Crafting Glass » stained glass

Using Some Basic Glass Tools

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 02:06:59 +0000

In the two videos just below this post a glass crafter and a glass artist demonstrate the use of some simple glass tools. The tools in the first video are some that most any person working in glass would have. Cutting thicker glass, like the plate glass in the video, requires a somewhat different technique than cutting the glass normally used in stained glass work and in fusing. The second video shows the use of a basic power tool (the glass grinder) that is so helpful in smoothing the edges of glass before handling it in stained glass or other work. Enjoy!

Jerry, webmaster CraftingGlass.com

Technorati Tags: cutting glass, glass artist, glass grinder, glass tools, stained glass

From Glass Eyes To Glass Flowers, The Incredible Flowers of Glass At Harvard

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 22:24:59 +0000

From Glass Eyes To Glass Flowers, The Incredible Artistic Flowers Of Glass At Harvard

1 glass flower bouquet Blaschka Harvard Ware

It has been said at least once that the best of Mozart’s music was like the very voice of God. If that is true then these incredible glass flowers are likewise wondrous, like a creation by Gods own hands and eyes. They are that special, in many peoples’ opinion, including my own. The detail and color and true to life form are unbelievable, nearly other worldly. The most often heard comment in the museum, when the flowers are seen for the first time is: “where are the glass flowers?” Most first time viewers cannot really believe that the Blaschka flowers are not real. “They can’t be made of glass” is another comment heard frequently. The detail is astounding, according to many botanists. One model of the Angelica plant and flower has over 2,500 buds and blossoms. That is not a misprint. Some of the cacti have hundreds of spines or needles. Oohs and aahs are often audible in the glass flower viewing area as well. This reaction is even more remarkable because these glass flowers have been on display in the Harvard Museum of Natural History for no less that 74 years (the latest flowers added) to as long as 123 years (the earliest glass flowers added to the display). Unfortunately there has been some “glass disease” in the soda-lime glass used by the artists. And some dust particles and dirt cannot be removed totally without a risk of damage to the fragile plant parts. Despite this deterioration there is nothing today to match the present beauty and detail of these stunning artistic flowers of glass.

The Harvard Museum of Natural History’s collection of extremely detailed models of flowers (and stems and leaves) is made of colored and (some) painted glass. In the display are over 800 models of life-size plants or flowers representing about 780 species and nearly 165 plant families. Altogether there are over 4000 models including details of enlarged flowers and sections of vegetative parts. There are intricate glass models showing pollination details of many plants, as well. All of this remarkable display was created by just two men, Leopold Blaschka and his son Rudolph. This entire display at Harvard is known as the Ware Collection. A generous donation by Elizabeth Ware and her daughter Mary (about 1886) made it possible for the Harvard Natural History Museum, under director Professor Goodale, to commission the Blaschkas to create these glass flower models. For nearly 50 years Leopold and Rudolf (Blaschka) furnished the glass models to Harvard. After Leopold’s death in 1895 Rudolph continued alone making the glass flowers until about 1936, several years before he died.

The exact method(s) used to create the models was never fully revealed by the Blaschkas, although broad hints were given out. The elder Blaschka (Leopold) said that many people think we have some secret apparatus by which we can squeeze glass suddenly into these forms, but it is not so. Instead, we have tact, he said. I think he meant skill and patience, or perhaps the word “tact” was used differently or had a different meaning before 1900 than it has today. Leopold also said that to have great skill in artistic glass creation one must have a whole line of glass artist ancestors, starting with at least your great-grandfather, and continuing through your father. The Blaschkas themselves had this ancestry to their apparent benefit! The actual technique they used was not actually “supernatural” or miraculous. Although their skill was incredible the glass flowers were created by their hands, not Gods. The process they used is thought to have been mainly “lampworking”, a technique involving heating bits of glass over a flame. Modern glass artists use this process to create lovely glass beads and other glass art.

Many years before he began making flowers, Leopold Blaschka made and sold glass eyes. He also made glass beakers, test-tubes, and beads. Somewhat later he made models of marine creatures (jellyfish, octopi, squid, etc.). These glass models were also extremely detailed and lifelike. These glass creatures were widely admired and contributed greatly to his (and his sons) fame. The sea animals were sold to museums all over the world. Viewing the glass marine creatures eventually led Professor Goodale (of Harvard) to request that they (the Blaschkas) create some glass flower models. The beauty and exquisite detail of those flowers created the desire in Goodale and the Wares to start and enlarge the Harvard glass flower collection into the remarkable display it is today. In final tribute to the Blashkas I give you this quote : (their work is) “An artistic marvel in the field of science and a scientific marvel in the field of art.”

