Archive for December, 2008
Encasing a glass bead will stretch out the dots of color you’ve added and turn them into stripes. Learn more about how to encase a striped glass bead with tips from a jewelry maker in this free video on handmade glass beads.
Duration : 0:1:39
Melting striped glass beads will make the different colors of glass mix together to for a more organic looking bead. Learn more about how to melt a striped glass bead with tips from a jewelry maker in this free video on handmade glass beads.
Duration : 0:1:33
After an extremely busy hurricane season 2005, and all the devastation that resulted, protecting your home from hurricanes has never been more paramount. over the years, hurricane shutters have advanced tremendously in their design and practicality. the cost for shutters has remained fairly consistent despite the rising cost of aluminum in the world markets. after katrina, wilma, and rita roared through the gulf region, the demand for hurricane protection products has skyrocketed. there are basically five different forms of hurricane protection products: storm panels, accordion shutters, roll-down shutters, hurricane tint window film, and impact-resistant glass.
Removable storm panels provide the most cost-effective protection against the violent ravages of hurricanes and tropical storms. their rock-solid durability and easy set-up makes storm panels an absolute necessity anywhere storms and hurricanes threaten the safety of your property. .050 and .063 aluminum storm panels, as well as our 20-gauge galvanized steel panels, have been engineered to meet the most stringent wind codes in the country and have been reviewed and accepted by the miami-dade county product control division. these panels are designed to slip into an upper header track and fasten to a lower track with washer-based wing nuts. the tracks are available in a white or bronze finish. the panels can be removed from the tracks and can be easily stored in your garage or shed. panels can also be attached directly to the wall without tracks by concrete anchor and stainless steel screws.
if you looking for the best combination of affordability, protection, and easy-of-use, accordion shutters are the right solution for your home or business. they offer durable life-time protection and are proven to increase the market value of your home or business. whether you needs are residential or commercial, custom-designed and professionally installed shutter systems will keep you protected for years to come. accordion shutters are not only perfect for windows and doors, but also for securing patios, balconies, terraces, and storefronts, which have large expanses. they are attractive and easy to operate, and can be installed in any length because they do not require reinforcement with vertical braces or supports. accordions feature specially engineered, heavy-duty nylon wheels, which enable our shutters to open and close with ease. accordion shutters are constructed of heavy-gauge, extruded aluminum panels. they lock securely for maximum protection against storms, high-winds, and forcible entry. accordion shutters have been engineered to meet the most stringent wind codes in the country and have been reviewed and accepted by the miami-dade county product control division.
roll down shutters provide the ultimate in security and storm protection for your home or business. roll-down shutter systems come with a smooth, manual crank or can be upgraded to the fully synchronized electric motor drive for maintenance-free operation. roll-down shutters offer an elegant design solution with minimal visual impact. rolling shutters are constructed of the finest grade of aluminum for maximum impact resistance and durability. specially designed roll-down shutters provide maximum strength and insulation from sun, storm, heat, noise, and weather extremes. the reinforced track system provides strength and maximum shutter width. they are specially designed and engineered to blend with and compliment your home or business. our roll-down shutters add substantial value to your home or business and pay for themselves through more efficient heating and cooling of your rooms. roll-down shutters have been engineered to meet the most stringent wind codes in the country and have been reviewed and accepted by the miami-dade county product control division.
if you are evaluating replacement windows for your home or business or in the design stage of a new construction project, impact windows are your perfect solution to provide effortless hurricane protection. they come in a wide-variety of options in fame colors, glazing, and tint. you can customize your windows to compliment your existing architecture. these windows combine heavy-duty aluminum frames with impact resistant glass. a special silicone glazing process keeps the glass from shattering. although the glass may crack on impact the inner-layer keeps the glass intact preventing debris from entering your home or business. windows and doors with aluminum frames have miami-dade notice of acceptance, qualifying them for use in miami-dade and broward counties. this remarkable product also provides protection to your draperies, rugs, and furniture from the suns damaging uv rays. impact resistance glass reduces outside sound and traffic noise enhancing the serenity of your home. the same impact resistant glass and heavy-duty construction that keeps flying objects out of your home during a hurricane, also provides deterrence to thieves and vandals.
whether your are opt for storm panels, accordions, impact glass, roll-downs or hurricane film, you are sure to make your home a more safe and secure dwelling with hurricane shutters. they will protect your home for years to come and will add value to your home.
Dec
26
Windows can present an opportunity for burglars and intruders to gain entry into your home. True, and intruder can always just break window glass, the the noise of breaking glass is usually avoided by most intruders. But burglars are clever and can always find ways to break in without smashing the window glass.
