Willowdale Church Alberta Rose Windows – Sunnybrook Farm Museum

Filed under Church Windows, Repairs, Restorations, Windows by on July 20, 2024 at 5:50 pm {one comment}

These 2 existing Alberta Rose windows that were in the Willowdale Church required lots of repairs with some new replacement glass, new 3/4 inch zinc frames, cleaning and polishing. They are now installed in the Willowdale Zion Presbyterian Church located at the Sunnybrook Farm Museum in Red Deer Alberta.

These windows measured approximately 26 inches wide by 57 inches high cathedral shaped. They were installed behind new double paned glass. The church after being moved some 50 ks from SE of Red Deer in September of 2021 required a lot of restorations and renovations.

Do to some medical issues we have been away from our studio for sometime, but after a hip replacement for Bob, we are slowly getting back to working in our studio.

 

The following 2 photos show the damage that we had to restore on one of the above windows

Designer and original artist unknown – restorations and repairs by Flory & Bob Wilkins

Tiffany Style Large Lampshade Restoration 2023

Filed under Lamps, Repairs, Restorations by on November 29, 2023 at 5:10 pm {no comments}

Late this summer and early fall we repaired this large Tiffany style lampshade for clients who live in North West Alberta.

 

Before removing the broken pieces of glass we do a rub using white freezer paper rubbed with black carbon paper. After carefully removing the broken glass we do a through cleaning and then re foil the edges. Then using the paper rub we then cut out each piece and glue the paper to the replacement glass. In this case we were very fortunate to have the same glass on hand.

The next picture shows this portion of the lampshde in partial repair. We fit each piece of glass and hold them in place with scotch tape and then tack solder the pieces. Eventually placing the lampshade in a large flat box filled with newspapers to keep it level while soldering the seams.

The picture below shows the lampshade upside down in the box filled with newspaper which holds it in level place for soldering but it does take time and lots of levelling adjustments to end up with proper solder seams.

The next photo shows the new foil applied.

This next photo shows the other side of the lampshade which also had broken glass.

Initally we solder the outside lamp seams then do the inside seams. Once soldering is completed, we clean the entire lamp surface with Kwik Clean. We take steel wool to the new solder seams, then apply black patina, clean again with Kwik Clean, then apply Clarity Polish, finally buffing with a soft cloth and tooth brushings of the solder seams on the whole lampshade.

Our clients we very pleased with the repairs.

Unknown Artist made this from Tiffany Style Lampshade Design

100+ Year Old Came Window Restoration 2022

Filed under Old Came Windows, Restorations by on June 8, 2023 at 5:30 pm {no comments}

This came restoration was completed in mid 2022. This window measured 36 inches wide by 16 inches high and we believe it to be well over a 100 years old based on information from our client.

There was only 1 piece of glass that was cracked and we were able to get it glued together with a special stained glass glue, with the help of our friends at Rubaiyat Stained Glass Studios in Calgary.

This window now hangs proudly in our clients home in Central Alberta.

The following picture shows the window in its original wooden frame which was weathered and worn beyond repair. We took many photos of the window, numbering each piece and the after careful cleaning of each piece of glass we put it all back together with new lead came, cement, patina and polishing.

The next picture shows the window all ready for the came joints to be soldered.

Designer Unknown nor date when initially made

Information Update re: Old Came Window Restoration 2022

Filed under Canadiana, Old Came Windows, Old Came Windows, Repairs, Restorations by on September 18, 2022 at 5:30 pm {one comment}

Our client has now installed the restored window into a very old building that she has turned into a wonderful workshop and studio. The location is NE of Halkirk, Alberta and her company’s name is Woolgathering.

Congratulations to Carmen, who persevered to take an old run down building and turn it into a very warm and welcoming studio for her business.

Here are 3 pictures, one of the building as was, then the redone interior along with the restored came window now installed back into the 1910 building.

 

 

Old Came Window Restoration 2022

Filed under Canadiana, Old Came Windows, Restorations by on August 18, 2022 at 5:30 pm {one comment}

This very old came window measured 20 x 16 inches. At some point in its history someone used a glue gun to seal the came lines on both sides of the glass. (Refer to the third picture below to view). We had to take much care in slowly removing this glue, pulling gently with pliers and/or fingers all the while using an X-ACTO knife blade # 11 to slowly cut the glue away from the glass.

One had to be extra careful to ensure that counteracting forces would not cause the glass to crack or break, especially the smaller curved pieces on the top portion of the window.

The next picture shows the window restored and replaced into it’s very old wooden frame, which was in very good condition given its age. Our client is putting this window back into a 1910 building, that is in good condition, which she is going to use as a studio.

Our client wanted us to somehow preserve the pink paint which was an interesting task as the glue tended to want to lift it off the window frame while we removed the glue. In addition she wanted the wooden molding holding the window in its frame, to be preserved as well.

The next picture shows the window with the glue on the various seams. This further created more glue removal problems as the thickness of the glue on both sides of the window, made removal even more difficult due to the uneven surfaces.

The restoration work requires photographing the window a number of times to ensure that the glass pieces return to their original place.

Designer unknown

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