Etching the glassware.

Glass etching is a style  of glass decoration with frosted design. This can be done by etching cream or sand blasting or with acid as done earlier,but etching cream is less messy than sandblasting, and is the preferred way to add decorate small pieces of glassware, such as wine glasses,goblets,beermugs . Here are  the steps to etch a personalized design onto your glassware.

Things You Need:

• Etching cream(available from major crafts stores)
• Glassware
• Stencil(either get one from arts n crafts store or make your own at home)
• Disposable gloves.
• Bucket of  warm water
• Safety glasses
• Glass cleaner
• Dish cleaner 
• Paper towels
• Masking tape
• Foam brush

Method:

1. Wash the glassware you are going to etch with glass cleaner and dry it completely with the paper towel before placing the stencil.
2. Carefully place the stencil on the glassware.If you have made your own stencil then stick it to the glassware with the masking tape properly,else stick the stencil to the glassware with the adhesive side of the stencil  to the glassware.  
3. Put on your gloves. Using the foam brush, apply a thick, even amount of etching cream onto the design area.
4. Wait for 15-20 minutes.
5. Carefully wipe off the etching cream with paper towel after 20 minutes,and dispose the paper towel properly as etching cream is very acidic and harmful if comes in contact with the skin.
6. Remove the gloves,and wash the etched glass with warm water and dish cleaner so as to remove any residue of etching cream.
7. Remove the stencil and finally clean the glassware with glass cleaner and paper towel.
8. There you go,glass etching is complete and the glassware is beautifully etched,enjoy your creation.

Mosaic Clay Pots

 

Things You Need:

• Clay Pot
• Clay pot sealer
• Cut pieces of a glass/tiles(colored or clear)
• Beads or stones(for additional touch,optional)
• Mosaic glue
• Transparent color(available from arts and crafts shop)
• Adhesive glue(you can get from any hardware store )
• Thin marker(for tracing the design on the pot)
• Sanded Grout
• Acrylic Paints
• tweezers 
• 
  Sponge
• Water 
• Hand gloves

Method:

1. Spray the clay pot with sealer and let it dry for 24 hours.
2. If you want your moaic to be patterned, then trace the template on the clay pot with the thin marker,else skip this step.
3. Start sticking the glass/tile  mosaics and deacorative beads or stones to the clay pot with the adhesive glue, randomly or following the pattern of your design.
We are going to use grout here,so,stick the mosaics at some distance.
After sticking all the cut pieces of glass and decorative beads or stones,let the glue dry properly.
If u didn't use colored  glass for mosaic,then,using transparent paints you can add color to the clear glass pieces yourself.
Choose the colors you want to fill in from transparent glass paints pack and adjust the consistency of paints by adding lacquer thinner.
When you are satisfied with the shade and consistency,paint the cut pieces of glass as in http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/09/stained-glass.html.
Let the paint dry completely.
If you are using white tile pieces and want to add colors to the tile mosaics,then you may color the tile mosaics with acryllic colors.
Now,it is time to add grout.
For making the grout,take 1 cup of sanded grout and add in it,the glue and acrylic paint,just enough to make the thick consistency.
Mix it well,it is better to wear gloves and use your hands so that no sand is left dry and also you can feel large bits of sand and can remove them.
Carefully,take small amount of grout and spread on yourclay pot design,adding more gradually, as you require.
Don't press the grout too hard else it will be shown under the mosaic.
Cover the whole pot with grout,if your mosaics are completely scattered,else just cover the template.  
Once the grouting is complete,remove the excess grout with the wet sponge,redo it till all excessive grout is removed,this will require great effort and care.
Please be patient and continue removing the grout with the sponge,do not put it under running water, else your grout will disappear.
Let it dry and the mosaic using grout on clay pot  is done.

You can also make mosaic clay pots without grout.Mosaic without grout  is done in the same manner,but without the addition of grout and the mosaics are sticked close to each other,so that there are no or very minor spaces between the mosaics.
Here I add the video of mosaic using grout on glass,just to give a clear view of how is grout applied,you can use the same method on any saturation material as wood,clay,lamp shades etc.

Stained Glass Pot Plant Holder

Brighten up your plants with a stained glass pot plant holder.

