Glass Patterns Quarterly®

Fall 2011

The Fall 2011 Issue. Letter from the Editor by Maureen James A reminder that handmade gifts created in glass are the best gifts of all. This issue of Glass Patterns Quarterly is filled with a fabulous array of holiday projects for Halloween and Christmas giving that cover everything from beginning to advanced stained glass, mosaics, casting, enameling, metal clay, and etching. GPQ Fall 2011 Gallery Showcasing the Designs of Eight Outstanding Artists and Hobbyists A collection of panels, painted tiles, and unique ideas for glass. Featured in this gallery are traditional and contemporary stained glass designs, painted tiles, sparkling suncatchers, a fused snowman panel, and stained glass birthday cake candles decorated with family photos. Tricks of the Trade—Taming the Elusive, Disappearing Guideline by Joseph E. Godek of Chippaway Art Glass Tips for using graphite pencils to mark guidelines. By going over the score lines on glass pieces before grinding to shape, tiny microscopic graphite particles become embedded in the lines and only disappear when the glass is ground right up to the score for a perfectly cut and shaped piece. Floral Harvest Mosaic Mirror Design and Fabrication by Alyssa Phiel Text and Photography by Alexandra Berger A floral glass mosaic mirror border. The design is drawn directly onto the particleboard substrate and darkened with a marker pen. Glass tesserae are cut using mosaic nippers and adhered to the design. Grout is then applied and the mirror is installed to provide the finishing touches. Combing Glass in the Kiln Design, Fabrication, and Text by Kevin Tappin A 7‑1/2" x 7‑1/2" square tile created by combing fused glass strips. Strips of glass are cut from various colors and arranged according to the color palette, then wrapped with fiber paper and kiln-fired. A combing rod makes it possible to swirl the heated glass to create various patterns in the glass for the finished piece. Egyptian Offerings Design by Laurel Nelson, Text by Darlene Welch A 13" x 20" stained glass panel with ancient Egyptian design. The panel captures a glimpse into the world of ancient Egypt with this highly stylized and symbolic depiction of the types of drawings found in the pyramids. This project was constructed using the copper foil technique. Business Cardholders—An Introduction to Stained Glass Design, Fabrication, and Text by Joanne and Frank Floyd A 3-5" x 5-1/2" glass business cardholder made from simple glass cuts. Beginners can gain experience cutting straight lines with this project, which is made by soldering various widths of glass strips into a box shape designed to fit business cards. Decorative solder plus brass or glass decorative ornaments are used to add the finishing touches. This project was constructed using the copper foil technique. Spooky Bats and Jack-O’-Lantern Candleholder Design by Terra Parma, Text by Darlene Welch A set of 7" x 5" stained glass bat suncatchers and a 10" x 8" cat and carved pumpkin candleholder. These designs would make the perfect Halloween gift or addition to anyone’s fall decor. Careful glass selection and the addition of painted details help to create the realism and three-dimensional look of these designs. This project was constructed using the copper foil technique. Holiday Treasures Designs by Evamarie and Volker Volkmann, Text by Ruth L. Dobbins A set of 9" x 11" angel, 8" x 8" snowman, and 8" x 10" Santa stocking panels. These panels provide glass enthusiasts with beautiful patterns to use for their gift giving or for perfect additions to their own Christmas decor. Choose from trumpeting angels, a whimsical snowman with his bluebird friend, or a stocking featuring a portrait of Santa. This project was constructed using the copper foil technique. Naughty and Nice Design, Fabrication, and Text by Leslie Gibbs A set of 2" x 3‑1/2" fused Christmas stockings. The shapes are cut, ground, and personalized using a gold paint pen. The white glass trim makes the red of the stockings appear even more bright, and black glass pieces are used for the coal at the top of the “naughty” stocking. The addition of hooks means that these holiday pieces can be hung on the tree or anyplace else where a little bit of Christmas is welcome. 16-Page Full-Size Pattern Section Oh, Yes, We Can Design, Fabrication, and Text by Leslie Gibbs A set of 4‑1/2" x 5" fused gingerbread figures decorated with glass frit. The main glass pieces are sealed with clear fusible glass cut to the same shape, then decorated by mixing fine frit or powder with liquid stringer medium and applying the designs using a squeeze bottle. A bail can be attached to the back of the figures for hanging. Creating a Mask Pendant with PMC Silver and Colored Enamels Design, Fabrication, and Text by Mary Ann and Ken Devos Photography by Ken Devos A PMC3 metal clay mask pendant enhanced with enamel paints. The clay is rolled out to a slab that is approximately 2 mm thick and pressed with lace to create a surface pattern. The mask and clay bail are then formed and facial details are added using a PMC3 syringe. The fired piece is finally polished and painted with enamels before the final firing. Tips for successfully working with enamels are included. Photo Resist—How New Technology Helps Celebrate 400 Years of History Design, Fabrication, and Text by Ruth L. Dobbins Photography by Damian Romero Creating multiple commemorative etched ornaments. Instructions for creating production work for etched ornaments include tips for preparing and applying the resist to each ornament, using a Letralite for exposing the resist, applying stencils, and attaching the clasps that fit the holes for hanging the finished pieces. The Kiln Corner—Electrical Basics by Arnold Howard Photography by Chance Agrella The importance of using the correct wiring and voltage for kiln outlets. This question-and-answer column covers the difference between 220 and 240 volts, the preference for copper wiring over aluminum, and the importance of having a circuit with a safety grounding wire for use with kilns. Enhancing Glass Pendants with Aluminum-Based Foil by Barry Kaiser Fusing with aluminum-based foils to decorate glass jewelry. Information is included on the various types of foil available, using dome epoxy to add aluminum foil to glass, tips for successful cutting of the foil, and the techniques required to finish glass jewelry decorated with the foil. Dalle de Verre and Decorative Solder—Creating Three-Dimensional Shadow Art Design and Fabrication by Mark Jennings Text and Photography by Marcy Roberts An 8‑1/2" x 11" dalle de verre harvest scarecrow panel. Depth and interest are created in this three-dimensional piece using dalle de verre glass with sheet foil as a base for the layers of decorative soldering that are used to create the sculpted design. The use of dalle de verre instead of sheet glass means that no rheostat is required to regulate the soldering iron due to the thickness of the glass. What’s New Stained Glass Supply Shops Advertisers’ Index

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