Fused glass is a unique form of art where glass is melted at high temperatures to create beautiful and intricate designs. The fused glass bird is one design that has become increasingly popular over the years. I've created fused glass birds as tree ornaments and sun catchers.

When creating my fused glass bird for display on a plant stake, I used a powder slurry, which is a mixture of ground glass (powder) and water or other liquid binders. The powder slurry can be applied to a piece of glass to create unique designs and patterns.

The process of creating a fused glass bird using powder slurry begins with a sketch or a design that will be used as a guide. The glass is then cleaned, cut,  and prepped for the process. The powder slurry is prepared by mixing a glass powder with a liquid binder that can be water, alcohol, or glycerin. In this project, I used water as a binder. The mixture should be smooth but not too thick so it can be easily applied. I used a plastic spoon and brush to lay down the slurry on the clear glass shaped like a bird.

Once the powder slurry has been applied to the glass, additional design elements such as glass frit, stringers, and enamels can be added to add color and texture to the bird. I used cut glass to form the beak and eye on one of the birds.

The glass with the powder slurry and design elements is then placed in a kiln and fired to a full fuse. During this process, the glass fuses together and the powder slurry melts and spreads out, creating a unique design. The time and temperature will vary depending on the thickness of the glass, the kiln used, and the desired effect.

Fused glass birds can be displayed in a variety of ways. They can be hung in the window as a sun catcher, placed in a garden on a stake, or placed in a decorative planted pot for display. They also make excellent gifts for bird lovers, gardeners, and those who appreciate unique and beautiful art.