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EGA is in the Hill Country Observer, an indie newspaper for eastern New York, southwestern Vermont, and the Berkshires in Massachusetts. The gorgeous lampwork beads are by Amanda of Rufus and Roxy. Check it out in the newspaper here.

I wanted to take a minute and explain about the copper foil technique, utilized mainly in free hanging stained glass pieces. The process was invented either by Louis Comfort Tiffany, or John La Farge, back near the turn of the century. (They were apparently rivals, and although most sources credit Tiffany with the invention of the copper foil technique, I’ve been told by a couple of people that it may have been La Farge). Originally, small, even widths of copper were cut, and applied to the edges of the cut glass with beeswax. It functioned like tape, and since copper can be soldered - Voila! A new way to build stained glass panels was born. Nowadays, the copper tape comes sticky - no beeswax necessary - but it is still wrapped around the edges of the glass, and covered with solder.

Unfortunately, a lot of people making stained glass with copper foil didn’t cut their teeth where I did - on real, live Tiffany windows. One of the things you learn from a Tiffany window is how to solder copper foil correctly - after all, the copper foil sections of his windows are generally in pretty good shape, even after a century. So how do you tell if a copper foil stained glass piece is well-made? Here are a couple of things to look for: First, I want you to try and see where the tape meets itself - there is a tiny bit of overlap where this happens. In a quality piece, you won’t be able to spot this, because the artist has built up enough of a solder bead to cover this juncture. See, copper foil is kind of like tin foil - it doesn’t have a lot of shear strength. But, when it is properly coated with a nice solder bead - when the edges of the piece look slightly rounded, even though the edge of the glass is square - the solder provides the strength needed to hold the piece together for, well, a century or more.

Another indicator of a well built copper foil stained glass piece is when any hanging implements - hooks, wires, loops, etc - are stuck well into the solder. Here’s a photo of what it ought to look like. If you can see the outline of the hook, wire, etc, stuck on the back or sides of the foil, that’s not necessarily a good thing. What it comes down to is this, really: Solder is not cheap, and the artist willing to use enough of it to cover tape ends and sink hook ends properly is probably intent on selling you a quality product that should last until your kids or grandkids inherit it.

If the piece is framed by lead (it will have a smooth, milled looking finish - see the photo below - and have solder joints at the intersections) this isn’t necessarily something to avoid purchasing, however, you should keep in mind two things: One, lead is inelastic, so if it’s a hanging panel, gravity will subsequently cause it to droop over a period of time. Therefore, if you have a long run of lead that is not interspersed about every inch to 2 inches by a solder line, the lead will gradually (over a period of a few years or more) show the ravages of gravity upon it, and begin to droop off or pull away from the edges of the glass. If the piece is completely constructed with lead, then it really ought to be in a frame. You’ll just be frustrated down the road when your piece needs repaired, because the artist forced the lead to support a stained glass panel with no rigid exterior support, such as a wooden or metal frame. Secondly, if you are considering purchasing a piece framed in lead, make sure that the hanging mechanism (hook, hoop, wire, etc.) is completely sunk into the solder seam, like this:

If it’s attached solely to the lead, consider buying a different piece, or shop with a different artist.

Last but not least, you should generally avoid pieces where the artist has left an intentional interior angle (typically about 100 degrees or less) that is unbroken by a solder line. Please note - I modified the following photograph on photoshop to show an example of what to AVOID, because glass generally breaks in a straight line, and anyone who features an interior angle that is not broken by a solder line has most likely cut the piece on a bandsaw.

You cannot cut this kind of angle by hand. I don’t own a bandsaw because I was taught by old time glass guys who insisted if one of them couldn’t cut the piece by hand, then it was liable to break in the window at the same place it kept breaking on them in the studio.

Here’s what the piece ought to look like:

I hope that this has been helpful. One of my professional goals about stained glass is to educate people about it, and de-mystify it for them. I’ve spoken to several church committees over the years about the condition of their stained glass windows, and from that I’ve learned that if it can be broken down into plain terms, people are much less likely to hire a stained glass studio that will contract unnecessary work. I feel that the basics have a huge crossover application into the gift and hobby market as well, as the size of the piece may change but the simple rules of physics when dealing with glass, lead and copper foil remain the same.

If you have some stained glass art, such as a panel or suncatcher, and have been wondering on how to care for it - here are some tips to keep it looking bright and new.

#1 The less you handle it, the better!
Oils from your fingers and unsightly smudges will get your glasswork dingy in no time. If you need to handle it, try holding it only by the edges or by the chain or cord. This will also help prevent undo stress on any joints, especially in 3D objects.

