Stained Glass is about creativity that is pure excitement, passion and yes fun satisfaction. It happens when you least expect it for some it happens while staying at a cottage at the beach. The salty air, seashells and interesting things lying on the beach spark creativity. StainedGlass art and craft is born every day in the souls of those in need to make something.

Creativity equals satisfaction. Creativity must be affordable and accessible to everyone.

Stained glass art is a passion yet at the same time a medium that people are drawn in by its textures, light and infinite colors. It is different from drawing, pottery, and other forms of art yet it fuses all other mediums to come up with a new way of viewing our world.

Sadly, many people who attend craft shows think of stained glass as a decorative craft. Often I will tell an acquaintance that I own a stained glass business and they automatically ask me if I could make them a sun catcher, lampshade, or maybe a sidelight. Most people don’t understand the cost of glass, foil, came and solder, not to mention the patina and use of tools and time.

Most who walk into Wal-Mart can find a stained glass lamp for $20. The problem is that they probably purchased something made in China and sadly made by someone who earned pennies just so big Wal-Mart could profit off of slave wages. Another concern is that due to a profit margin most who makes stained glass lamps or sun catchers must cut corners in the types of materials and the amount of materials they use.

It was mentioned recently by a stained glass artist in Roanoke, Virginia that they’ve been commissioned to fix stained glass pieces made in China and noticed that the pieces weren’t properly soldered. It comes down to that you get what you pay for.

Another strong association for many of us is religious art in church windows. These are all appealing and appropriate uses of stained glass, although lately I’ve noticed churches in Roanoke using opaque glass as opposed to translucent. It’s not a design just some pretty glass they thought they would hang.

It is exciting seeing contemporary stained glass art. Stained glass as a hobby is easy to learn, and it isn’t hard on the hands and lastly don’t take as long as say knitting. It’s a great hobby for retirement communities, home schooled children and aftercare programs. I’ve actually made stained glass panels with 10 children ages 9-13.

Like a painter, I explore light, color and texture. Like a sculptor, I create pieces that are both 3-dimensional in reality and also give the viewer a 3-dimensional illusion; and they are tactile – at a recent show, nearly everyone who stopped to look at my windows also touched them and felt the contours. Most people love glass, and are fascinated by its transparency or translucence, and the way it toys with light. Colors and textures float in it as though in free space, and shift with changes in the light source as though alive.

Most people love glass, and are fascinated by its transparency or translucence, and the way it toys with light. Colors and textures float in it as though in free space, and shift with changes in the light source as though alive.

Stained glass is often called an architectural art form, because it is usually a part of a building. However, the work can serve two distinct functions within the architectural setting. Some work is architectural in design, comprising abstract or geometrical features that are continuous with or reflect lines and shapes in other components of the building, or maybe modify the look of the world beyond the window. It is part of the architect’s try and creates a new place. The connection that the window in the wall of the building is not seen as a connection between outside and inside, but as a frame for art and the daylight is used to bring the image to life.

Glass of different degrees of transparency is used so objects or what is beyond the window may be visible through it. They become part of the work – dynamic because they are subject to different lighting conditions.

Stained Glass is enjoyable for those to look at its beauty, and miracle that the everyday person can make. So go out and get some glass and make something you don’t have to hang on your refrigerator but in your window.

See the world through light!

There is a growing trend for the more unique designed aquarium tank, such as the coffee table and bar table tanks; also the tower shaped tank is increasing in popularity due to its smaller area space. The demand for them will also depend on the water capacity. For home, you will find that aquarium tanks with a capacity ranging from 10 gallons to 60 gallons to be sufficient, while for offices or other industrial locations the tanks can be 100 gallons or more. Make sure that the aquarium you do ultimately decide on will fit suitably in your room.

Many of the tanks now come attached with filters and pumps already installed, making maintenance much easier. The tanks that are made from acrylic are much lighter and easier for shipping. They are best suited for the freshwater environments. However, it you are intending on keeping marine fish then you will need to add an additional filter. This can be more expensive than the traditional aquariums but is definitely more aesthetically pleasing.

Despite the more modern materials for building the aquarium tanks, many people still favour the glass tanks. This is mainly because glass is transparent and extremely strong. It also offers excellent pressure distribution within the aquarium. The natural blue-green tints of the glass also make the aquarium look more natural. The final advantage being that the glass tanks are cheaper.

In contrast, the tanks that are constructed from acrylic are lightweight and also can be easily moulded into the various different shapes and sizes. They offer the advantage of being scratch resistant and have much better clarity than the glass aquariums. The electric insulation provided on acrylic tanks is comparatively much better than that of glass and the tanks are easier to clean and polish. The only downside, when compared to glass, is the higher price.

Also, tank the time to look over the aquarium carefully to ensure that it does not have any scratches or cracks. This applies to both glass and acrylic tanks.

Make sure to take into consideration all the advantages and disadvantages of the glass and acrylic aquarium tanks before deciding on which tank to purchase.