Things You Need:

• Glass
• Craft knife(for cutting leads)
• Liquid lead(available in bottles and tubes from arts and crafts shop)
• Transparent glass paints(available in variety of brands and shades from arts and crafts shop)
• Paint thinner(available from hardware stores and are used to thin the tarnsparent glass paints)
• Thin marker(for tracing the design on the glass)
• Paint brushes of various sizes.
• Solder
• Soldering Iron
• Solder Flux
• Masking Tape
• Copper Foil
• Copper Wire
• Grey Patina

The Method:

1. Enlarge the templates for the pot plant holder and ask your glass merchant to cut the 4 pieces of glass,the size of the template.Ask your glass merchant to rub the glass edges with the sand stone so as to prevent your hands from cuts.
2.  Clean the glass with glass cleaner.
3. Surround the piece of glass with 10mm to 12mm wide copper foil as done in the video shown in: http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/12/hand-mirror-using-stained-glass.html
4. Copy the template to the glass and outline it with lead.
5. For detailed instructions on outlining with lead and for using transparent colors to the glass please follow: http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/09/stained-glass.html.
6. Once the paint has dried,use the craftt knife to scratch off any paint that may have got on copper foil.
7. Apply the transparent frost texture smoothly and evenly,to the painted areas,frosting will take from 1-10 hrs to dry depending on the room temperature,and will prevent the paint work from getting scratched.
8. Once the frost texture has dried,thin down the yacht varnish with a little bit of  turpentine thinner and carefully apply a coat to the painted areas.Allow it to dry for 24 hours.
9. Tape the four sections of the pot plant holder together with masking tape,leaving a 2mm(1/16 in)gap between each piece of glass.
10. Brush the copper foil with flux and spot solder the pieces together.
11. For soldering instructions: http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/12/using-solder-and-soldering-iron-for.html
12. When you are happy with the fit,remove the tape,brush on flux and flow solder along the seams,first on the outside,then on the inside.
13. Turn the pot plant holder upside down and tape the base in position.Brush the copper foil with flux and spot solder.Remove the tape,brush with flux and flow solder along the seams,both outside and inside the pot plant holder.
14. Using a soft rag,rub grey patina over the soldered areas so that they co-ordinate with the adhesive lead.  
15. Add some mud and plant your favourite plant in the beautiful pot plant holder.

Templates and image is courtesy of Barry Bier's book.

GLASS PAINTING MADE EASY.: Templates/Patterns

GLASS PAINTING MADE EASY.: Templates/Patterns: " &..."

Glass Painted Wall Mirrors

 

How about embellishing your walls with the glass painted wall mirrors.Here we have two options,either paint on some part of the mirror with transparent paints,crystalline colors or even opaque paints,following the same procedures as linked,and leave some part of the mirror as it is,so that can be used for viewing your image.

The other option we have here is,to paint on the piece of glass and glue it to the mirror.This I will explain in detail.

Things You Need:

• Glass (any size and thickness you wish)
• Craft knife(for cutting leads)
• Liquid lead(available in bottles and tubes from arts and crafts shop)
• Transparent glass paints(available in variety of brands and shades from arts and crafts shop)
• Paint thinner(available from hardware stores and are used to thin the tarnsparent glass paints)
• Thin marker(for tracing the design on the glass)
• Paint brushes of various sizes.
• Transparent frost texture
• Yacht varnish
• Masking tape

The Method:

1. Choose a template and get it enlarged.
2. Once you have your template enlarged,ask your glass merchant to cut the piece of glass and mirror to the size of template.Make sure to ask your glass merchant to rub the glass and mirror edges with the sand stone so as to prevent your hands from cuts.
3.  Clean the glass with glass cleaner.
4. Once you have your glass and template ready,it's time for copying the template and completing a stained glass painting.
5. For copying a template to the glass,outlining with lead and for using transparent colors to the glass please follow: http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/09/stained-glass.html.
6. After the paint and lead are completely dried,apply the transparent frost texture smoothly and evenly,to the painted areas.
7. Frosting will take from 1-10 hrs to dry depending on the room temperature,and will prevent the paint work from getting scratched.
8. Once the frost texture has dried,thin down the yacht varnish with a little bit of  turpentine thinner and craefully apply a coat to the painted areas.Allow it to dry for 24 hours.
9. With the adhesive lead side facing up,place the glass on the top of mirror.Use a piece of  Prestik(blue-tak) in each corner to hold the glass and mirror in place and then fit them into a metal or wooden frame.
10. If you are interested in using crystalline colors,then for painting instructions follow http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/09/using-crystalline-colors.html 
11. For instructions on  painting with opaque colors follow http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/10/making-opaque-glass-painiting.html

Hand Mirror Using Stained Glass Technique.

