Info for glass collectors

Victorian Bristol Glass

Posted by Adriana Noton on July 17 in Glass with No Comments


To have an elegant looking home, you need to use glass hardware because it can do wonders in terms of beauty. It can be used in the kitchen, lavatory or anywhere in homes. The use of the material can also bring changes to a boring room. There is a variety of glass in different shapes and color that one can use in the house or at the workplace.

This material can add a unique feel to your home, and you should consider turning to it the next time you redecorate. Knobs and pulls are usually the focus of one’s attention, since they are frequently used in most homes; yet they look horrible when scratched or worn. Typically, most cabinets or drawers are opened or closed several times per day; sometimes even more.

The glass usage permits for a few inventiveness as well as artisanship when it gets to creating knobs for cupboards and drawers in the house. One can opt to have different shapes such as plain squares or complex rosette shapes which are conspicuous. This material is extremely simple to form into different shapes that one may wish.

The use of the material also allows for a variety of color options that one can add for an even more dazzling appearance. Some of the more common colors include pink, blue, red and yellow. One can go a step further and go for emerald, auburn or lavender. It all depends on your taste and how the hardware will blend into its surrounding.

With glass cupboard hardware, the stand where it is built up will add to the general attractiveness, as such, this also ought to be considered. It is not unusual to get drawer pulls which are built on gold or bronze stands. Other materials which can be used in building to include to the attractiveness comprise of iron, wood, stainless steel and copper.

The use of this material offers a wonderful opportunity to create themes for rooms in the home, like the baby nursery or even the dresser. One can take this opportunity to make their home reflect their unique personality and taste by clever use of glass. When properly fitted on furniture around the house, this material will stand out against wood or metal to bring out that extra touch of elegance.

Despite its lack of strength when compared to other materials such as brass, steel or iron, this material is extremely durable. It will take a while before you will see any signs of it being worn out. When installed properly, the material pulls and knobs will prove just as effective as any standard metal knobs; perhaps even better.

The likelihood of bringing attractiveness and style in the house or workplace by the glass hardware usage is continuous. Plain dull fittings can be changed into dazzling furnishings. Bathrooms and their cabinets can be designed as per the selected premise and color design. One is supposed to take time in looking around stores offering interior decoration materials so as to model the different options offered. This information too can be obtained with ease from the internet in several websites.

Finding the right glass parts and window parts can be difficult. At Reflect Window & Door, they make it easier to find the right supplies to get the job done, and done right.

Posted by Karri Owens on May 21 in Glass with No Comments


Stained glass is really an incorrect name for a type of art encompassing many different ways of decorating glass for windows, mirrors, lamps and other projects. Stained glass may be created from many pieces of colored glass cut in a design and soldered together with lead or copper cames (metal strips), it can be painted, etched, actually stained with various metal oxides or even sandblasted. Sandblasting is a fascinating way to add texture and interest to your stained glass art project. Rather than adding colored, sandblasting provides unique frosted or abraded look. This works extremely well as a decorative “frame” for your stained glass project before painting and setting it within the kiln, or you can create the entire design through sandblasting alone.

Sandblasting equipment could be very expensive, so you will most likely desire to borrow or rent the equipment. You may also consider paying a specialist to sandblast your prepared design. Be prepared to make several phone calls and be clear about what you would like to do. You will likely be charged a set fee per sq . ft . of the stained glass project.

There are four basic elements on the sandblasting unit. The sandblasting unit works with an air compressor that acts because the motor of the unit and offers compressed air to the sand mixing unit. This highly pressurized sand will be forced through a soft tube right into a sealed compartment where it can be forced through a nozzle. You will perform the sandblasting through a set of long rubber gloves that extend in the unit where you can move your stained glass project around and control the nozzle during sandblasting.

You should create your pattern on a special form of removable backed adhesive paper called “transparent resist”. You may also try regular contact paper, but it’s not as sturdy or an easy task to work with for your stained glass project because resist. Draw your design around the transparent resist paper having a pencil.

