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Glass
Artists Newsletter - April 2007 |
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You
can read our current newsletter here
on-line each month, free of charge. We
hope you will take the opportunity to let
your stained glass artist friends know
about the newsletter and if you have
students, encourage them to read it.
If
you'd like a reminder when a new issue is
published simply send us your e-mail
address.
In
the meantime, we welcome your input and
support. Let us know if you have tips and
techniques or product information you'd
like to share. |
April
is International Art Glass Month!!!
To celebrate we decided to have an open
house at our studio!!! Please plan
to attend on April 28th (the last Saturday
of the month)
There are
several activities planned (from noon to 4
pm) and you'll be able to see the work
we've accomplished on the 4 panels we're
building for the Provo Arts Council's new
building.
We'll
also be announcing some exciting news for
our studio at the event. We're also
gearing up with some projects for the
parade of homes in May.
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| One
of the most challenging skills a glass
artist needs to develop is that of fitting
a panel to fit a specific space. This
month we show a unique install of glass
over a pre-made opening which is lit by
cabinet lighting. |
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How
To Build A Window For A Backlit Space
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To build a window to fit a backlit space, we first
measure the space and draw the pattern. Then we cut off 1/4" all
around so the piece will fit when it's completed.
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We built the panel and left
1/4" of free space when we soldered it so that we could easily
apply 1/4" zinc outer bar to the piece. (the 1/4" Strip fit's
over the glass 1/8" and adds 1/8" so the panel is just the
right size)
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I took two pieces of zinc which were longer than
the panel and nailed them in place. |
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Then I laid two small pieces across the spaces and
marked where they needed to be cut. |
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We use a Jarmac saw in our studio to cut zinc. It's
preferable to a hack saw. |
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I nail them all in place and then tap the ends that
overlap so they will be lined up to the edge. This way, I only have to
cut off the overlapping pieces on one end. |
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I solder the outer bar at each corner and bring all
interior lines to the edge of the zinc. |
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Then I cut off the extra zinc, using the saw blade
as a "guide" to keep the window lined up with the edge of the
panel. |
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Then I take the panel and check it to make sure it
fits the opening. It's a little long and just a slight amount too tall. |
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So I take it over to the wide belt sander. |
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I sand both edges smaller. |
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And I sand a small amount off of the top. |
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Then I check to make sure the panel fits the
opening. |
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Next I mark some copper for a frame edge. |
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I cut it with tin snips. |
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Then line it up with the edge of the panel and cut
it to length. |
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After tack soldering both top and bottom pieces, I
mark an end piece to fit and tack solder it in place. |
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When I have all four pieces in place, I solder the
edges in place firmly and then I cover the copper with a thin, smooth,
layer of solder.
Funny to cover the copper when we'll be adding
copper patina to the panel, but I want it to match the rest of the
piece. |
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When it's done, the edge looks very smooth. We
clean it with window cleaner and kwik-clean to prepare it for patina. |
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Then we flood the panel with copper patina.
Flooding it allows it to stay copper. If you don't apply enough, it
tries to go black. |
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Jeanne uses a little piece of rag to spread the
copper patina around. She'll throw it away after she's done with it
because patina dissolves rags. |
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Then she cleans it with Kwik-Clean again. |
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She applies polish and lets it dry on the panel and
then she polishes it hard with a soft cloth. |
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There is glass that allows too much light through
in the panel and the light from a bulb shows through the glass. |
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So I put it in the sandblaster and shoot a light
coat of sand to rough things up on the back of the panel. |
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You can see here how rough it looks.
I didn't solder the back of these panels, but in
the future I won't skip this step. It makes the window stronger.
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Look at how that small amount of blasting cuts down
on the "burn through" of the light. |
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The panels are installed using some small screws
and the windows look great!
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