 

Once you are good at stained glass,you can apply the technique and create many different and beautiful projects.We have already done stained glass suncatchers and stained glass windows/doors,to beautify the outlook of yor place.It's now time to make something to carry with you, and get compliments.Many of you must have guessed,yes,we are talking about stained glass hand mirrors,something that you can not only carry with you but also serve as elegant gift.

Things You Need:

• Glass
• Mirror
• Craft knife(for cutting leads)
• Liquid lead(available in bottles and tubes from arts and crafts shop)
• Transparent glass paints(available in variety of brands and shades from arts and crafts shop)
• Paint thinner(available from hardware stores and are used to thin the tarnsparent glass paints)
• Thin marker(for tracing the design on the glass)
• Paint brushes of various sizes.
• Solder
• Soldering Iron
• Solder Flux
• Masking Tape
• Copper Foil
• Grey Patina

Method:

1. To make the hand mirror,enlarge the design you wish to use and ask your glass merchant to cut a piece of glass and a mirror the same size as your template.
2.  Make sure to ask your glass merchant to rub the glass edges with the sand stone so as to prevent your hands from cuts. 
3. Clean the glass with glass cleaner.
4. Surround the piece of glass with 10mm to 12mm wide copper foil as in the following video:
5. Repeat this procedure of surrounding foil with the mirror.
6. Copy the template to the glass and then apply liquid lead,let the lead dry for at least 2 hours before you paint your template.
7. For instructions on applying liquid lead and using transparent colors,follow : http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/09/stained-glass.html.
8. Once the paint has dried,use the craftt knife to scratch off any paint that may have got on copper foil.
9. Apply the transparent frost texture smoothly and evenly,to the painted areas,frosting will take from 1-10 hrs to dry depending on the room temperature,and will prevent the paint work from getting scratched.
10. Once the frost texture has dried,thin down the yacht varnish with a little bit of  turpentine thinner and craefully apply a coat to the painted areas.Allow it to dry for 24 hours.
11. With the adhesive lead side of the glass on top,tape the mirror to the back of the glass.With the two pieces lying flat and on the edge of your work surface,brush flux in about six different places round the edge of the mirror and glass and spot solder to secure the two sections.Remove the tape,brush flux along the copper-foiled seam and flow solder right round.For instructions on solder and flux,please visit http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/12/using-solder-and-soldering-iron-for.html
12. Please remember,that you donot hold the two pieces upright when fluxing and soldering as the flux and solder will run between the mirror and glass and ruin the effect.
13. Using a soft rag,rub grey patina over the soldered areas so that they co-ordinate with the adhesive lead http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/12/making-stained-glass-suncatchers.html
14. If you are using some coloured stones or beads then simply glue them in position and there you go,you have beautiful hand mirror with you.

GLASS PAINTING MADE EASY.: Templates/Patterns

GLASS PAINTING MADE EASY.: Templates/Patterns: " "

Stained Glass Windows or Doors

 

Turn a window or glass panelled front door into a work of art by following these simple instuctions.