Remember that the remove portions will be the frosted design on the stained glass project. Be create, experiment with different lines and shapes. When you might be satisfied with your design you must tape it to your cutting mat and work out carefully using a craft or razor knife. Next, gently get rid of the paper backing and roll the resist or contact paper unto your little bit of glass smoothing it out as you go along. Be careful not to leave any air pockets or lifted edges where sand might get into and foil your design.

Stick to the manufacturer’s directions for sandblasting (should you be renting the equipment, otherwise drop it off to the studio and wait for dramatic results). Carefully peal off the transparent resist and viola, an attractive piece of stained glass art! You are actually ready to use stained glass paint and fire the piece in a very kiln if that is what your design requires; otherwise your stained glass project is ready for framing or hanging.

Stained glass artwork can be a satisfying hobby that not only provides hours of enjoyment, but in addition creates attractive accents on your home, or gifts to a family event or friends that will bring pleasure for several years to come.

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Posted by Karri Owens on May 21 in Glass with No Comments


Scoring and breaking stained glass can be an art that you can achieve but not without some practice. All it will take is a little patience and you will soon be able to cut and break stained glass just like a pro! The first thing to do when cutting stained glass is usually to relax when you are handling stained glass. Every time they visit the work go much more smoothly.

Keeping the proper stained glass cutter is important. Various companies manufacture different types of stained glass cutters. They’ve cutting wheels of either carbide or steel. The wheel size and honing angles vary to be used in specific types of glass cutting.

If you’d like the proper cutter for stained glass, it is best to go to a stained glass supplier. Cutters in hardware stores are often made specifically for cutting clear glass.

Carbide wheels cost more but last longer than steel wheels. They may ultimately get dull or even nicked and also have to be replaced; but, you are able to replace the wheel only while not having to get a whole new cutter.

Stained glass cutters must be lubricated to keep the wheels rolling freely. Most stained glass cutters, like Toyo or Fletcher pistol grip and pencil grip cutters, possess a reservoir for lubricating oil which runs down a wick towards the cutting wheel.

Stained glass cutters feature different handles which make the choice one of preference and fit. Once you’ve selected your favorite cutters, it is best not to let other people use your cutter. They will put pressure on it differently than you which of them changes the balance.

Pencil grip stained glass cutters possess a ball on one end utilized to tap the stained glass underneath the score line to begin a running break so that the glass can be pulled apart. Stained glass that is scored can be pulled apart by hand; but sometimes, the glass pieces are far too small to grip. Glass pliers can be used to separate the pieces which can be too small to grasp.

Special “running” pliers are made for breaking straight lines. Some glass pliers have smooth gripping surfaces. Others have teeth for scraping off rough edges or shards of stained glass. Gripping one side of the glass firmly together with your thumb along one side from the score gives the glass some stability. The breakers are utilized on the opposite side, pointing toward the score. You work with a quick pulling away and down motion.

Should your score is long, it is far better to “rock” your pliers at one end to begin a running break; then do a similar at the opposite end with the score, then pull the stained glass apart.

A good score is done in one continuous motion. Starts and stops will still only cause a bad score line which will end up in a bad break. Going over the score line twice dulls your stained glass cutter and is really a bad score line.

Operate when scoring stained glass to help you apply even pressure with all the weight of your arm by leaving your wrist free to follow curves. A metal ruler enable you to assist in cutting straight lines.

Make sure to hold the stained glass cutter upright and down. If your cutter is leaning to a single side, it results in a beveled cut, resulting in the stained glass pieces to adjust to poorly. Make sure you glass is clean before you cut it so that nothing inhibits a smooth score. Cut on the smooth side of the stained glass.

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Posted by Owen Jones on October 15 in Uncategorized with No Comments


No one actually knows when stained glass was first invented because it occurred before people started recording history. However, some historians think that it was first used as a luxury in the homes of affluent Romans in the first century AD. Stained glass was finally acclaimed as an art form in the fourth century as Christians started to worship openly and to construct intricate churches in which to observe their religion.

