The History of Glass Making and Blowing - Part 1

The Beginning of glass making

Glass has been used for a very long time, even in the Stone Age. At the time, people found glass by accident. Glass is formed naturally when rocks melt in high temperature; two main forms of natural glass occur when lightning strikes sand, or when volcanic eruptions happen and then the area cools down and solidifies rapidly. So unless such natural events had happened, people could not find glass.

Natural glass is green or bluish green in color because of iron impurities in the sand. Colored glass can be made by adding metals and mineral oxides, but such skills have developed only later in the history of civilization.

While it is not known exactly when people first began to make glass themselves, ornamental glass in forms of beads, seals, and decorations have been found from around 2500BC and glass making was first recorded in ancient Rome, Egypt, and Syria. Glass was used to produce glazes on pots and vases. After 1500 BC, Egyptians began to produce glass pots and vases. Glass was rare and hard to make; thus, it was considered to be as valuable as jewels, and only the ruling classes could afford them.

Syrian Glassblowing: the Beginning of Free-blowing

Between 27 BC and AD 14, Syrian craftsmen began the art of glassblowing. Long thin metal tubes were used for the blowing process and this technique has remained almost unchanged since then. The function of these blowpipes was to make glass production much easier, faster, and cheaper. With this tool, air is puffed into a molten portion of glass at the end of the blowpipe to make the glass into a desired shape. It is also a widely used method for glass-forming these days.

Easier production of glass led to widespread use by the common people. During this period, glass makers also learned how to make transparent glass and how to decorate glass, so indeed this was a time of growth and prosperity for the glass making tradition.

Roman Influence in Glass Making

Romans spread glass making techniques through their conquests and trades. Glass works were found in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, and as far as China thanks to their influences.

At first, Romans used glass mainly for thick-walled vessels. Their method of glass making focused originally on cast glass. The vast majority of manufacturing techniques was still time-consuming, and glass remained expensive and a symbol of luxury.

However, during the Pax Romana after the civil war, glass making flourished in the stable political environment. Gradually glass makers produced vessels with thinner walls, and the process also became quicker. Soon, glassblowing became more common instead of molding. In the process, glass became a commonly available material and a wider variety of people began to use it. The first glass mosaics appeared and glass windows were also used under the Roman reign for the first time.

The expansion of the empire vastly expanded the market, and raw glass was produced by heating and fusing silica and soda. Romans are even said to have recycled glass. glass making capitals such as Alexandria and Koln emerged, which became the center of Roman glass making development.

The history of glass goes on in part 2.

Find out more about exquisite hand blown glass vases, bowls, paperweights. The products are owned by the nation's leading museums, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, the Corning Museum and the Chrysler Museum of Art. Each piece is signed, dated, and registered to verify its authenticity, protecting its value for the future.

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Making Stained Glass Equipment

As with all things, there is essential equipment and then there is would be nice to have equipment.

Essential Equipment

Glass Cutter

Cutting glass is not difficult, but you do need a good glass cutter. There are various glass cutters to choose from. My personal favorite glass cutter is the pistol cutter. It is important to choose a cutter that works well for you, as this is a stained glass tool you will use constantly.

There are basically two types of cutters, one with steel wheels and those with tungsten carbide wheels.

Cutters with steel wheels tend to be less expensive but, usually don't last very long. The steel wheel becomes dull after repetitive use and must be replaced. Steel wheels are good for general purpose or softer glass. The size of the wheel and angle of the bevel on the wheel will determine how hard of a glass it can score.

Tungsten carbide wheels are more expensive than steel wheels. There durability tends to out weigh the cost difference. Many are self-lubricating which can save time.

Glass Grinders

Grinders are used to smooth out cuts and insure exact fitting, as well as to lessen the chance of cutting yourself. The alternative to a grinder is a diamond file. This is less expensive, but the time and effort needed far out weights buying a grinder.

