Cheap vases - are they safe to fire?

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FusedLightStudio
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Cheap vases - are they safe to fire?

Post by FusedLightStudio »

I bought some colored vases and bottles at Dollar Tree thinking that I could use them for color accents on my float glass creations. But when I broke them up, I saw that the thick bottoms are clear glass; only the thin sides have color.

I'm concerned that the colors are some superficial coating (like lead-based paint?!) that will give off toxic fumes when fired.

Anyone have knowledge or experience about this?
Lisa Schnellinger
Atlanta, GA
Marty
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Re: Cheap vases - are they safe to fire?

Post by Marty »

I'd be more concerned with incompatibility.
Brad Walker
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Re: Cheap vases - are they safe to fire?

Post by Brad Walker »

Most likely the color will just go away in the firing. I've fired bottles that are similar and they just emerge from the kiln all clear.

I wouldn't worry about toxic fumes. And Marty's right -- the vase is probably not compatible with your normal float glass.
FusedLightStudio
Posts: 55
Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2018 1:33 pm
Location: Georgia
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Re: Cheap vases - are they safe to fire?

Post by FusedLightStudio »

Thanks very much, Marty and Brad. I’ll continue my experimentation with these limitations in mind!
Lisa Schnellinger
Atlanta, GA
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