#2 Start with the mildest form of cleaning
Keep your glasswork dusted lightly from time to time. Often, this is all that will be needed. If you do need to get off a few smudges, use crumpled newspaper to gently buff out them out. If that isn’t enough, a slightly damp (preferably one that won’t shed fibers) cloth should work just fine. Try only to use distilled water, as hard water can create unsightly spots.

#3 If grime persists, use mild detergents/cleansers that contain no ammonia or vinegar, and have no abrasives
Mild dish soap used sparingly should work great for some more stubborn grunge or you can try glass cleansers. Please be aware that products that are acidic will not react well with the lead (either came or solder) and some types of glass, causing undo aging and pitting. I recommend Sparkle Glass Cleaner - it’s tough but non-harmful to stained glass and lead. If the lead is dingy or oxidizing (a white powdery substance) you can use a little baking soda mixed with distilled water and a soft toothbrush to lightly scrub the solder or lead came. Make sure to dry your glass piece thoroughly.

#4 Glass wax & polishing is optional, if above tips are followed
Many artisans use glass wax products to both clean and add luster to finished pieces. These products are often available at hardware stores, but remember - follow the directions carefully if you choose to do this. If you follow the above tips, you should not need to resort to wax polish products.

Question :  I am new at lampwork bead making, and in my many searches on the computer I came across a site that had (small) molds or presses. I thought the site was Itsy Bitsy something, but now I can’t seem to find it again even though I bookmarked it. Do you know of any site like this?   Please help !                                                                       Asked by Dianna

The presses you’re thinking of are from http://zooziis.com according to our lampworking  artists.  Have fun!                                                   

                                                                                                         Answered by Susan of susansheehan and Michael of protege

We’re happy to announce the  Etsy Glass Artists Spring Sale is going on from April 28th through May 5th

Check out participating EGA shops at http://etsyglass.com/springsale/ to browse through each shop’s offerings ~ here is a list of the participating shops (each is running their own sale, so check it out!)

Dee http://willowglass.etsy.com
Lis http://liskidder.etsy.com
Michelle http://shoozles.etsy.com
Jo http://dogmawglass.etsy.com
Susan http://susansheehan.etsy.com
Amanda http://rufusandroxy.etsy.com
Marcy http://StudioMarcy.etsy.com
Kristy http://chickadeebeads.etsy.com
Leah http://LeahPellegrini.etsy.com
Rhonda http://RWillisGlassArtist.etsy.com
Cari http://monkeyblues.etsy.com
Pam O. http://psodesign.etsy.com
Carol http://glasscat.etsy.com
Paula http://paulasstressart.etsy.com
Pam D. http://MyCabinCreations.etsy.com
Mandy http://prizmatic.etsy.com
Wendy http://wendylee.etsy.com
Sheryl http://jochris12.etsy.com
Crystal http://popko.etsy.com
Poppy http://groovyglassgirl.etsy.com
Molly http://msotherdenartglass.etsy.com
Vicki http://vickileigh.etsy.com
Kris http://creationsbykris.etsy.com
Amanda and James http://blackriverbeads.etsy.com
Lyn http://artemislampwork.etsy.com
Mary http://SierraArtGlass.etsy.com

In the spirit of encouraging EGA members to collaborate on glass projects with each other, Paula McDonough, of The Venerable Bead created the second of a series of necklaces based on the Titanic. Incorporated in the design are her signature vintage skeleton keys around which she has created a boro glass bead, vintage charms and one of my little vessels. Click here to see her listing description, which is just as beautiful as the necklace!

So far, this spring has been one of those crazy-busy times for me this year. I really enjoy participating in art challenges/contests mostly because they tend to push me outside my comfort zone that I all-too-often find myself locked into. I actually enjoy working outside that comfort zone; I just never go there voluntarily. I always need that extra added push to get me there. Well, recently I got involved with a challenge and a contest, neither of which I wanted to pass up! 

The Challenge
This would be the Etsy Glass Artist’s Monthly Challenge. This time the theme was Rebirth, and with my Spring Fever kicking into high gear I had all sorts of ideas churning through my head. I just needed focus on one and give it that something extra to really make it different and have it stand out. 

The Contest
The contest comes from a webcomic that I read called Friendly Hostility. The artist, K. Sandra Fuhr, was celebrating her 500^th comic strip by having the contest. Entries could be in any medium. Sketches, paintings, sculpture, food, short stories, music, or anything else you could think of. It could be entered as long as it had something to do with the comic and there were plenty of characters, situations, and stories to be picked from. 