When choosing a grinder consider the size of the work surface, the power of the grinder and the accessories included such as bits, face shield and foot switch.. Additional considerations should be the warranty and price

Soldering Iron

There are a wide variety of different manufactures, types and sizes of soldering irons. Most soldering irons range from 60 to 150 watts with tip sizes ranging from 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch. When choosing your iron check out how long it takes to heat up, how long it holds the correct temperature, does it have a temperature controller and are the tips removable.

Probably, the most important thing to consider when doing stained glass soldering, is to choose an iron that feels comfortable in your hand. If the iron is not comfortable, then this will more than likely show up in your solder lines.

Yes, price it a factor, but remember, a good quality soldering iron will last for years and give professional results.

Soldering Iron Stand

After choosing your soldering iron, you will need to purchase a soldering stand. The stand can be simple or elaborate. The simple ones hold your iron and sponge, whereas, the more expensive ones will have a built-in temperature controller, iron stand, sponge, power cord, a solder roll holder, flux bottle well, brush and a catch-all tray. Needless to say, the more elaborate ones will cost more.

Temperature Controller

If your iron does not include a built-in temperature controller, then you will definitely need a separate controller. Using a temperature controller will maintain a constant temperature for your soldering iron.

Breaking Pliers and Grozer Pliers

These two hand tools are used for breaking glass. Breaking pliers are used after you score a line and want to break the glass. Grozer pliers are used for breaking away small areas of glass.

Semi-Optional Equipment

Foiler Burnisher

A foiler burnisher is used with Tiffany construction (copper foil). This tool will allow you to securely press and adhere the copper foil to the glass. A burnisher is an inexpensive tool though you could use a tongue depressor.

Table Foiler

A table foiler automatically peels off the paper backing, centers it to the edges of the glass and partially crimps it. Using a table foiler will also eliminate copper foil from unwinding and becoming tangled.

Came Saw

Came saws are used to cut metal came in either zinc, brass or copper. Came saws range from a manual model to a power mitre chop saw.

A manual came saw consist of a precision saw and a mitre vise. This is the least expensive of all came saws, but will require more time and effort. Electric power came saws range from 90 to 250 watt units. Blade sizes vary from 2 inches to 5 ¾ inches.

All came saws adjust from 0 to 45 degrees allowing for proper mitres.

The more powerful the came saw, the easier it will cut, not to mention durability.

Cork-Backed Stainless Steel Ruler

This is a steel ruler that is backed in cork. This is nice when drawing or cutting lines on glass. The cork backing eliminates the ruler from slipping.

Soft Bristle Scrub Brush

The soft bristle scrub brush is great for polishing your stained glass. With its soft bristles, it is able to get into the tiniest crevices.

A Fid

This inexpensive tool is used to widen came. This becomes very important when using heavily textured glass.

Optional Stained Glass Tools

Glass Saw

A glass saw is a nice addition to a stained glass workshop. With a glass saw you can make intricate cuts that otherwise would not be possible.

Glass saws can be a ring saw, band saw or wire saw. A ring saw has a circular diamond coated blade that allows you to cut in all directions. The band saw has a linear diamond coated blade and can cut glass up to ¾ of an inch thick. The wire saw has the thinnest blade giving you more flexibility for cutting intricate shapes and narrow cut lines.

All three types of saws come with various built-in features. It is up to you as to which one to choose. It needs to meet your own personal needs.

Came Bender

The came bender will perform precision curves on zinc, brass and copper came. This means greater design freedom when rigid came is used. With the came bender you can make circular and oval panels.

Copper Foil Sheers

These are specially designed sheers that will cut paper pattern pieces leaving the correct spacing needed for copper foil or lead.

Layout Blocks

These are used to hold cut pieces of glass together until you are ready to solder.

Glass Cutting Systems

There is a variety of glass cutting systems available. These systems will allow you to make repetitive and geometric shapes. Some of the more popular systems include Morton Portable Glass Shop, Circle and Strip Cutters, and Jitter Bug.

