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The Gladiola flower is represented in the alphabet letter “G”. We believe that we made this suncatcher letter about 10 – 12 years ago. As Gladiolas’s come in many colors one can choose different flower and letter colors to suit the tastes and decor of whom they plan on giving one to or for their own home.
Design by Rachel Cecere
Tena one of our daughters obtained this beveled suncatcher many years ago and unfortunately it fell and needed repair. Upon taking it all apart there were 2 bevels broken.
We then rebuilt the suncatcher with the new bevels, fixed the bent wire, cleaned and polished. A good idea for someone building a new one, it is best to bead all of the bevel edges prior to assembly as it results in a much better looking finished piece. The picture below shows the completed and restored suncatcher,
Designer Unknown
We were commissioned to make 3 interior transom windows for a farm home in Central Alberta. The following photos will take you from initial design ideas, construction, completion and installation of the first window which featured 3 Alberta Roses. These windows measure approximately 3 feet wide by 1 foot high.
The first photo shows the beginning of our initial design idea.
After client approval of the Alberta Roses, border design and interior glass we first started with the Alberta Roses and the border.
The following picture shows the left side, we used Spectrum’s Pearl Opal #603-81CC Blue Skies for the border, Spectrum’s 609.8 Clear White Pink Wispy for the Roses, with #6067-83CC Mimosa Pearl Opal for the rose centres and #329.6 Dark Green Swirled with White Wispy for the rose leaves. The surrounding glass was an architectural clear texture glass called Morisco, which poised lots of fun problems in lining up the texture to match.
In the next picture the panel is now ready for soldering.
The next photo shows the window soldered and ready for patina.
Once we have soldered a window and have applied patina we then construct and attached a 1/2 inch zinc came frame which we do not patina. We ensure that the solder joints in the window are attached both front and back to the zinc frame with cleaning and patina touch ups of these joints. Once completed then the window is polished and thoroughly cleaned.
Here is the completed window.
Our clients were most pleased and installed the window later on the day it was delivered to them, this picture was taken from the reverse side as they wanted to have the front facing into their daughters bedroom as she loves Alberta Roses.
Design by Flory & Bob Wilkins
A picture story of a broken Stained Glass Lamp Shade. The picture below shows the damage to the lamp’s crown.
The next photo shows the one large lamp panel with serious cracks in it.
This last photo shows the broken bottom panel. There were 4 crown pieces, 1 large panel and 1 bottom panel which were broke.
When we take out broken lamp pieces we use a large low sided box filled with crumpled newspaper for support of the lamp shade, then slowly and carefully remove the broken panel. What helps in this process is to take steel wool #0000 only to clean the old solder seams of their dirt and patina, as it allows faster melting of the old solder and less chance for heat build up to damage other pieces.
The next photo shows the lamp shade with all of the broken pieces and the crown removed. Then all of the edges need to be thoroughly cleaned and scraped of all of the old foil, using an X-acto knife, #0000 steel wool along with Kwik Clean. Then new foil has to be applied and burnished on to the existing cleaned areas and the new pieces to be used.
The next picture shows the crown fully restored.
Once all the new pieces have been properly soldered in place, with beading as required along the edges. In this case we did our best to match the soldering techniques used by whoever made the lamp. Then the completed lamp shade is cleaned with Kwik Clean to remove flux. We then mixed some black and copper patina’s together to match the antique brass look. After that another cleaning with Kwik Clean, then Clarity stained glass polish applied, with final polishing using soft cloths and tooth brushes for the seams. Then double checking when on a lighted lamp stand which allows to see and find polish etc that we may have missed.
Designer Unknown
Island Lake is now completed and here it is in glorious sunshine. You can see the complete construction story with a quick search on our website. Enjoy
Designed by Paned Expressions Studios
Island Lake panel now has all of it’s final pieces cut and rough ground. Now all that remains is for these pieces to be fitted then foiled and once that it done the panel will be ready for soldering