On the other hand, some historians show that there are remnants in pre-Christian ruins that suggest that pagans employed stained glass in their rites. Although we will most likely never really learn the origins of stained glass, it is fairly certain that the spread of Christianity is immediately related to the increased of use of stained glass.

The Gothic Era started in the 12th Century and stained glass windows became an important aspect in the design of cathedrals. It really all started with the novel style of the St. Denis, France, where stained glass windows were used to bring light into the church itself and into the minds of its worshipers. Unfortunately, most of the stained glass in the St. Denis Cathedral was destroyed during the French Revolution, but there are a few pieces left and even some entire windows on display in Europe.

Gothic style stained glass was composed of strong lines, but these increasingly went out of style as the Renaissance began. Throughout the Renaissance, artisans depicted better detail and more delicate colouring in order to add to the realism. Stained glass windows became more like paintings on glass than architectural features and some of the notable elements such as lead lines vanished. Because of the problems in showing the great detail essential to the Renaissance era, the old style, which was original stained glass almost died out.

Since stained glass was used by and large by the Catholic Church, much of the work was smashed during the reign of King Henry VIII after his split with the Pope. However, not only old stained glass windows were damaged, but many of the glass making works were sabotaged too. However, religious strife was not the only cause of the decline of stained glass.

The fashion of the Baroque era was for more detailed murals, which meant the use of clear glass. Therefore, many of the remaining stained glass windows were allowed to fall into disrepair, and furthermore not many new stained glass windows were produced. In the late 17th century, the public mood returned to the Gothic style of architecture, which produced a renewed fascination in stained glass windows.

Artisans still tried to paint directly onto the glass at first, but later tried to imitate the old leaden frames of medieval times. However, since the earlier methods had not been used for such a long time, they had grown to be forgotten and the artisans of the period were unable to reconstruct the exact designs used in Gothic stained glass.

During the 19th century, La Farge and Tiffany created new kinds of stained glass. La Farge was interested in window designs, while Tiffany went into new areas like the Tiffany lamp shade.

These days, stained glass artists are not limited by religious styles, although much of the work they do involves restoration. Modern stained glass is also used as the centre pane in front doors, especially uPVC doors, by rich and poor alike in the West.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with Waterford crystal vases. If you have an interest in Irish crystal or wedding rings, please go to our website now at White Gold Claddagh Ring

Posted by Charlotte Buckley on August 25 in Glass History with No Comments


The history of glass windows has a somewhat prestigious past due to the Romans beginning the use in 100 AD for villas or buildings of the prestigious. Glass that was produced by Romans has a recorded history of being found in the Mediterranean and across Europe as well as in China. In the eleventh century some German Craftsmen found that by producing smaller flatter pieces of glass they could create designs by putting the glass pieces together with lead, which was the beginning of stained glass.

The development of machines and advanced equipment made it possible to get glass produced in a more uniform way which was used for items such as vases, bottles or decorative items. Belgium resident Fourcault, discovered in 1914 that he could use a take furnace as a way of producing glass in continuous sheets.

A tank furnace was the new item towards the industrial revolution end that replaced the pot furnace. The newer tank furnace made it possible to develop large amounts of molten glass. After Fourcault another gentleman, an American named Colburn expanded on Fourcaults ideas with newer and improved ways to produce sheet glass.

Colburns idea spread and was soon thereafter adapted into the process used by the Libby Owens Company. In 1928 the Pittsburgh process combined both Fourcault and Colburns systems to create a better system that is still in use for glass sheets today. At the last parts of the Victorian era glass was beginning to be more accessible and less expensive due to the amounts produced by the Pittsburgh system.

In 1851 the Great Exhibition had on display the Crystal Palace a structure completely made from glass. The crystal palace encouraged home owners everywhere to begin using glass windows for replacing the sheets of wood previously used as protection against the elements.

From the Romans version of windows to the modern day version of Plexiglas windows. The history of glass windows has progressed over the years. Stained glass has gone through small intricate pieces to elaborate works of art and the thick bulky pieces of glass for a window covering has gone from thin and easily damaged to Plexiglas.

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