Old windows framed in aluminum offer a simple entry point because they can be lifted right out of the channel and set aside without ever breaking the glass. This is easily prevented by carefully drilling a couple of holes in the window part of the frame. A couple of screws in those holes removes the possibility of someone lifting the window out.
Even when old aluminum windows are protected from being lifted out, those old locks common on these windows can easily be forced open with a small screwdriver. You can still make these old windows more secure by purchasing various locks at any hardware store.
You want to look for three things in a window lock. Effectiveness is the most important. New window locks aren’t worth much if there not effective at stopping a burglar. Secondly, they should look nice and fit in with window style and decoration style of the room. Finally, they need to be affordable. Good effective locks shouldn’t break the budget.
The locks on old windows are not as effective as you might want, when it comes to your homes security. If you have more recently installed windows, they still might need some better locking systems. There are different kinds of locks for every style of window in use today. And any window style that is common in your community should have good locks available at your local hardware store.
Matching locks with your interior decorating might be more of a challenge, and may require visiting some on-line retailers. For some window styles, you can find locks that are practically invisible to anything less than close scrutiny. If all else fails, there’s always paint.
Matching the budget with a set of locks takes some consideration. It’s hardly affordable to have someone intrude into your home. Not to mention the loss in sense of security and privacy. It’s best to consider how many windows you need new locks for, and spend as much as you can reasonably afford.
For sliding windows, there are some very effective locks that cost pennies. You can find wood dowel sticks at any hardware store. Cut to length and dropped into the window channel prevents it from being opened. You can even cut it an inch or two short to provide fresh air during the evening hours.
One of the best ways of locking your large patio doors is a dead-bolt. They are very secure, and affordable. The can be installed at the top or bottom of the window and you can find ones with a key or simple lever actuation.
Window style is largest determination of what lock style you can use. But the hardware store in your area should carry locks for window styles common in your locality. Just remember the three criteria – effective, blending with the decor, and affordability.
Step by step video how to make glass on glass mosaic windows
Duration : 0:4:23
The lava lamp has survived the 1960s to become a style icon. Whether out of nostalgia or for their soulful retro look, they are still in vogue today.
In terms of interior design the 1960s and 1970s were not decades that particularly made a positive impact. There is however one 1960s piece of decorative kit that holds a special place in my heart. I am referring to the omnipresent lava lamps. Their viscous lumps of wax came in a variety of psychedelic colors. You could find them in purple, lime green, pink and yellow amongst other shades. Lava lamp would become my main focal point whenever there was one around.
Whenever I was in a room with one, my attention went to it automatically, as if I was hypnotized by the suspended, vibrantly colored. I found them to be a completely innocuous pleasure and rather relaxing, especially if combined with Indian music and the scent of burning incense.
People my age buy the lava lamps that are manufactured nowadays out of nostalgia while youngsters are attracted to their retro look. They may be considered tacky and ordinary today but I find them curiously soothing. Maybe it is because they were invented in more buoyant times.
They are still being made today, bought by my generation for reasons of nostalgia and by young people who love the retro look of them. I know they’re trashy and unsubtle but there’s something strangely comforting about them. Perhaps they represent a more optimistic age. I may even possibly purchase one though it would not really sit in well with the rest of my décor. I guess it could be a curio or period piece, depending on how tongue in cheek I’m being when justifying it to my surprised friends who buy all their home deco gear from Ikea. Maybe it is not such a great idea after all: I probably wouldn’t get much work done if the trance-like state they used to put me in is anything to go by.
Nowadays you can also buy Plasma Lamps, but they are colder, soulless and far less personable than the good old lava lamp. My all-time favorite lava lamp color is purple as they make me think of Jimi Hendrix’ Purple Haze. Maybe psychology students should look at the links between someone’s favorite lava lamp color and their personality.
Craven Walker, the inventor of the lava lamp, chanced upon his discovery by accident and would not have had any idea as to his invention future cult status. Though lava lamps are harmless fun you should always read the manufacturers instructions: it proved a tragic mistake for a young man back in 2004. He was so eager for his lamp to come to temperature that he placed it on top of his stove to speed things up: the glass casing exploded and he was killed by a shard of heart that went straight through his heart. I have also heard of DIY lava lamps but this doesn’t sound like a very safe thing to do at home!
Dec
16
Learn how to cut glass with The Corning Museum of Glass staff. Cut glass is often used to make beautiful stained glass windows.
Duration : 0:1:11
For further context and film, please see www.alanmacfarlane.com
Duration : 0:3:41
Glass Cutting and Breaking Table
Duration : 0:0:30
Dec
16
Hand Cut Crystal
Duration : 0:5:18