Hi there.
This weekend has seen a monumental leap forward. I have now moved to the Design2Glass website. This is a hugely exciting development. Come along with me on my new journey at Design2Glass.co.uk
Sunday 25 October 2009
Friday 23 October 2009
Design: Glass Considerations
I had spent a very enjoyable time at Tempsford Stained Glass and had finally settled upon two pieces of glass.
Sorted then. Well... no. There were still decisions to be made. There were also the parameters that I had set myself for the design.
I wanted the colours and 'waves' in the glass to flow naturally in the finished piece. I needed to decide which part of the glass would best suit the flow of lines in my design. Youghiogheny glass has a waxy appearance. The part of the glass with the most waxy appearance was that part devoid of colour. I also wanted to make the most of the most dramatic part of the glass. There would be no margins for error.
Also to consider was the texture of the glass. I want the finished design to be highly tactile. The texture on the reverse of the Youghiogheny glass was really interesting. However, the colours on the reverse were less vibrant. I needed to think carefully. Working on the reverse would have an implication for placement of the pattern pieces. In addition, I also needed to consider how I was going to use my Uruboros glass. The ripple backed glass was not going to be an easy cutting option. I had bought a larger piece of glass than I needed to take account of cutting errors. I still wanted the gradation of colour to appear natural in the shapes that I had highlighted for the second piece of glass. I spent a considerable amount of time with the glass and cartoon just exploring the options. Eventually the plan became clear.
Sorted then. Well... no. There were still decisions to be made. There were also the parameters that I had set myself for the design.
I wanted the colours and 'waves' in the glass to flow naturally in the finished piece. I needed to decide which part of the glass would best suit the flow of lines in my design. Youghiogheny glass has a waxy appearance. The part of the glass with the most waxy appearance was that part devoid of colour. I also wanted to make the most of the most dramatic part of the glass. There would be no margins for error.
Also to consider was the texture of the glass. I want the finished design to be highly tactile. The texture on the reverse of the Youghiogheny glass was really interesting. However, the colours on the reverse were less vibrant. I needed to think carefully. Working on the reverse would have an implication for placement of the pattern pieces. In addition, I also needed to consider how I was going to use my Uruboros glass. The ripple backed glass was not going to be an easy cutting option. I had bought a larger piece of glass than I needed to take account of cutting errors. I still wanted the gradation of colour to appear natural in the shapes that I had highlighted for the second piece of glass. I spent a considerable amount of time with the glass and cartoon just exploring the options. Eventually the plan became clear.
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Glass
The choice of glass for my new project is crucial. It will not be back lit as it's to be mounted in a frame to hang on a wall. Clearly, the glass that I use has to be of an opaque nature, with interesting patterning within the glass. Texture should also play an important part.
It was with this in mind that I visited my favourite stained glass supplier at Tempsford. I had thought originally that I might use a very dark black baroque glass with a vibrant red glass as a contrast. It would make a mark and stand out from the crowd.
Baroque glass has the advantage of being textured in a swirly wave kind of way. The sort of glass that you would be tempted to touch and run your fingers over. A truly sensory glass. I had used this type of glass before in a previous project to great effect. During the assembly I had run my fingers over it and got down to eye level with it to ensure that the curves in the glass naturally followed on as in the original piece of glass. There had been no room for mistakes.
On discovering that the piece of glass that I had envisaged was not available, I had to have a major rethink. Fortunately I had taken a provisional cartoon with me. I spotted a beautiful piece of red patterned glass, but was unable to find another piece of glass that would suit both it and my design.
I finally settled on a fabulous piece of Youghiogheny glass in shades of green. The other glass that I selected was a ripple backed Uroboros art glass. The advantage of both of these glasses are that they are unique. In production they are hand ladled and hand mixed which means that even if the glass has the same code number, each sheet is different.
Another customer looked admiringly at the Youghiogheny glass and suggested that she would be tempted to 'put it in a frame just as it was'. I knew I had found the right piece.
It was with this in mind that I visited my favourite stained glass supplier at Tempsford. I had thought originally that I might use a very dark black baroque glass with a vibrant red glass as a contrast. It would make a mark and stand out from the crowd.