Things You Need:

• Glass (any size and thickness you wish)
• Craft knife(for cutting leads)
• Liquid lead(available in bottles and tubes from arts and crafts shop)
• Transparent glass paints(available in variety of brands and shades from arts and crafts shop)
• Paint thinner(available from hardware stores and are used to thin the tarnsparent glass paints)
• Thin marker(for tracing the design on the glass)
• Paint brushes of various sizes.
• Transparent frost texture
• Masking tape
• Linseed oil(available from hardware stores)

  Method:

1. Measure the window pane/glass panel of door,you wish to replace with the stained glass one and buy a piece of glass that is 3mm(1/8in) smaller all around than this measurment.Cut the glass to size according to your template and please do remember to sandstone the edges,so as to avoid the cuts on hands.
2. Clean the glass with glass cleaner.
3. Choose a template and get it enlarged.
4. Once you have your glass and template ready,it's time for copying the template.
5. For copying a template to the glass,outlining with lead and for using transparent colors to the glass please follow: http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/09/stained-glass.html
6. After the paint and lead are completely dried,apply the transparent frost texture smoothly and evenly,to the painted areas.
7. Frosting will take from 1-10 hrs to dry depending on the room temperature,and will prevent the paint work from getting scratched.
8. Once the frost texture has dried,thin down the yacht varnish with a little bit of  turpentine thinner and craefully apply a coat to the painted areas.Allow it to dry for 24 hours.
9. Ask an experienced glazier to install the window/door for you with the adhesive lead side of the window/door facing outward.
10. Once the window/door has been installed,use a soft rag to rub boiled linseed oil over the lead.After a week,wash off the linseed oil with an ammoniac-based cleaner.Repeat this procedure atleast twice a year to protect the lead from rain and sun.

Making Stained Glass SunCatchers

 

The delightful stained glass suncatchers we will make,will brighten up a sunny window,and the good part is that these are inexpensive and simple to make.

Things You Need:

• Glass (any size and thickness you wish)
• Craft knife(for cutting leads)
• Liquid lead(available in bottles and tubes from arts and crafts shop)
• Transparent glass paints(available in variety of brands and shades from arts and crafts shop)
• Paint thinner(available from hardware stores and are used to thin the tarnsparent glass paints)
• Thin marker(for tracing the design on the glass)
• Paint brushes of various sizes.
• Solder
• Soldering Iron
• Solder Flux
• Masking Tape
• Copper Foil
• Copper Wire
• Grey Patina
• Thin Chain(for hanging the suncatcher)

The Method:

1. Choose a template and get it enlarged, the size you want your suncatcher to be.
2. Once you have your template enlarged,ask your glass merchant to cut the piece of glass,the size slightly greater than your template so that you can get your stained glass suncatcher looped and hanged after its complete,but please make sure to ask your glass merchant to rub the glass edges with the sand stone so as to prevent your hands from cuts.
3.  Clean the glass with glass cleaner.
4. Once you have your glass and template ready,it's time for copying the template and completing a stained glass painting.
5. For copying a template to the glass,outlining with lead and for using transparent colors to the glass please follow: http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/09/stained-glass.html.
6. Once you have your completed stained glass in your hand and it is completely dried,it's time for transforming it in a delightful suncatcher.
7. Wrap the edges of the glass with the copper foil as done in: http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/12/using-solder-and-soldering-iron-for.html
8. Make small loops from copper wire and attach them to the top two corners of the suncatcher with a drop of solder.Flow solder round the edges of the glass and along the loop themselves.
9. For soldering instructions: http://living4artncraft.blogspot.com/2010/12/using-solder-and-soldering-iron-for.html
10. Using a soft rag,rub grey patina over the soldered areas so that they co-ordinate with the adhesive lead.
11. Attach a thin chain to the loops and hang the suncatcher in front of the sunny window.

Using Solder And Soldering Iron For Stained Glass

Things You Need:

Solders

• A solder
• Soldering Iron
• Masking Tape
• Copper Foil
• Soldering Flux

Method:

Before soldering your stained glass object,use copper foil on all the joints of the glass and tape the copper foiled sections together with the masking tape.Apply flux sparingly in several places and put small drops of solder on the fluxed areas,this is 'Spot Soldering'.These spots of solder can be easily removed with the soldering iron so that the pieces of glass can be adjusted if you are not satisfied with the fit.
Now apply flux sparingly to all the seams(joints),and gently pull the soldering iron and solder along the copper-foiled seams,this is 'Flow Soldering'.

Making a stained glass picture frame

We have already done stained glass in detail and ofcourse beautifully.But what if you are short of time and still wants to create your own stained glass picture frame,would you just sit by and wait till you have ample of time to work in detail?NO,ofcourse not,here is how you can easily make your own stained glass picture frame in no time.