Light Box

The light box is nice for drawing patterns and viewing glass combinations.

Glass Drills

Glass drills are use to drill holes in glass.

Whichever stained glass equipment you purchase, remember these will last a long time as long as you take proper care of them. For more information on creating your own stained glass check out the website http://www.creativity-in-glass.com

I started out as a stained glass admirer. After a class in stained glass, I became addicted. At first I made stained glass to decorate my homes, which lead to friends asking me to make stained glass for them. Now I am a full time professional making stained glass as well as instructing others on how to make stained glass. My studio is located outside of Chicago, Illinois. For more information on making stained glass go to http://www.creativity-in-glass.com

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Making Fused Art Glass Jewelry At Home Using A Glass Fusing Kiln

With easily learned skills many people are making fused art glass jewelry at home.

Fused art glass jewelry has increased in popularity over recent years, fusing supplies, tools and classes have rapidly grown as more people have become aware of the beauty of fused glass art.

Fusing is done in an electrical warm glass fusing kiln where pieces of glass are heated until they soften and fuse together as one piece.

Glass is first cut to shape and arranged within the fusing kiln, the fusing temperature is then set and the pieces will fuse together as the kiln goes through its fusing and cooling cycle.

Glass may be simply fused side by side or stacked and fused or fused in other ways. Glass fusing molds can be used to produce lovely finished pieces.

To be able to fuse together and manipulate colored pieces of fusing glass in an electric kiln to your own personal design is extremely satisfying.

There's nothing like the joy and sense of achievement on removing your first pieces out of your kiln.

You can produce art glass pendants, fused glass earrings, cuff bracelets, glass beads and many other fused glass jewelry items.

Fusible products are on the market from a number of makers in a large range of colors, textures and styles; also available are colored stringers, rods, shards,powders, and various grades of crushed glass referred to as frit.

The big range of supplies available allows you to mix and match colors and designs to your heart's content.

Differences exist between glasses from some makers; which means some glasses can't be fused together.

Glass expands and contracts at a particular rate, this is called the co-efficient of expansion (COE).

Glass is made to a certain COE, only products labelled as tested compatible when using the same COE number must be fused together.

Two of the most popular glasses are 90 COE or 96 Coe. COE 90 fuses with only another glass of the identical COE and not with COE 96.

The same applies to COE 96 it should only be fused with another piece of COE 96.

Fusing incompatible pieces will generally lead to the item cracking.

Special enamels, paints and decals made for fusing are also used to provide stylish and unique pieces. Many artists like to color on glass and then fire their creations inside of a kiln to produce stunning results.

Some artists like to include metal pieces in their designs. Copper, silver, sterling silver, gold, bronze and palladium are just among the metals used.

Each metal will react differently under heat and produce various colors when fused into glass giving you lovely finished products.

Among the newer materials is dichroic glass that is used in many handcrafted dichroic jewelry pieces and also in glass beads. The glass has vivid colors which change hues when viewed from different angles.

Dichroic glass is coated with a variety of metallic materials which result in a glass than when heated in a kiln produces brilliant and vivid colors.

Because the glass heats and cools at a different rate to the metallic coating no two pieces are exactly the same giving you uniquely fused dichroic jewelry items.

Dichroic glass jewelry is very fashionable as a result of its intense colors and is used for creating fused glass earrings, bracelets, beads, cabochons, rings, hair clips and pendants.

Glass classes can be found in many glass studios; art glass fusing books and DVD's are also available to make it easier to get started. There's a lot of excellent glass supply stores on the net.

If you choose to take up art glass fusing, which I hope you may, you will not be limited to only art glass jewelry, plates, coasters, bowls, plus Christmas and other ornaments are a few of the objects that may be made in the glass kiln.

Vicki Mimis has been making chain maille, fused art glass jewelry, beaded jewelry, and precious metal clay jewelry for a number of years. Visit her home jewelry making information site at http://www.jewelry-making-how-to.com

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