France
The French were the most noted makers of stained glass for windows, and this was not only for their own churches but was sent abroad. Domestic glassware, as elsewhere, was of Venetian style and of no particular distinction. Nevers and Rouen had works at which were made small figures in colored and white glasses; some of them date to as early as about 1600 but many surviving specimens are later. Most of them have little individuality with which to establish their exact provenance, as they were made also in Germany, Italy and England.

It was at the end of the eighteenth century that French glass making began to develop, and factories were opened to make glass ‘in the manner and quality of England’; whence had come much that had been imported. A factory at Baccarat, near Luneville in 1765, was followed two years later by the Cristallerie deSt Louis , in Lorraine, and others who have remained less renowned came and went. The method was invented of enclosing white ceramic medallions in clear crystal, which gave the former an attractive silver appearance; paperweights, goblets, and other pieces were made with this type of ornamentation.

At the two factories mentioned above, and at a third in Clichy, were produced the paperweights of clear glass decorated within with colored ‘canes’ of the same material. Specimens with dates between 1845 and 1849 are found, and some are marked additionally with ‘B’ for Baccarat, ‘c’ for Clichy, and ‘SL’ forSt Louis . It should be mentioned that the dates on such examples are never set centrally, but always to one side and even than are often scarcely noticeable. Within the last few years much attention has been paid topaperweights from these factories , and their value has greatly appreciated. A very scarce specimen has fetched over $3,000, but less exotic ones can be purchased for a few dollars. It may be noted that they have been faked extensively. Commonplace copies with blurred colored ‘canes1 inside and centrally placed dates are easily recognized, but during the last ten years some extremely clever copies of rare specimens have been made.

China
While glass was known in China from the fifth century A.D., little is known about what was made and no early specimens have been identified with certainty. A glasshouse was started under the Emperor K’ang Hsi and again there is little positive information about the productions, but a number of pieces of experimental types have been assumed to date from that time. Later, in the reigns of Yung Cheng and Ch’ien Lung (together covering the years 1723 to 1795), pieces were made of opaque tinted glass. These pieces are noticeably heavy in weight in comparison with European examples, and the colors are distinctive and pleasing. Vases were made in the shape of monochrome-glazed porcelain of the periods, and with the surface polished on the wheel. Snuff-bottles and other pieces are found imitating remarkably closely the colour and texture of jade and other hard-stones. The Chinese mastered the technique of copying onyx and other layered stones by making articles of two layers of glass, cutting through one to reveal the contrasting colour of the other. Clear glass snuff-bottles were decorated in the nineteenth century by the tedious process of painting them on the inside surface by introducing a brush through the narrow neck opening.

French glassmakers decorated the glass with colors from within. The glasses of this country were marked and they would fetch high prices. While the French made paperweight the one the Chinese made were heavy in weight. And they have distinctive and pleasing colors.

Glass beads are usually categorized by the method used to manipulate the glass. Most fall into three main categories: wound, drawn, and moulded. There are composites, such as millefiori, where cross-sections of a drawn glass cane are applied to a wound glass core. A very minor industry in blownglass beads also existed in 19th century Venice and France.

It is believed that the Egyptians first used faience (a glazed fused quartz composite) but later developed the core, wound and mosaic methods of using glass to make beads and other decorations. They were the first culture to have glass-making guilds.

Glass beads, however, were not limited to the Egyptians in ancient times. There have been glass beads found in archaeological sites dated between 2,000BC and 10AD in both Austria and Switzerland.

In modern times, they have become a popular form of jewellery, especially in African cultures with necklaces,bracelets, and anklets made of these materials. They can be extremely colourful and bright, making them fashionable and popular in modern times for all cultures.

There are many types of beads and all are named according to the way they are made, including wound, drawn, moulded,lampwork, Dichroic, furnace and lead crystal.

The Types of glass used to construct these include rod, sheet, soda lime, lead, and borosilicate. The material chosen often depends on the hardness, colour, durability, and size required.

Nowadays the Czech Republic is a well-known and reputable producer of these object. Both online and in stores worldwide, Czech glass beads will be sold for a much high price on average than most other types of glass beads. These Czech pieces are often used in necklaces and bracelets and are sold in renowned jewellers across the globe. The Czech’s have a reputation for creating beautiful yet durableglass beads consistently.

Many people enjoy making their own jewellery . There are even stores where one can pay to make their own jewellery with glass beads that are provided for them. This has become a popular hobby for many people and has increased the recognition of glass beads across the world. In additon , Lampwork and other artictic craftybeads are back in vogue on the jewellery ciruit.

Auto glass windshields do not always have to be replaced because of a large chip or a crack. When a chip or crack appears the owners wonder if replacement is necessary. Many believe replacement is better than repairing. Insurance companies help this notion and often times send their clients to auto glass shops that recommend replacement. Why? Because replacement is a bigger profit than repairing. However, there are times when replacement is necessary. This decision also is dependent on other factors and problems that can be attributed to the vehicle being driven.

Auto glass windshield repair is usually the better option and has come a long way in recent years. It is less costly and can fix large chips and fairly long cracks in most cases. The repair is completed with a clear resin that when completed correctly retains the auto windshields strength and clarity. Also by repairing rather than replacing an auto glass the factory seal around the windshield is not breached, which can sometimes lead to other problems.

