it meets food-safe standards. This protects both you and your customers and gives them confidence in the quality and safety of your beautiful creations.

Where to Buy Bullseye Glass

Shop with an Authorized Dealer Like ArtGlassSupplies.com

When you’re ready to invest in Bullseye Glass, where you buy it matters just as much as what you buy. To make sure you’re getting the real deal, it’s essential to purchase from an authorized dealer. This guarantees you receive genuine, high-quality products that meet the brand’s strict standards for compatibility. Since 1974, Bullseye has built its reputation on a rigorously tested COE90 system, giving artists the confidence that every piece will work together seamlessly. Shopping with a trusted source like ArtGlassSupplies.com means you can focus on your art without worrying if your materials will cause stress cracks or other issues in the kiln.

As an authorized dealer, we offer a comprehensive selection of COE90 glass, from vibrant sheets to frit and stringers, so you can find everything you need for your project in one place. While Bullseye also sells directly from their own website, working with a dedicated supplier gives you access to a curated collection of tools and accessories. Remember that some Bullseye colors are “strikers,” meaning they only show their true hue after firing. To avoid any surprises, it’s always a good idea to fire a small test piece of any new color. By choosing a reliable supplier, you get the quality materials and support you need to bring your creative ideas to life.

How to Get Started with Bullseye Glass

Ready to start creating? Working with Bullseye glass is an incredibly rewarding process, and getting started is easier than you might think. The key is to begin with a solid foundation and build from there. Let’s walk through a few simple steps to get you on the right path to creating beautiful glass art with confidence.

The Golden Rule: Test Your Glass First

Before you commit your favorite sheet of glass to a large project, get into the habit of testing. Every kiln has its own personality, and colors can react differently depending on your specific firing schedule. Firing a small test piece first allows you to see exactly how your colors will turn out and how the glass will behave in your kiln. Think of it as a small dress rehearsal for your main event. This simple step saves you from unexpected surprises and potential heartbreak, especially when you need colors to match perfectly. It’s a smart habit that even experienced artists swear by.

Where to Find Classes and Community Support

You’re not alone on your glass art journey. The glass community is incredibly supportive, and there are tons of resources to help you learn. Bullseye itself offers a wealth of information, including technical guides and fantastic online video lessons that cover everything from the basics to advanced techniques. Exploring these materials can answer many of your initial questions and inspire new project ideas. Connecting with other artists, whether online or in local classes, is also a great way to share tips and troubleshoot challenges. Don’t hesitate to tap into this collective knowledge.

Helpful Resources for Artists

Beyond providing exceptional glass, Bullseye is deeply invested in the success of the artists who use it. They offer a number of valuable resources designed to solve common challenges and help you grow your skills. Whether you’re just starting and don’t have all the equipment yet, or you’re a seasoned professional ready to tackle a monumental project, there are tools and services available to support your work. These resources help bridge the gap between your creative vision and the practical steps needed to make it a reality, making the glass art community more accessible for everyone.

Finding Kiln Time with KilnSpace

Owning a kiln is a big investment, and not having one shouldn’t stop you from exploring kilnforming. Bullseye understands this, which is why they created KilnSpace, a free online tool that connects artists with studios and individuals who rent out kiln time. It’s like a matchmaking service for glass artists. This resource is fantastic for beginners who want to try fusing before buying their own equipment. It’s also incredibly useful for established artists who need access to a larger kiln for a specific project. KilnSpace lowers the barrier to entry and fosters a sense of community by helping artists share resources and support one another’s creative goals.

Exploring Custom Fabrication Services

Have you ever dreamed up a project that was too big or complex for your own studio? For those ambitious, large-scale ideas, Bullseye offers custom fabrication services. Their expert team can work with artists and designers to create custom pieces, from architectural installations to intricate sculptures that require specialized equipment and knowledge. This service is perfect when your vision exceeds the capabilities of your personal workspace. It allows you to collaborate with professionals who live and breathe this material, ensuring your most challenging projects are executed with precision and artistry. It’s a powerful resource that empowers artists to think bigger and bring even their most demanding concepts to life.

