Hand Blown Glass Art

This is a good question to ask with the rash of knock-offs on the market today.

Does the art glass made in Murano Italy have an identifying mark?

Cool textile type designs in this video.

Kiln formed glass, fused into textile designs www.randycomer.com

Hand blown glass art and other types of art glass are made using different types of glass and techniques.

Pressed glass, Depression glass and crystal this month we’ll review the basics of these different types of glass and some tips on telling the difference.

History

Glass was first recorded being made in ancient Rome, Egypt and Syria. It was made by heating and fusing sand, potash or soda with lime.

Types of Glass

Soda glass, potash glass and lead glass are the three main types of glass.

Soda glass

Starting in the 13th century, soda glass was made in Venice. Glassmakers were able to form molten glass into elaborate shapes because it contained burned seaweed, making the glass very malleable.

Potash glass

Potash glass came from northern Europe. Potash was made from a combination of burned wood and bracken making the glass well suited for engraving and cutting.

Lead glass (crystal, lead crystal)

Starting in Europe in the 17th century, lead glass was developed. It was derived from adding lead oxide to potash glass. The words lead glass, lead crystal and crystal all mean the same thing. Crystal is simply a type of glass. It is the addition of lead to mix that makes crystal harder than regular glass. Crystal is less likely to have bubbles, which is helpful when cutting

Pressed glass

Popularized during the Victoria era, pressed glass is made from a mould and is less valuable than cut glass. You can identify pressed glass from the mould line that is visible and the less sharply faceted decoration.

Depression glass

Popularized during the Great Depression, companies such as Hocking Glass, Federal and MacBeth-Evans mass-produced this form of pressed glassware. It was often given away free as a gift with purchase. There are many colours and patterns available.

Decoration on glass

There are four types of decorations used to adorn glass: cutting, enamelling, gilding and engraving.

Cutting

Facets cut into glass reflect light and create sparkle. One tip to help date a piece of glass is to look for shallow surface cuts which were used in the earliest days of glass cutting.

Enamelling

In the 15th century, the Venetians popularized the enamelling of glass that is a process of painting on glass.

Gilding

It is a technique of adding gold decoration to glass that was often done by firing the gold onto a glass surface.

Engraving

It was done by diamond point engraving (scratching the design onto the surface of the glass using a diamond nib), wheel engraving (scratching the design on the surface of the glass using small copper wheels rotating against the surface) stipple engraving (scratching the design onto the surface of the glass using fine diamond needle that taps out the design in a series of dots and lines) or acid etching (scratching the design on the surface of glass using a sharp tool then subjecting the glass to hydrofluoric acid which etched the design onto the glass).

How to tell crystal from cut glass

Weight is the number one tip-off that something is crystal rather than glass. The lead in crystal makes it is heavier than cut glass. The telltale ping when you flick your fingernail against crystal is another way to tell crystal from glass.

Why is modern-day crystal less brilliant than antique crystal

Crystal made in the early 1900s contains about 25 to 28 percent lead. Modern crystal contains only 10 to 12 percent lead. This reduction in the lead content makes modern crystal less brilliant than antique crystal.

How to tell if it is early glass

Old engraving will look dark and grey against a white background. New glass engraving will not look grey against a white background.

Spotting reproductions

There are many reproductions circulating because modern glassmakers made imitations of 18th century glass. There is nothing wrong with reproductions as long as you know that is what you are buying. You can spot reproductions three ways:

Colour

Reproductions may not have the distinctive tint caused by natural occurring impurities. Use the white background test; if the engraving looks grey against the white, the item is likely to be old.

Manufacturing signs

Machine-made glass will not have the rough bump under the stem that hand-blown glass will have. This bump results from the item being removed from the glassblower’s rod. Also, hand-blown glass might have imperfections such as uneven thickness, ripples or striations that machine-made glass does not have.

Proportions

Styles and proportions have varied over the years. One thing to look for is that the foot on antique glass is often as wide as the bowl.

Value

Glass and crystal are one collectible where the secondary market is more affordable than the primary market. The reason is supply and demand. Plenty of crystal was made over the years, plenty of people took good care of it, and, as a result plenty of it is still around.

Author: Martin Swinton

Blown art glass is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing hobbies in North America… and it is about time. Glassblowing has been around since 27 BC in Syria, though the first evidence of manmade glass products occurs in Mesopotamia in the late 3rd century BC. But the advancement of actual "blowing" glass using a tube transformed the materials usefulness. The new technique quickly spread throughout the Roman world.

