Cabochon FAQ

How do you make glass cabochons?

All of the cabochons that I make are glass and they come from two main processes. The first process I use for cabochons is lampwork (or torch work). These are made in a very similar process to the beads that I also create and sell. Flameworked cabochons allow for very unique colorations and designs with details that straight fused pieces cannot easily capture. Often, once a piece has been created in the flame and kiln annealed I will sometimes slump it to a flatter profile, but not always! Some cabs encase in clear so they look like mini paperweights.

Here are three examples of a lampwork cabochons:

The second type of cabochons that I make are straight fused cabs. These pieces start life as sheet glass and dichroic which I carefully layer directly into a cold kiln. The pieces are then super heated so the glass sheets become molten and reform into a new, patterned piece. This is the process I most often follow when using dichroic glass. Once fired the new pieces may be complete or may be cut up into smaller components and then firepolished for a nice finish.

This is an example of a fused cabochon with dichroic glass components:

What is a grooved edge and what do you do with it?:

Using a jewelry bit, I can grind a small channel in the edge of my glass cabochons. The groove allows 18-20 Gauge wire to nestle securely when wire wrapping the cabochon for use as a pendant or component piece.

This is the groove:

Here is a cab that's been wrapped using the groove:

What else?

Sometimes I like to give my cabs additional texture or shapes. One way that this is accomplished is through cold working the piece, sawing, and polishing. I also like to leave some of the dichro exposed on occasion as it makes for interesting textures.

Here is a dichro cab that had additional processing:

So what can I do with glass cabochons?

Need some ideas?
Cabs can be hung from a pendant bail or wire-wrapped to incorporate them into a necklace. They are often used as a focal piece in a bracelet, and small cabs can be attached to posts to make earrings. Here are a few examples of how glass cabs can be used:

(note: pictured seed bead pendants created by designer Amy Johnson using Gwaciebeads cabochons)

If you have questions please feel free to email me. Enjoy!

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