Build Your Skills, One Step at a Time

Kilnforming—the art of shaping glass in a kiln—covers a range of techniques, and it’s best to learn them one by one. Start with the fundamentals, like fusing. This is simply the process of joining two or more pieces of glass by heating them until they melt together. You can try a “tack-fuse,” where the glass just sticks together and keeps its shape, or a full fuse for a smooth, blended surface. Once you feel comfortable with basic fusing, you can move on to slumping, where you shape glass over a mold. Mastering these foundational skills will give you the confidence to tackle more complex projects.

Caring for Your Finished Bullseye Glass Art

After all the time you’ve spent designing, cutting, and firing your Bullseye glass project, you want it to last a lifetime. Fused glass is surprisingly strong and durable, but like any piece of fine art, it needs a little bit of care to stay looking its best. How you care for your piece depends on what it is—a decorative panel will have different needs than a serving platter you use every day. For decorative art, a gentle dusting or a wipe with a soft, damp cloth is usually all that’s needed to keep it shining. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, as they can damage iridescent or specialty surfaces over time.

For functional pieces, like bowls and plates you’ve created using slumping molds, the care is a bit more specific. While the glass itself is sturdy, you want to protect the beautiful, glossy surface you achieved in the kiln. Always avoid abrasive scrubbers or scouring pads, which can leave fine scratches and dull the finish. The key is to treat your handmade art with a handmade touch. A little bit of mindful handling will ensure your creations can be enjoyed for years, whether they’re hanging in a window or serving guests at your dinner table.

Is Fused Glass Microwave and Dishwasher Safe?

This is one of the most common questions we get, and the short answer is no. Putting your fused glass art in the microwave is a recipe for disaster. The rapid, uneven heating can create thermal shock, causing the glass to crack or even shatter. The dishwasher is also off-limits. The combination of high heat and harsh detergents can be abrasive, leading to a dull, etched surface over time. It can also cause tiny scratches that will mar the beautiful, glossy finish you worked so hard to achieve. The best way to care for your functional glass pieces is to treat them like fine china: wash them by hand with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. This gentle approach will keep your art looking vibrant and pristine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my glass change color after firing? This is a common and exciting part of working with certain types of glass! Some Bullseye colors are known as “strikers,” which means their chemistry is designed to react to heat. A sheet that looks pale or even clear before firing can transform into a rich, vibrant color in the kiln. To avoid any surprises in a final piece, it’s a great habit to fire a small test scrap of any new color to see its true, post-firing hue.

Can I mix Bullseye glass with other COE90 glass brands in one project? While it might seem like all COE90 glass should be compatible, it’s best to stick with one manufacturer for any single fusing project. Different brands can have slight variations in their formulas, even if they share the same COE rating. These tiny differences can create stress when the glass heats and cools, leading to cracks. Using only Bullseye glass throughout your project ensures every piece is truly compatible and gives you the most reliable results.

Is it safe to make dishes or plates with Bullseye glass? Yes, you can absolutely create beautiful and functional dishware, but it’s important to do it safely. Some of the most vibrant colors, like certain reds and oranges, contain lead or cadmium. To make a food-safe piece with these colors, you simply need to “cap” your design by adding a top layer of a clear, food-safe glass. When fired, this creates a durable, non-reactive surface that seals the other colors away from any contact with food.

I thought Bullseye was for fusing. Can I use it for traditional stained glass, too? Definitely. While Bullseye is famous for its performance in the kiln, it’s also a fantastic choice for stained glass and mosaics. The same qualities that fusers love—its consistency, smooth surface, and clean-cutting nature—make it a dream to work with for cold-working techniques like the copper foil method or lead came construction. Its incredible color palette gives you endless options for any type of glass art you want to create.

What causes that cloudy film on my glass after firing, and how can I prevent it? That frustrating haze is called devitrification, and it’s caused by crystallization on the glass surface. The most common culprits are dust, oils from your fingers, or other contaminants that were on the glass when it went into the kiln. The best way to prevent it is to be meticulous about cleaning. Always wipe down your glass thoroughly with a dedicated glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth right before firing to ensure you get a perfectly glossy finish.