When it is necessary to replace the auto glass windshield of the vehicle make sure to find a preferably factory trained, qualified installer. There are many companies out there that do windshield installation, but they are not trained, they cut corners, and the results are that the driver and passengers could be in danger due to this neglect. If you discover you need a new auto glass windshield or the insurance company recommends one after an accident. Research several before making a decision, because the integrity of the vehicle is at stake.

Repairing an auto glass takes only a short time and can be completed and the vehicle ready for use the same day. Replacement of auto glass usually takes several days for the vehicle to be ready for regular and daily use. Therefore, many believe that unless it is absolutely necessary, repairing the auto glass is a much better idea.

In recent years the auto glass windshield has gone from being a windshield to being an integral part of the safety of the vehicle. This means that the auto glass windshield should not be compromised, nor should the repair or replacement of this piece of vehicle safety equipment. Be informed and know what is needed before deciding on repairing or replacing. Get several quotes and make an informed decision. The vehicle’s safety and the safety of the passengers insist on it.

Source: Free Articles

Glass is naturally formed when certain types of rocks melt as a result of high-temperatures such as volcanic eruptions, lightning strikes or the impact of meteorites, and then cools and solidify rapidly.

According to Roman historians they became aware of the existence of glass accidentally in the region of Syria around 5000 BC. This short history looks at the birth and evolution of man-made glass and the new developments in smart glass.

Glass beads are thought to be the earliest man-made glass they were mainly opaque and are thought to date back to around 3500 BC. They have been found in Egypt and Eastern Mesopotamia. The oldest fragments of glass vases date back to 1600 BC and were found in Mesopotamia.

Egyptian craftsmen are thought to have begun developing a method for producing glass pots around 1500 BC by dipping a core mould of compressed sand into molten glass and then turning the mould so that molten glass adhered to it. There is not much evidence of further advancement until the 900 BC. Over the following 500 years glass production centred on Alessandria from where it is thought to have spread to Italy.

The first glassmaking manual dates back to around 650 BC. A major breakthrough in glassmaking was the discovery of glassblowing some time between 27 BC and AD 14, attributed to Syrian craftsmen. The long thin metal tube used in the blowing process has changed very little since then.

The Romans spread glassmaking technologies the result of their conquests. During the reign of the emperor Augustus, glass objects began to appear throughout Italy, in France, Germany and Switzerland. It was the Romans who began to use glass for architectural purposes, with the discovery of clear glass. Cast glass windows with poor optical qualities began to appear in the most important buildings in.

Archaeological excavations on the island of Torcello near Venice, Italy, have unearthed objects from the late 7th and early 8th centuries which bear witness to the transition from ancient to early Middle Ages production of glass.

Towards the years 1000 AD significant changes in European glassmaking techniques took place. Given the difficulties in importing raw materials, soda glass was gradually replaced by glass made using the potash obtained from the burning of trees.

The 11th century saw the development by German glass craftsmen of a technique – then further developed by Venetian craftsmen in the 13th century – for the production of glass sheets. By blowing a hollow glass sphere and swinging it vertically, gravity would pull the glass into a cylindrical “pod” measuring as much as 3 metres long, with a width of up to 45 cm. While still hot, the ends of the pod were cut off and the resultant cylinder cut lengthways and laid horizontal. The panes thus created would then be joined with lead strips and pieced together to create windows. Glazing remained, however, a great luxury up to the late Middle Ages, with royal palaces and churches the most likely buildings to have glass windows. Stained glass windows reached their height as the Middle Ages drew to a close.

In 1688, in France, a new method was developed for the production of plate glass, principally for use in mirrors, whose optical merits had, until then, left much to be desired. The molten glass was poured onto a special table and rolled out flat. After cooling, the plate glass was ground on large round tables by means of rotating cast iron discs and increasingly fine abrasive sands, and then polished using felt disks. The result of this plate pouring process was flat glass with good optical transmission qualities. When coated on one side with a reflective metal high-quality mirrors could be produced.

It was not until the later stages of the Industrial Revolution that mechanical technology for mass production and in-depth scientific research into the relationship between the composition of glass and its physical qualities began to appear in the industry.

A key figure and one of the forefathers of contemporary glass research was the German scientist Otto Schott, who used scientific methods to study the effects of various chemical elements on the optical and thermal properties of glass. In the field of optical glass, Schott teamed up with Ernst Abbe, to make important technological advances.

In the production of flat glass the first real innovation came in 1905 when a Belgian, (Fourcault), managed to vertically draw a continuous sheet of glass of a consistent width from the tank. Commercial production of sheet glass using the Fourcault process eventually got under way in 1914. An off-shoot of evolution in flat glass production was the strengthening of glass by means of lamination.

The float process developed after 1945 by Pilkington combined the brilliant finish of sheet glass with the optical qualities of plate glass.

Now glass production has taken another great leap forward, privacy glass is the newest and currently most upmarket glass available. With only a touch of a remote control or the turn of a dial the glass can be made to change opacity. New glass windows on office blocks can be set to let in less light as the sun becomes stronger saving on air-conditioning costs.

During the last 5500 years glass has come a long way and we just take it for granted now.

Source: articlesbase.com