Handmade Fused Glass Molds
I'm a fused glass artist, and I design and make every one of these handmade fused glass molds myself, one at a time, in my studio in Port Alberni, BC. Each design is tested in my own kiln and comes with its fill weight and firing schedule, so your first casting comes out the way you pictured it.
Handmade fused glass molds, designed by an artist who uses them
These aren't molds I buy from a supplier to resell. I originally created them for use in my own studio and classes. They grew out of my own work at the kiln, and now I'm making them available to other glass artists.
Every mold is handmade by me in limited quantities. I'm a maker first, and I bring that hands-on studio experience into every mold I design. I designed each shape, cast pieces in it myself, and wrote down exactly what worked so you don't have to guess.
Small-batch molds, made with care
I started making these molds to solve creative needs in my own studio. Now, after serving more than 700 customers, I'm sharing those designs with fellow fused glass artists.
Because I make the molds myself, production is limited and every mold is made to order. When an order comes in, it joins my studio production queue, and I make, finish and box it by hand before it ships. These aren't mass-produced items sitting in a warehouse. They're made one at a time by an artist who understands what it's like to stand in front of a kiln, load a project and wait to see how the glass turns out.
Why makers love these handmade fused glass molds
Made for real kiln work
I fire my molds to 1900°F, well above typical glass-fusing temperatures. Each mold comes with its fill weight and firing schedule, so you have practical information to help you plan your project.
Works with any COE of glass
You can use these molds with any COE of glass, giving you the flexibility to work with the glass you already have in your studio.
Prep it. Fill it. Fire it.
Glass should be fun, not fussy. My approach is a little tough love: no overthinking and no fear of getting it wrong. Prep your mold, fill it with glass, fire it, and learn from what comes out of the kiln. If it isn't what you pictured, fire it again.
Free tutorials and helpful articles
If you need more guidance, my free mold tutorials and Journal articles cover mold preparation, fill weights, firing and getting the most out of your molds, written the way I'd explain them at the studio table.
A community that cheers you on
You're not doing this alone. Share what you make and tag me @themichellefrost. I love seeing your pieces, and I'll cheer you on and share your work in the Maker Inspiration Gallery.
Airflow notches built in
Each mold has notches underneath that let air flow, so there's no need to raise it on kiln posts.
Shop fused glass casting molds by project
Most of my casting molds are 5 inches across and make 3.5–4 inch pieces, a size that fits easily on a kiln shelf next to your other work. Molds start at $34 CAD.
Christmas ornament molds
- Wreath fused glass casting mold: a 3.5 inch wreath for ornaments and year-round décor.
- Star fused glass mold: 3.5 inch stars for the tree or a window.
- Bell fused glass mold: 3.5–4 inch bells that hang beautifully on a ribbon.
- Christmas tree fused glass mold: a flat 3.5–4 inch tree ornament.
- Standing tree fused glass mold: a 4 inch tree you can cast flat or free-standing. See the stand up tree tutorial.
- Solid snowflake fused glass mold: a 4 inch snowflake for ornaments and gifts.
Molds with a built-in hanging hole
No drilling needed. These molds cast the hole into every piece, ready for suncatchers, pendants and ornaments.
- Maple leaf with hole fused glass mold (4 inch)
- Snowflake with hole fused glass mold (4 inch)
Pet memorial and keepsake molds
After losing my two pups, I wanted to make a memorial piece that felt meaningful and substantial. That's how the standing dog paw was born: a small sculpture that can sit on a shelf or desk and hold space.
- Standing dog paw casting mold: a free-standing paw about 3 x 2.75 inches, up to 1 inch deep.
- Dog paw casting mold: a shallow 3 inch paw for keepsakes, ornaments and suncatchers.
Fill weights and firing schedules for both are in Dog Paw Casting Molds: Fill Weights & Firing Schedules.
Year-round and gift molds
- Heart fused glass mold: a 3.5 inch heart wreath for Valentine's Day and keepsakes.
- Bloom fused glass mold: a 4 inch flower, lovely with frit, murrini and glass scraps.
- Maple leaf fused glass mold: a solid 4 inch leaf for Canadian-themed gifts.
Finishing touches
Add a pack of 18 assorted charms and a ribbon to turn your castings into hanging ornaments.
How to use a fused glass casting mold
Casting with a mold is easier than you think. Fill it with the right amount of glass, fire it on the right schedule, and the mold does the heavy lifting.
1. Prep the mold with ZYP
Wipe the mold with a damp cloth and let it dry. For the first prep, apply 3–4 even coats of ZYP BN spray, changing your angle to cover the centre post well. Reapply as needed.
2. Weigh your glass
For the 5 inch molds, use 85–100 g of glass for a tack fuse or 100–120 g for a full fuse. Two or three layers of ¼ inch pieces work beautifully.
3. Build and fire
Keep pieces fairly flat and avoid sharp points pressing into the mold walls. Then fire on the tack or full fuse schedule for your glass.
The full schedules are in How to Use a Fused Glass Casting Mold: Prep, Fill Weights & Firing Schedules. If a piece grabs, read Why Is My Fused Glass Sticking to the Mold? 5 Things to Check.
Ordering, production and shipping
- Made to order: the current production time is about 2–3 weeks, plus shipping. You'll get an email as soon as your mold is finished, boxed and ready to ship.
- Limited runs: when the studio reaches capacity, ordering pauses until the next production opening. Join the Be the First to Know list to hear when it reopens.
- Large orders: orders over 6 molds may have extra shipping charges because of package size. I'll be in touch if anything needs adjusting.
- U.S. customers: U.S. orders are subject to an import tariff, which I collect and remit for you to avoid surprises or customs delays.
Frequently asked questions about fused glass molds
What glass can I use in these molds?
Any COE of glass. If you're using Bullseye (COE 90), swap in the tack or full fuse temperatures for your glass and anneal at 900°F. For other glass, use the temperatures your glass manufacturer recommends.
How hot can the molds go?
I fire my molds to 1900°F, well above typical glass-fusing temperatures.
Do I need ZYP or kiln wash?
The 5 inch casting molds are prepped with ZYP BN spray, aerosol preferred. The dog paw tutorial covers ZYP versus kiln wash for those molds.
Do I need to raise the mold in the kiln?
No. Each mold has notches that let air flow underneath.
Can I fire frit only?
Full fusing with frit only isn't recommended, because it's hard to reach the right weight. If you do, load the frit in a peaked mound so the glass pushes down into the mold as it fuses.
Why is my glass sticking to the mold?
The most common causes are a thin ZYP coat and firing at contour temperatures, where the glass isn't hot enough to flow and is more likely to grab. Here are all five things to check.
How long until my mold ships?
About 2–3 weeks plus shipping, because every mold is made to order.
Find your next handmade fused glass mold
Looking for a mold with a little more thought behind it? Explore my handmade fused glass molds and find something new to make. And when you fire it, tag me @themichellefrost. I'd love to see what you make.