Baroque glass has the advantage of being textured in a swirly wave kind of way. The sort of glass that you would be tempted to touch and run your fingers over. A truly sensory glass. I had used this type of glass before in a previous project to great effect. During the assembly I had run my fingers over it and got down to eye level with it to ensure that the curves in the glass naturally followed on as in the original piece of glass. There had been no room for mistakes.
On discovering that the piece of glass that I had envisaged was not available, I had to have a major rethink. Fortunately I had taken a provisional cartoon with me. I spotted a beautiful piece of red patterned glass, but was unable to find another piece of glass that would suit both it and my design.
I finally settled on a fabulous piece of Youghiogheny glass in shades of green. The other glass that I selected was a ripple backed Uroboros art glass. The advantage of both of these glasses are that they are unique. In production they are hand ladled and hand mixed which means that even if the glass has the same code number, each sheet is different.
Another customer looked admiringly at the Youghiogheny glass and suggested that she would be tempted to 'put it in a frame just as it was'. I knew I had found the right piece.
Monday 19 October 2009
A New Project
The cartoon for the new project is all drawn out.
Having experimented with several variations on a theme, I settled on a design. Scaling up always seems tricky, ensuring that the curves are exactly as you had intended them in the original drawing. After much rubbing out of lines and redrawing, I was finally satisfied. I coloured in the areas that were to be the accent colours and traced over the pencil markings with a thick felt tip pen.
Friday 12 June 2009
Complete
I thought I would share the completed panel with you. Obviously it now needs to be fitted, so I will be able to show before and after photographs.
Tuesday 9 June 2009
Finished!
At last... I've finished it. The panel that I've had planned and designed for months.
I've spent the afternoon soldering the second side and cementing and cleaning up.
I can't wait to get it fitted into the door.
I've spent the afternoon soldering the second side and cementing and cleaning up.
I can't wait to get it fitted into the door.
Saturday 6 June 2009
Tricky
The middle section of the panel has been quite tricky.
So many of the pieces cannot finally be put in place until later pieces have been adjusted. Then add in the insertion of the 'globs', fitting snugly.
As I am aiming for sweeping lead lines, these have had to take priority. The lead has often totally encircled pieces of glass, requiring several pieces of glass to be adjusted and fitted simultaneously.
It has been well worth taking the time to get it as I want it.
I'm now on the home straight as far as leading up is concerned.
So many of the pieces cannot finally be put in place until later pieces have been adjusted. Then add in the insertion of the 'globs', fitting snugly.
As I am aiming for sweeping lead lines, these have had to take priority. The lead has often totally encircled pieces of glass, requiring several pieces of glass to be adjusted and fitted simultaneously.
It has been well worth taking the time to get it as I want it.
I'm now on the home straight as far as leading up is concerned.
Friday 5 June 2009
Sneak preview
I thought I would just let you have a little peak.
I'm much further on than this.
Blood has been spilt ... finger ends are a little sore... , but it's coming on a treat.
I'm much further on than this.
Blood has been spilt ... finger ends are a little sore... , but it's coming on a treat.
Thursday 4 June 2009
Magnifying
Today I am going to have some more time to do my glass work.
A new departure has been to incorporate some glass 'globs' in my work. I wanted to create the sense of 'bubbles' and movement in the transparent panel to add some fizz.
The globs also have the effect of magnifying images that appear behind them. Their true beauty will not reveal themselves until the panel is finished. I've spent a lot of time with my eyes down at bench level looking along at the textures that are within the glass, trying to see the effects that my glass choices are making.
A new departure has been to incorporate some glass 'globs' in my work. I wanted to create the sense of 'bubbles' and movement in the transparent panel to add some fizz.
The globs also have the effect of magnifying images that appear behind them. Their true beauty will not reveal themselves until the panel is finished. I've spent a lot of time with my eyes down at bench level looking along at the textures that are within the glass, trying to see the effects that my glass choices are making.
Tuesday 2 June 2009
Transparent
I'm very excited as I've started the panel for a back door. The room needs as much natural light in it as possible, so I've decided to design a piece made with clear glass. The beauty of the piece will come from the variety of glass used and the curves and sweeps of the lead lines.
A little of the glass from my 'Manchester' purchase has been used. I've used the natural pattern in the baroque glass to good effect, so that even the most transparent of the glass will have interesting pattern in it. Lots of concave curves coming to elegant vertices have made cutting the glass a pleasure.
