I love using these small molds to fuse my cabochons for my pendants. They're so easy and fun to do, and a great way to insure consistent shapes, and to try different color variations with frit blends. So, I put together a simple tutorial on how to use these molds with frit.  Enjoy!

 

List of ingredients:

 You'll need:

 A Frit Mold

 A Kiln

Powder or fine frit (any color)

Medium or fine frit blends

Dichroic Frit (optional)

Fine or medium clear Frit

Note: Be sure all your frit is the same COE. I'm usnig "96"

 

 

Step One:

 Prepare your mold with kiln wash. Make sure it is completely dry.

One way to insure that it's completely dry is to place your prepared molds in the kiln and ramp up to 500 degrees for 5 - 10 minutes.

Let your mold completely cool.

 

Step Two:

  For your base color, you'll want to use your powder or fine frit. Using smaller frit grain for your base will prevent unwanted bubbles.

Fill about 2/3rds with the base color. 

Note: If you're planning on adhering a bail to the back of your pendant, you may want to use an opal color base so that the bail won't be seen from the front side.

 

Step Three:

 Sprinkle a few pinches of your favorite frit blends.

Try using a couple or few color blends for variation.

Use just a pinch of each color so you don't completely cover the base color.

In this case, less is more.  Spread as evenly a you can.

 

Step 3.1 (Optional)

I like to sprinke some hand crushed clear silver dichroic frit on top of the colors. This gives a bit of sparkle to the cabochon.

 

Step Four:

Cover with your clear frit. You'll want to slightly over fill the mold. 

Note: For variation,  if you don't want to use clear, try using another light colored transparent color to top off the mold.

 

Step Five:

Tidy up!

Make sure there are no grains outside your mold. Also, neatness will mean that there won't be any flash or sharp edges on your finished project.

 

Step Six:

Place your mold in your kiln. A kiln shelf is not necessary. It's more economical to fuse several similar sized molds at the same time.

Slowly ramp to 1450 degrees. Hold for 12 - 15 minutes. Anneal at 1050 - 1100 degrees for 30 - 45 minutes.

 

 

Your finished cabochon should have smooth rounded edges.

 

Some variations of frit cabochons with wire wrappings, pinch bails, and simple bails.