READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!! Or go online and get some, when trying something new. I’ve been making mirrors this past month. After breaking too many, I finally went online to see how I was supposed to be doing it. Just about everything I was doing was wrong.
To do it right, check http://www.abacaglass.com/how_to_cut_glass.htm. And, you can watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SYDudIujRM. I’m sure I’ll never be snapping the mirror pieces apart quite like this guy, but I can, after a half hour of practice, cut and break a straight line.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/destructivetesting
I’d like to have other artists send me their tips to post. M
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About destructivetesting
I'm a self-taught artist who prefers to use found objects in ways that were never intended. I'm not interested in making 10 or 100 of the same object. This, of course, takes more time to make each piece. I also prefer a more minimalist look, where each part of a piece can be appreciated. I consider my clocks to be small sculptures with moving parts. And, my lamps to be small sculptures with light. My mirrors are reflective sculptures.
DESTRUCTIVE TESTING means to push something to it's limits to understand it's structural performance or material behavior under different stresses. I interpret this in my artwork as using materials in different ways or combinations than they were designed to be used. I also just like the slightly ominous sound of the term...
Destructive Testing 
I was a picture framer for 18 years, and it’s tough cutting mirrors. I’ve the scars to prove it!
On one of my Making It mirror photos you can see a blood smear!