Harvey Littleton, a ceramics professor, and Dominick Labino, a chemist and engineer, are credited with starting the most recent "studio glass movement" in 1962. The two held workshops at the Toledo Museum of Art. This is where the current method of melting glass in a furnace for use in blown glass art was originated. Thus, Littleton and Labino are credited with making molten glass available to artists in private studios.

The actual process of preparing the glass for blowing is very involved though. The glass is melted in furnaces using the sand, limestone, soda, potash and other compounds. The actual transformation of raw materials into glass takes place well above 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.

After the glass has melted, the artist uses a blowpipe to shape the glass. The blowpipe is about five feet long and is used for blowing a parison of molten glass. Molds are used to impress decorative patterns.

There are two types of modern glassblowing but offhand glassblowing is the type most people picture in their mind when they think about this kind of art. The artist gathers a glob of fused glass at the end of a hollow tube called a blowpipe or blowing iron. The molten glass is then fashioned into its final form by various techniques of blowing and shaping with hands, tolls and molds. The second kind of glassblowing is lampworking. Lampworking is the softening of a glass tube by heating it in the flame of a torch. Next, the softened glass is manipulated into its final form by blowing and shaping with hands and tools. Any number of things can be created using either technique; sculpted animals, ashtrays, vases, aquarium pieces, beads, paper weights, perfume bottles…the list goes on and on. Moreover, practically every major part of the world at one time or another in its history has been known, in some part, for its glass art. However, Mexican glass art is the most popular.

Mexico is the land of the master craftsman. Known throughout history as being expert potters, weavers and wood carvers, Mexican artists have really made their mark as glassblowers. Beginning in 1542 in Puebla, these artists produced glass items in a variety of shapes with little more than a long pipe and a glob of melted glass. Experienced Mexican glass blowers will even add effects as small bubbles, blobs of color or pebbles to their finished to pieces to make them stand out.

Authentic Mexican glass is easily identified by a ponti, or a place at the bottom of the finished product that indicates it was mouth blown. Another feature of Mexican glass is its individual nature. No two pieces are ever exactly alike in size, shape or design, which simply adds to the unique nature of each piece.

But the most unique detail about this glassblowing is how little it’s changed since its inception. For the most part, glassblowers are still producing beautiful works of art the same way they did back in 27 BC…melted glass and a metal tube. This is one instance where my grandpa was wrong. In the case of glassblowing, "They are still making them like they used to."

Author: Allen Shaw

Allen Shaw is a successful author who provides information on blown glass and bottles.

Art of Dale Chihuly

In fact, Chihuly deserves credit for establishing the blown glass form as an accepted vehicle for installation and environmental art beginning in the late twentieth century and continuing today.

The Art of Glass

One of the latest trends that can be seen is hand blown glass art. Many fine art galleries are beginning to feature this type of art in their studios. Also, many nice, public places are beginning to feature blown art glass.

Blown Glass Art

One unique type of home decor is blown glass art. These are truly special and unique pieces that can add drama and elegance to your home. You can have glass bowls, candle holders, decanters, and pitchers. 

Elegant and "look at me" glass blowing

These types of art glass are indeed very popular home decor items and include glass pumpkins, bowls, goblets, vases, garden adornments, ring holders, perfume bottles, paperweights and glass paintings. They come in a huge range in terms of colors and design. You can also get custom installations in order to match the ambiance and space requirements of your room.

Types of hand blown art glass:

Painting in Glass: Hand blown glass paintings are marvelous pieces of art that are full of sophisticated beauty, enrichment of colors, magical brilliance and diligence. Until recently these stylish and classy glass paintings adored only the interiors of the royal and elites families. These hand blown glass paintings are distinguished for their eye-catching clarity, absolute brilliance and use of rich and bold colors and add an extra life to your living room.

Glass Bowls: ou can use your decorative hand blown glass bowls for flowers or just keep them in the room as a decorative accent. The base colors are mostly bright and bold that capture and refract rays of light and create a great ambience. Apart from using these marvelous hand blown art glasses as a pedestal or coffee table piece, you can also use them as wall hangings.

Paperweights: The hand blown paperweights come in rich and bold colors as well as in many shapes and designs. They add eye catching colors to your working desk, study table, window sill of your living room, or anywhere else you like to. You can even personalize these paperweights and give them as gifts.

