John

I was an exploration geologist and University Professor working in Botswana, Zambia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and other countries before opening Artistry in Glass in 1986. In my more than 35 years of experience, I have brought my technical abilities as a scientist to the trade of glasswork. During this time I have become an industry expert in glass and glass-related skills. Watch out for special insider tips developed from my detailed knowledge of the glass business.

Removing a mirror from a wall: 4 simple steps (with images)

by John

Many large mirrors are attached by an adhesive called mastic and are difficult to remove from the wall. Using safety goggles, gloves, and protective clothing, follow these simple steps – apply duct tape in case of breakage, soften the glue with a heat gun, and carefully separate the mirror from the wall using cut-out wire, or wooden shims, then pull the mirror away from the wall. It is easy to smash mirrors, creating dangerous shards, and earning seven years of bad luck (irrational superstition). This website explains ways to remove wall mirrors safely and without breakage. Important safety information. Mirrors … Read more

How to hang mirrors – a complete guide (with images)

by John

Mirrors can be installed with wall anchors, french cleats, mirror clips, or mirror mastic. They can be hung against the wall or away from the wall with or without LED lighting. This post explains all you need to know about installing the five main types of residential mirrors:- Framed Mirrors Frameless Mirrors Tilting & Swinging Mirrors Dresser Mirrors Magnifying Mirrors Framed Wall Mirrors Framed mirrors give the widest scope for interior design harmonization. Mirrors can be framed in a wide variety of styles from Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Contemporary, Chippendale, Chinese, Baroque, Mexican, Rustic, Abstract, Venetian, Federal, Victorian, and many … Read more

What is dalle de verre? Learn all about faceted art glass!

by John

Many churches, cathedrals, and synagogues, built since the mid-1950s, used a modern form of faceted stained glass called Dalle de Verre to decorate their windows. But what is Dalle de Verre, how is it made, and what are its advantages compared to traditional leaded glass? Dalle de Verre (from the French “slab of glass”) is a technique created by the French glass artist, Jean Gaudin in Paris in the 1930s. It is made from thick slabs of colored glass cut into shapes, faceted, arranged into patterns, and fixed in position with epoxy cement History of Dalle de Verre The development … Read more

Is beveled glass safe? a lead safety study

by John

My customer was delighted with her purchase of a glass table with a unique beveled glass base but, with a small child in the house, she was concerned that the table might be unsafe. Her worry was mainly the possibility of lead poisoning so she reached out to the experts at Artistry in Glass for advice. From her excellent images, we figured out that the metal came was brass rather than lead and so we were able to reassure our customer that the danger of lead poisoning was very low. We further assisted her by recommending that the heavy top … Read more

How to Care for a Stained Glass Skylight

by John

Decorative skylights are some of the most beautiful applications of the stained glass art. Lit from above either by natural or artificial light, they illuminate your room in your chosen decorative style by day and night. But they are vulnerable to expensive damage by lack of maintenance and accidents. Be sure to follow this maintenance checklist. Clean with very great care – dust or wipe with a damp cloth Contact a professional if you notice sagging or bowing Do not drop a lightbulb or other object down onto the glass Remember that a broken skylight is likely to be expensive … Read more

How to repair a broken marble slab

by John

Marble is a popular rock that has been used since Roman times for sculpture, building, and furniture. In the Victorian era, Carrara marble was commonly used for tabletops and unfortunately is often broken by careless moving companies. A cracked marble slab, with sentimental value, can easily be repaired by the handy homeowner: What is Marble? Marble is a metamorphic rock resulting from the transformation of limestones under high pressures and temperatures. Typical marble is formed by interlocking coarse crystals of calcite (CaCO3) or dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2. The characteristic gray swirls are caused by mineral impurities such as iron oxide, clay, or … Read more

How to fix a broken china teapot – learn from the experts!

by John

Teapots have achieved a spiritual and mystical status with tea drinkers and china collectors alike. If your favorite teapot cracks or develops a leak or, if an antique teapot gets chipped, don’t worry – we have the answer: Functional teapots with leaks or cracked lids can be repaired with non-toxic glues like DAP and damaged spouts can be protected by silicone sleeves. Antique teapots, serving only as display items, can be made as good as new using epoxy adhesives and standard china repairing methods shown below. Repairing broken china teapots China teapots are fragile items, especially when used on a … Read more

How to fix a broken china plate

by John

Meissen dinner plate - Blue Onion Pattern

Breaking a precious china or ceramic plate can be a traumatic event causing great sadness and remorse. Fortunately, a plate, broken into 2 or 3 pieces, can be repaired by a competent non-professional following these steps:- Important steps in the repair of a china plate A large number of factors are involved in the repair of a broken china or ceramic plate. But first, it’s very important to understand that restored china cannot be used for serving food – the piece becomes a display item for the china cabinet. This post will explain which types of repair can be tackled … Read more