It's all cut out and a start on the leading has been made. Pure joy!
A little of the glass from my 'Manchester' purchase has been used. I've used the natural pattern in the baroque glass to good effect, so that even the most transparent of the glass will have interesting pattern in it. Lots of concave curves coming to elegant vertices have made cutting the glass a pleasure.
It's all cut out and a start on the leading has been made. Pure joy!
Saturday 30 May 2009
Restoration
No, not some comedy... or a time in the C17th.
Complete! The semi - circular panel that had been brought for my attention.
I thought I was going to have to make do with some new glass. But no... my purchase was stunning. I didn't need to have the original glass with me, as soon as I saw it I knew it was a perfect match. Needless to say the purchase exceeded my expectations.
I suspect that the glass I needed was the book equivalent of being 'out of print'.
I had already taken the measurements, made a pattern piece and cleaned up two pieces of the original glass in readiness. Two of my new damaged panels were ideal to make good the semicircular panel. All the glass in it got a good clean up at the end and the leads blackened.
I hope, one happy client.
I've started the project I have had planned since the winter.
Complete! The semi - circular panel that had been brought for my attention.
I thought I was going to have to make do with some new glass. But no... my purchase was stunning. I didn't need to have the original glass with me, as soon as I saw it I knew it was a perfect match. Needless to say the purchase exceeded my expectations.
I suspect that the glass I needed was the book equivalent of being 'out of print'.
I had already taken the measurements, made a pattern piece and cleaned up two pieces of the original glass in readiness. Two of my new damaged panels were ideal to make good the semicircular panel. All the glass in it got a good clean up at the end and the leads blackened.
I hope, one happy client.
I've started the project I have had planned since the winter.
Thursday 21 May 2009
Hull!
I shall be travelling up to Hull to collect some glass that I've had my eyes on for a little while. Eleven panels of art deco 1930s stained glass, in need of some repair and TLC. The owners had wanted to mend them and incorporate them within a double glazed sealed unit, but they were obviously quoted a pretty hefty price and decided that they would not go ahead. It's such a shame that original features are being ripped out left, right and centre.
If nothing else it will enable me to build up a bank of old glass to make repairs with. I shall get to see the provenance of it too!
Not sure when I'm going yet.
If nothing else it will enable me to build up a bank of old glass to make repairs with. I shall get to see the provenance of it too!
Not sure when I'm going yet.
Saturday 16 May 2009
Started
I'm still waiting for the glass to arrive, but I've made a start.
The workspace is now completely organised. Photographs, tracings and measurements have been made. The lead knife has been sharpened and is ready for action.
It didn't take long to make the cuts on the old lead where the glass panels would have to be replaced. Only when you start to disassemble the piece, do you start to understand how a piece has been put together. Although relatively small, my new project has an horizontal steel concealed within the piece to strengthen it.
I've cleaned up an intact piece of glass, taken a measurement for a broken piece and made a pattern piece for an irregular shape with a curved edge. I've also taken out a fourth piece of glass as the lead containing it was not in great shape.
I've also had a little go at cleaning up one or two of the other leads in readiness.
Ready.
Thursday 30 April 2009
The Surprise
On my return home yesterday I was informed that there was a surprise waiting for me in the sitting room.
'A surprise?'
I thought about what it could be. I hadn't, as far as I could recollect, ordered anything. Normally a book would have been with the rest of the post. There was nothing outstanding. So what was it?
It was lovely - a semi-circular stained glass panel - probably from a house. A couple of panels had been damaged and patched up with a piece of plastic. It needed a bit of TLC.
Great - just what I had needed to get me back into my workspace. I shall have to do the preliminary tracings and take photos again. I would love to know where it calls its home.
'A surprise?'
I thought about what it could be. I hadn't, as far as I could recollect, ordered anything. Normally a book would have been with the rest of the post. There was nothing outstanding. So what was it?
It was lovely - a semi-circular stained glass panel - probably from a house. A couple of panels had been damaged and patched up with a piece of plastic. It needed a bit of TLC.
Great - just what I had needed to get me back into my workspace. I shall have to do the preliminary tracings and take photos again. I would love to know where it calls its home.
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