Glass Pumpkins: The hand blown glass pumpkins make a great gift during Halloweens. They are usually bright orange in color and have a nice ribbed side with curly or twisted jade green stems. The best part of these hand blown glass pumpkins are that they are exclusive and hence no chance of two pumpkin being alike.

Cleaning and maintaining hand blown art glasses:

Keep these hand blown art glasses out of direct sunlight as that can fade their colors over time.

Use small and soft bristled brush while cleaning dust from your hand blown art glasses.

Use warm water and a mild dishwashing detergent along with a soft cloth to wash these delicate art glasses.

Author: Mahendra Solanki

A bold and colorful hand blown art glass can change the ambience of your room and adds a sophisticated look.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mahendra_Solanki

Hot Glassblowing

Dip molten glass from a furnace and shape it into a paperweight. Blow a bubble and shape it into a tumbler or small vase. Glass artist Bob Pozarski will walk you through the steps to beginning glassblowing.

Glass Tableware

Designed and crafted in Valencia, Spain since 1975, the process combines computerized manufacturing with artisan glassblowing techniques.

Glass sinks are one of the most beautiful home trends today. It can make your sink a positive focal point. Many wonder if glass sinks would be a practical investment, but the truth is, that these sinks are as durable as they are beautiful, and with proper care they will give you satisfaction for many years to come.

Dcor For The Room

Glass sinks are typically the vessel style sink which is becoming increasingly popular for home design, but they can also be wall hung or pedestal style. Many of these glass sinks also incorporate light into the design. The light can be above the sink, below, or actually inside of the glass to enhance the luminescence of the glass. For examples of these sinks, you can go to an upscale home design store, or you can check out one of the many online resources for information about glass sinks or retailers who sell them.

Styles Of Glass Sinks:

1. Vessel mount sink — these types of glass sinks are either mounted on the counter top or other surface with a self-rim or dropped in a hole in the counter.

2. Pedestal style — these glass sinks either have one single pedestal as a base or multiple legs.

3. Wall hung — these glass sinks, also known as wall-mounted, have the plumbing for the sink concealed behind the wall, and the faucet and other fixtures are protruding directly from the wall.

How Are They Made?

The temperature for producing glass products like sinks varies according to the style.

Hot glass production: Typically used in blown glass the temperature may reach 2200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Warm glass production: This is used during kiln heated glass works and the temperature can be anywhere from 1100 to 1700.

Cool glass production: In this process, which is sometimes used in making glass sinks, the glass is at room temperature and is cut and pieced like a mosaic.

Techniques Used To Make Glass Sinks

Just as there are different temperatures that you use when you are working with glass, there are different techniques used to make glass sinks as well.

Fused and slumped: Different pieces of glass are heated and allowed to melt together and then cooled into a solid smooth piece. Once the artist has the solid piece it is placed over the sink mold and heated just enough that it ’slumps’ into the mold. Then, it is quickly cooled to avoid cracking.

Hand blown glass: This may be what you typically think of when you think of artistic glass, but it is also used in producing glass sinks. The artist heats the glass at the end of a hollow pipe or tube and then blows into the tube to make a hollow center. Then the artist is able to shape and later cut the glass to fit the desired shape.

Mosaic glass: This is done by using cold cut glass pieces glued to a glass sink bowl and which are then grouted, cemented, sealed, and coated with a finish.

All of these sinks are extremely durable and easy to maintain if you just educate yourself on the methods. By using gentle cloths and cleaners you can keep them looking beautiful for many years to come-and they will reward you with style and elegance.

Author: Margarette Tustle

Margarette Tustle writes ideas for home and family. Read more sink resources at factsink.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margarette_Tustle

Hand Blown Glass Sinks

Glass vessel sinks are not difficult to come by, but I can tell you that I’ve never seen colors this saturated and rich in a vessel sink before. His sinks are functional art glass, there’s no better description.

Seattle Glassblowing Studio

John Hogan, center, wears a heat protection suit in preparation to move a piece of blown glass to a cooling container as Brynn Hurlstone, foreground, applies two heat torches at the Seattle Glass Blowing Studio in the Belltown … I check out a collection of glass sinks along one wall and run my finger over the bronze-speckled rim of my favorite, picturing it in my home. It feels cold, smooth to the touch.