Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bullseye glass COE 90?
Bullseye Answer - Glass users who ask this question usually want to know if they can successfully fuse Bullseye with another manufacturer’s glasses. Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not simple. Our short response is this: •Matching COEs does not ensure compatibility between glasses, in spite of what you’ve read or heard from other practitioners or glass manufacturers. •Our fusible glasses are factory tested for compatibility with each other. We do not test for compatibility with other manufacturers’ glasses. We do not test for COE or rate our glasses with COE numbers. We do not claim to produce glasses that are rated “COE 90.” •The ONLY way you can insure that a Bullseye glass will be compatible with another manufacturer’s glass is to conduct your own tests.
Is all Bullseye glass recommended for fusing?
Bullseye answer - No. Our top-quality sheet glass comes in two grades: Fusible and Standard (non-fusible). Fusible glass is coded as “F” and Standard or non-fusible glass is coded as “P.” •“Fusible” glasses pass factory testing for color and fusing compatibility. They carry the “Bullseye Compatible” label and are recommended for kilnwork and flamework, as well as cold applications. •“Standard” glasses pass factory testing for color, but are not designed for fusing. They are recommended for cold applications such as stained glass, mosaic, copper foil, and leaded work. We also offer second-quality sheet glass in two grades: Fusible-Curious and Curious. “Fusible-Curious” glass is fusible, but “Curious” glass is not.
How do Bullseye glass colors look after firing?
Bullseye Answer - Some of our glasses look the same before and after firing. Others mature or “strike” to their target colors during firing. The images of fusible glasses on this site show how colors appear before and after heatwork. If you study these images and still have questions, don't hesitate to contact our color-savvy sales associates (Monday-Friday, 7-5 PST; 503.232.8887; toll free 888.220.3002; sales@bullseyeglass.com). Note: If you plan to subject glass to repeated firing or exceptional heatwork, we recommend that you test samples of the glass to the required processes and firing cycles in order to most accurately predict color outcomes
Is Bullseye glass food safe? Does it contain lead or cadmium?
Bullseye Answer - Below we have listed the Bullseye glasses that contain more than 1.0% lead or more than 0.5% cadmium. If you are using any of these styles for food-bearing objects, we recommend capping them with our clear glass. In our tests we have found that clear-capping results in minimal lead and cadmium leaching, well below FDA limits. In our tests we have also found that transparent glasses leach lead/cadmium at levels below FDA limits, and much less than opalescent lead/cadmium-bearing glasses; so you may be able to use transparent lead/cadmium-bearing glasses without clear-capping. Our testing, however, does not cover all glass styles or firing conditions, and it cannot be taken as a guarantee of food safety when using these glasses. If you are selling food-bearing objects, it is your responsibility to have them tested, since lead/cadmium leaching can be affected by the specific processes to which the glass is subjected. A heavily textured surface, for example, has more total surface area and, therefore, more area from which lead/cadmium may be leached. The following glasses contain more than 1.0% lead: 000014, 000243, 000301, 000303, 000305, 000313, 000332, 000334, 001205, 001215, 001234, 001311, 001305, 001332, 001334, 001342, 001701, 001707, 001714, 001717, 001823, 001824, 001831, 002020, 002050, 002130, 002137, 002164, 002302, 002305, 002310, 002311, 003026, 003045, 003126, 003328, 003334, 003345, 003346, 003445, and 003446. The following glasses contain more than 0.5% cadmium: 000024, 000025, 000120, 000124, 000125, 000126, 000203, 000220, 000224, 000225, 000227, 000310, 000320, 000321, 000329, 000337, 001119, 001120, 001120, 001122, 001125, 001126, 001320, 001321, 001322, 002121, and 002125.
What are Curious glasses
Bullseye Answer - The grading system for our handmade glass demands that each sheet match a target color and have a uniform appearance to receive first-quality grade. Glass that is not quite the target color or that has some other irregularity is graded “Curious” and is sold at a discount. Curious glass that is fusible is graded “Fusible-Curious” and is also sold at a discount. Fusible-Curious sheets are held to the same compatibility requirements as first-quality sheets. Our Curious and Fusible-Curious sheets are excellent for one-of-a-kind projects and are a great value for your dollar. Some of these sheets may be found in the Specials section of our online store. A much wider selection is available when you order by phone or e-mail or when you shop at our Resource Center and some regional dealerships.
What are “striking” glass colors?
Bullseye Answer - A small number of Bullseye glasses appear pale or colorless in the cold sheet, but “strike” or change dramatically to target color when fired. The images of striking glasses on this site show how colors appear before and after firing. Striking colors can vary, depending on temperature, atmosphere and amount of heatwork. For projects that are especially color-sensitive, we recommend fusing or torchworking a small sample of striking glasses before use to best predict final color results.
Why should I choose Bullseye over other glasses?
Bullseye Answer - When you buy Bullseye, you're investing in top-quality resources for yourself and the worldwide community of artists. •Our standards for testing and quality are the highest in the industry and our products are unsurpassed for consistency and reliability in performance. Our product dependability conserves your valuable time and resources. •Our glass products are developed in collaboration with artists from around the globe. We offer artists the largest and most subtle palette of compatible products on the market, with more than 1,150 styles and forms of glass. •We are the only glass company with full-time kilnforming and torchworking staff to serve you by addressing technical problems, developing first-rate educational resources, and researching new products and glassmaking techniques. •Our glass-savvy sales team provides responsive, individualized service. •We monitor our manufacturing practices continually to surpass best practices for employee safety and environmental accountability. •We offer many opportunities for artists: a biennial conference for professionals; a biennial exhibition for emerging artists; and a fine arts gallery, which draws international attention to innovative works in kilnformed glass.