2CactiMapleFlowerBlashkaHarvardHerbalGramFlickerH.Burger

Enjoy the pictures! Jerry (webmaster CraftingGlass.com)

Technorati Tags: art glass, botany, glass artists, glass flowers, lampworking, stained glass

The First Artist To Appear In “The Artist Of the Month” is:

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:50:59 +0000

Guy Kemper, The Glass Artist of the Month says, “Glass is the best material in the world, there’s nothing better. I would take glass over any material, and there’s nothing more powerful.” Most regular viewers of CraftingGlass.com would agree as they love glass in all forms, as I do. Guy is a world recognized glass artist. He has works at the greater Orlando International Airport, St. Joseph’s chapel at Ground Zero in New York, the Baltimore Washington international Airport, and in our Lady In the Woods Chapel at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. Some of the other acclaimed works of Guy Kemper are found in as diverse places as the Mount Baker train station in Seattle, the Dulles station office park in Herndon, Virginia, in Chicago O’Hare airport, and in the Public Cemetery Chapel, Engenhahn, Germany. Pictured just below are several of Guy’s lovely works mentioned previously.

Bellarmine Chapel

Ground Zero Window New York

Guy’s works are unique in several ways. He doesn’t use lead anymore in most of his creations so he doesn’t have to stay “inside the lines” as a typical stained glass artist would have to do. And Guy doesn’t normally use vitreous enamels which are special paints containing “frit” (powdered glass) in his works. Instead he uses multiple layers of flashed glass which is then often etched in designated areas to produce the desired effect. Since the color is actually glass instead of paint Guys work has all the richness and reflection of glass. As you know paint is duller than most colored glass. The individual glass creations are laminated or fused to a clear tempered glass base. This process eliminates the need to have a line of lead between the individual pieces as in most other stained glass works. Kemper’s works are awesome to view as many of them seem to move and change as the viewer moves about. This stunning effect is probably due to the interplay of light as it hits or passes through the different colored layers of the glass from different viewing angles.

Guy Kemper lives in central Kentucky and being from Kentucky has had a huge influence on his work. Guy says that many German artists settled in the river towns like Cincinnati, Louisville, Chicago, and St. Louis, after they immigrated to America 150 years ago. These glass artists make some of the finest American glass, probably the best stained glass, as that is the craft that most of them were trained in. Mr. Kemper says that Louisville especially has some of the best glass in the country. Guy lives in the Kentucky countryside near Lexington. He grew up in the city but he really loves the country. Guy says “I love Kentucky. I have traveled all over the world but I never would seriously consider living anywhere else”. In his art you can see the blues, greens, reds, and (picket fence) whites of the Blue Grass rural areas near Lexington where so many fine race horses are raised. (Article continued after two more pictures of Guy’s work).

Baker Train Station window, Seattle

Detail, Seattle window (“Seattle Sunrise”)

Much of Guy’s architectural work is too large to fabricate in his own shop so he has Derix Glasstudios in Germany make the glass from his drawings and paintings. Many consider Derix to be the best glass fabrication company in the world. After being commissioned to do the Orlando International Airport in 2000 he sought help as this was his largest work up to that time. He met Wilhelm Derix who offered some ideas and was very helpful. Apparently recognizing Guy’s artistic talent Wilhelm said “you really should just paint. Don’t even use your pencil; just start painting. And let me worry about how to make it”. Guy says that he took the advice, although not always 100% (as he still does some drawing and some glass work himself). It appears that they have worked together well over the years since then!

The window by Guy at Orlando International was unique in another way. It was a memorial to his late brother, Mark, who passed away shortly before he designed the window. Guy says that like flight, life has a transitory beauty uniquely its own. I believe that Guy wanted to celebrate the beauty of flight, and of life, in this lovely airport window. It is entitled So Long Bro. Many thousands of arriving and departing travelers are inspired by this work of glass art.

To see more of Guy’s work go to his web site at http://kemperstudio.com Be sure to watch the PBS documentary video featuring Guy Kemper’s work. It is about 8 minutes long but very impressive (well worth the short time spent watching it).

Important note: I receive no money or material benefit of any kind from featuring glass artists on my web site (CraftingGlass.com). My work here is purely “a labor of love” so to speak. I hope viewers (and artists) like this new feature of this site. If you are a glass artist of any kind, even if you are a relatively new artist, I would be glad to consider featuring you here. Just send pictures of some of your work and tell me a little about yourself. Jerry (Webmaster, Crafting Glass).