The Solution
As my partner knows all-too-well, I really enjoy watching those old campy sci-fi/horror films from the 50’s and 60’s. As it turns out, there was a brief resurgence of them on TV during the recent writer’s strike. Late one night when I couldn’t sleep I caught the end of one of my favorites from when I was a kid (and damn near made me pee my pants at the time!) called Day Of The Triffids. It was a beautiful story about all mankind going blind while watching a nearby comet and a herd of mad scientist’s walking man-eating plants called Triffids escaping and feasting on the newly-blinded population.

As it turns out, Friendly Hostility has a Triffid in it as well. This one isn’t the vicious man-eater like in the movie. It’s still young and small and everyone thinks it’s cute despite the fact that they all know that one day it’ll turn into 7’ tall ravenous man-eater. Currently it gets taken for walks in the park where I’m sure it eats birds, squirrels, and unattended small pets.

Making a glass Triffid would be a real challenge for me. I only had a few black & white sketches from the comic to go by and I had never really done glass sculpture before. I began by creating all the individual components I would need. I ended up making 22 leaves, 3 legs, 3 branches, 1 stem, 1 flower, and 1 tongue. Then I realized that once I started putting it all together, it wouldn’t fit in my kiln! So I ended up buying some torch time at a local glass shop called Flametree Glass so I could assemble everything there and pop it into one of their much larger kilns. Assembling took longer than I thought, and the weight of all that glass was starting to kill my wrist! The entire time I’m putting it all together there were countless pops and cracks I had to repair as they occurred (assuming I could find them!).

 

 

Despite a few setbacks and a lot of frustration, the Triffid finally got done! I submitted it to both the contest and the challenge. If it weren’t for both the contest and the challenge, I don’t think the Triffid sculpture would have happened. I would have probably never ventured onto new territory like this. 

Oh yeah, the results? The people at EGA challenge loved the Triffid. The point of the challenge is to force people to explore their creative imagination and talent, and that’s certainly what I did here. At the Friendly Hostility contest, I ended up with first place!   

Links ‘n Stuff:

Friendly Hostility

 
Friendly Hostility’s not your thing? Try Sandra’s other webcomic, 5ideways! 

Apr

20

A Series of Ten Panel - Three Lines and a Circle

Filed Under Member News | 1 Comment
April 20th, 2008 by vickileigh

 

OK - I was watching the old Tom Sellek movie “Three Men and a Baby” the other evening and was inspired to make a series of ten stained glass panels.

Please don’t ask me how watching that corny movie about three bachelors and a baby gave me inspiration for circles of stained glass because I couldn’t answer you.

I’m just running with the inspiration and I’ll see where it takes me.

Using only three lines and a circle I’ve been playing with patterns, colors, textures and images of stained glass panels. Trying to open  up my creative mind and allow curved, straight and wavy lines combined with any size circle.

Watch to the weeks ahead for additional photographs of this series of ten.

Apr

13

Glass Art Mixed Media

Filed Under Projects | 1 Comment
April 13th, 2008 by Shoozles

Expand your creativity- make art for your home with your fused glass. I love mixing glass with my other loves of art, like paper and fabric, polymer clay, beads, charms and paint, it all makes me happy. Don’t be afraid to take that fused glass further than just the standard jewelry or plates, think outside the box. Have fun exploring new ways to use glass mixing it with your favorite art elements.

What you will need
your fused glass focal piece
fabric
deep frame
glue E600
paper
embellishments
scissors
imagination

This piece was made with a fused glass house that was the focal piece. I stared out with about 35-40 of these little houses all different sizes. I then took some handmade recycled paper that I made and some very cool star fabric from my scrap stash. I always lay the elements out for placement before I begin to glue them down. I glue the pieces with strong adhesive. E6000 works well with the fabric, paper and glass. I glue all the pieces to the base of the cardboard or wooden frame and trim it so it will fit properly back into the frame. It’s really up to your imagination.
How fun is that? Now you have a nice little piece of art for your house or apartment.

Remember to mix it up folks.

Apr

13

Mother’s Day Tea & Bead - May 3rd

Filed Under Member News | Leave a Comment
April 13th, 2008 by beckycongdon

Please join me, Becky Congdon, (beckycongdon.etsy.com) , lampwork glass artist & EGA member, at South Bristol Cultural Center (Canandaigua, NY), on Saturday, May 3rd, for “Mother’s Day Tea & Bead”. I will give a presentation about how I create my intricate beads. Then you will have the opportunity to use my pre-made glass beads to make a pair of orchid earrings or an orchid pendant on an adjustable Chinese knot necklace. Tea & cupcakes will be served!

For more information and to reserve your space, please call (585) 229-7622. Hope to see you soon!