Another note: Here is a link to Derix Studios: http://www.derix.com/en/

Here is Guy’s Orlando International Airport Window:

Technorati Tags: art glass windows, artist of the month, decorative windows, stained glass

Painted Glass/Stained Glass Vase Better? How Does This Relate To Stained Glass Windows?

admin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:36:59 +0000

What Is the Difference Between Stained Glass And “Painted Glass” (Or Is There Any Real Difference)?

The glass vase looked beautiful, I thought. I was at a flea market vendors booth years ago just looking at glassware to buy for my wife. At the time I was a real novice in glass (speaking broadly about all categories of glass knowledge, such as collecting, art glass, and glass crafting). I didn’t buy the vase right away but vowed to come back later to buy it unless I found “something better”. In talking to a friendly vendor at another booth I found out that a buyer must be cautious because some glassware items have the color painted on with a chemical solution which is then fired to make it “permanent” on the glass. This process is called “staining” the glass. I later found that some collectors, and even some dealers, call this technique “flashing” although that is not really the correct name. Whatever name it is called, the problem with glassware made by this technique is that the thin chemical coating (or “paint”) can wear off in time with a lot of handling and washing. Needless to say, I did not buy the vase that the first dealer had for sale! So keep in mind that when talking about collectible glass pieces, such as a vase, the techniques of Flashing, Casing, and Plating are separate layers of glass applied to the piece and that Stain is a painted on coating.

Now we will talk about Stained Glass Windows. They are a different animal from the collectible glass mentioned above! Stained glass windows have a history over a thousand years old! From what I can learn of the early times it appears that most of the medieval windows were made by painting a special mixture containing tiny glass particles (frit) over the desired piece of glass and then firing the glass and “paint” in a kiln to fix the painted design on to the glass piece. Most, but not all, modern stained glass windows are made with a different method. This later technique involves cutting a clear or colored glass to fit in a part of a pattern drawn on tracing paper or similar material. The glass piece is normally not painted. It is used “as is”. Its shape and color make it part of the design. The glass piece is then held in place in the window by lead or copper foil and solder. For a little more information look at my glossary terms below. The glossary for Crafting Glass may be found on the upper left side of this web page. Thanks for visiting, Jerry (webmaster, craftingglass.com)

STAINED GLASS – Commonly used to describe any colored flat glass or any object made of such glass joined by metal strips. The term originally applied to colored or clear flat glass cut to fit an artist’s design, on which details were painted in pigment with a brush. The glass pieces were then heated in a kiln or oven to bond the pigment to the glass surface. This firing makes the painted detail as durable and permanent as the glass itself. Most religious windows from medieval times until this century were executed in this manner, and so the term came to be used first for any architectural application, and then for any design in colored flat glass. It is now universally accepted as a convenient general term to define the art, the craft, and the industry

PAINTED GLASS – Glass on which special paints (containing frit) have been applied in illustration or decorative pattern and then heated in a kiln to a temperature high enough to fuse the pigments permanently to the glass surface. The modern version of the original medieval “stained glass.”

Technorati Tags: art glass, collectible glass, flashed glass, glass stain, stained glass

Entries Only Accepted In The Contest For Two More Weeks

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:01:59 +0000

Hey viewers, Don’t miss out! The contest will end in two weeks for today.Remember, the contest is to find the most beautiful glass window picture in the world (or at least in our little portion of it). Win one hundred bucks just for sending in a digital window picture. I love beautiful glass windows, don’t you? For the details (there are a few simple rules) go to:

http://hubpages.com/hub/VoteTheMostBeautifulGlassWindowInTheWorld

I’ll be grateful if you participate! )

Jerry (webmaster: Crafting Glass)

Technorati Tags: art glass, beveled glass, etched glass, glass window, most beautiful window, stained glass

Home Page

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:56:59 +0000

Welcome to CraftingGlass.com! Crafting Glass features videos, articles, pictures, and blogs on making and caring for beautiful glass objects. Whether it is information on stained glass, etched glass, or glass beads you will find it here. The sources for the tools and supplies you will need for crafting and maintaining decorative glass likely will be found here as well. Tips on buying, installing, and repairing window glass are provided on this web site also. For a list of categories please look in the column on the left side of this page. Please feel free to comment (blog) on any article or video. I also welcome suggestions for new articles, pictures, or videos in the broad catagory of “glass” (use the “contact us/me” page), How awesome can glass be? Well, just look at the beautiful images below for some idea of the beauty and versatility of glass.

Central Train Station R10/O5, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Architectural glass by Derix Glass Studios (derix.com). Pictured is the Glass art ceiling and glass art pillars.

Narcissus Quagliata, artist

A small stained glass window in an near 100 year old home.

A hand blown and hand cut small glass vase.

Agate glass pitcher

Technorati Tags: art glass, blown glass, decorative glass, glass art, glass supplies, stained glass, window glass

About The Three New Glass Art Videos AND The Artist Of the Month

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:35:59 +0000

Hi Everyone;

I’ve added three new videos just below this post. They are all good but I especially love the the Glass Blowing at the Henry Ford Museum one! And don’ forget to view the “Glass Artist Of the Month” article just below the videos if you haven’t seen it yet. It features Guy Kemper, a world famous artist from Kentucky.

Enjoy,

Jerry (webmaster CraftingGlass.com)

Crafters: Learn to make your own decorated and lighted Christmas glass blocks! Very beautiful and unique (See pictures and “click here” link below).

http://94c21btjwpx-yfrx-5zal9ymbn.hop.clickbank.net/ Click Here

Technorati Tags: art glass, decorative glass, glass blowing, glass vase, stained glass

Beautiful Images Of Window Glass Art (From My Recent Contest)

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:20:59 +0000

Although I did not get the required ten pictures to start the contest (sadly) I did get the great pictures below (not in any particular order). I’m sharing them with you today. The first window picture is in St Josephs Chapel at ground zero in New York. The artist is Guy Kemper (www.kemperstudio.com). Second picture is a private residence window done by Karen Tarlow submitted by her husband Paul Tarlow(www.heliosglass.com). The last lovely picture is of a window in a sanctuary door in the Congregation Bethaynu in Pepper Pike, Ohio. Image courtesy of Lynn Katz Danzig (no web site given). Three different types of glass work, three different styles, yet all are stunning, IMHO. My thanks to you all.

Now please view these three beautiful glass window pictures just below. Jerry (webmaster, Crafting Glass)

Entry #1

Entry #2

Entry #3

Technorati Tags: art glass, etched glass, fused glass, most beautiful glass window, painted glass, stained glass

New Feature Added: “Glass Artist Of The Month”

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:35:59 +0000

Hello Everyone!

Starting in October I will be writing an article on an artist in one of the glass categories featured on Crafting Glass. These categories are: glass blowing, dichroic glass art/jewelry, etched (and carved) glass, fused glass, glass beads, and stained glass. There will be no particular order (such as alphabetical) in which the artists will appear. I have several artists in mind for the first and subsequent articles. If you are an artist and want to appear here please contact me and be willing to let me use an article about your work or a video or picture of your work. New artists in the field of glass arts are welcome to apply also.

Thanks,

Jerry (webmaster, Crafting Glass)

Technorati Tags: blown glass, dichroic glass, etched glass, fused glass, glass artist, glass arts, glass beads, stained glass

What is ArtFire.com and How Can It Help Me?

admin — Sun, 03 May 2009 20:03:59 +0000

I found this interesting craft related web site (ArtFire.com) recently. I guess I’m late to the party as they seem pretty popular! What is ArtFire.com? I’ll let them (ArtFire) speak for themselves: “Welcome to Artfire, the premier online marketplace for handmade products designed by artisans around the globe. Our free community is designed for artisans to buy and sell their works, while celebrating unique handmade items and designs. It is always free for buyers of handmade products to search through our listed artisans, buy, or request for items to be specially made. No matter if you are looking for local handmade crafts or handmade products from artisans around the world, Artfire.com is the marketplace for you”.

The ArtFire website also allows glass artists, other artists, and crafters of miscellaneous items to sell their own items free of listing fees, final value fees, or renewal fees! There are two levels of membership: basic (totally free with some restrictions on listings) and verified (presently only $12.00 a month with unlimited listings allowed).

You will find Supplies and vintage items that support handmade artist’s needs on ArtFire.com also. Under the category “Arts and Craft supplies” I noticed there were 10270 listings! Under the sub-category “glassworks” there are dozens of listings for glass beads, stained glass pieces, tumbled glass, colored glass, lampwork, and much more.

To go to the web site now just click here: http://www.artfire.com/

Jerry (webmaster, Crafting Glass)

Technorati Tags: art glass, glass beads, glass crafting, stained glass, stained glass supplies