Stained Glass Fantasy

Stained Glass Fantasy Window

I recently had the pleasure of designing and fabricating a stained glass window for a man who wanted a fantasy life scene for his wife’s anniversary gift.  Based on Beauty and the Beast, it was to have 5 panels with each depicting a story in his life.  He married his wife in a different location every year so 3 of the panels were of the places he had married her; one of a wind mill, another with dolphins and another in a hot air balloon.   The 4th panel would depict his two children standing on the beach in front of Catalina Island.  The main panel is based on the design of Beauty and the Beast dancing together.  The resulting stained glass window is pictured.   What a lovely way for a man to show his love for his wife.

If you would be interested in creating a life story window you may contact me at:  glassm2@yahoo.com or see my other designs at A Glass Menagerie

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Archers Dream Stained Glass Window

Stained Glass Archery Panel

This is my latest stained glass window project made for a family of archers.  It is slated to be used in a large kitchen cabinet.  The panel incorporates a variety of glass including the highly textured Armstrong glass of the quiver.  Both son’s of the parents shoot competitively and were quite impressed by this piece stating that the quiver looks very realistic.  Below  is a close up of the quiver glass.

 

 

To inquire about this and other designs customized for your own home visit:  AGlassMenagerie.net  This archery piece is locate on the Unique stained glass panel page.

 

Stained Glass for the Home

Stained Glass Arched Window – Twining Ivy

Stained glass has been a part of history for at least a thousand years. It is created when metallic salts are added to glass, and those colored pieces of glass are arranged to form pictures. Color can also be added to glass by being painted on in various colors and then fused into the glass with a kiln. High quality stained glass is held together using the copper foil method made popular by the makers of Tiffany lamps. Copper foil is superior to lead because copper foil is stronger than lead, so the stained glass lasts longer. It also allows for more intricate designs.

Stained Glass and Life
Stained glass windows used to be most commonly seen in churches or other prestigious buildings, but now you can have stained glass in your own home. Stained glass fixtures are a great option for a custom built home, or an attractive modification to your existing home. Stained glass windows, stained glass cabinet door inserts or stained glass transoms for your front or back door provide a touch of elegance and grace that make family and visitors feel at ease. There is nothing more peaceful than admiring the beauty and craftsmanship of a stained glass window. Watching the way the sunlight filters through transoms, especially right before sunset, inspires a feeling of warmth and comfort. Keep your most prized keepsakes behind the gorgeous stained glass cabinet door inserts of your home cabinet. Including upscale stained glass attributes for your home will not only increase your present and future enjoyment of your home, but also increase the property value if you sell your home.

Stained Glass Styles
Some popular styles for stained glass windows, cabinet door inserts and transoms are Art Deco, Victorian, and Contemporary Geometric. Many people enjoy stained glass pictures of nature scenes, flowers, animals (especially portraits of their pets), or fantasy figures like mermaids and dragons. The stunning variety of colors available to incorporate into stained glass windows allows you to portray a classic or more modern style in your home, according to your own taste.

The Beauty of Stained Glass
The happiest people in life surround themselves with beauty and images that inspire them. Thoughtfully chosen or custom designed stained glass windows, cabinet door inserts, and transoms in your home will surround you with beauty every day, helping you to always be at your best.

To see more designs and have one custom made for you check out:  Stained Glass Windows by A Glass Menagerie.

Stained Glass Kitchen Windows – A Feasible Option

Art Deco-Stained Glass Panel

When exploring kitchen window styles, take into account that stained glass kitchen windows add an extraordinary and artistic flare to your kitchen.  Individual pieces of colored glass is joined together with solder and can be created in any size or design.  Stained glass can be formed to fit any kitchen window shape.

Having stained glass installed in the kitchen can provide a great design opportunity.  It not only looks stunning, it can also provide the privacy if desired while letting in daylight. Furthermore, in a beautiful sunny day, the color scheme of the kitchen will be enhanced by the natural colors created by stained glass.

Stained glass can be customized to fit your current window frame, or a hanging panel can be created.  Cabinet door inserts are always a winning choice.  I have one customer that changes her cabinet inserts with the seasons.   Hot designs right now include Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Frank Lloyd Wright, anything geometrical and other classic motifs. Floral and specialty bevels are also popular patterns used for stained glass.

One of the more functionally desirable locations for stained glass would be the windows located above the kitchen sink which may overlook an undesirable view or a neighboring house. Adding stained glass will allow natural light while blocking an unattractive view.

Stained glass sun catchers offer options for a smaller budget which add warmth and color to any kitchen window. Commissioning a custom piece for an upscale look  is easier than you might think.  It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.  Simple patterns can be less costly to produce and will provide a beautiful elegance.  We provide our customers with a full color scaled drawing of your chosen design.  Other design elements can be added or removed quite easily.  We work with our clients until the design is exactly what they envision.

If custom is for you, contact us for a quote.  We specialize in kitchen window design, as well as other rooms by incorporating art-glass for a personalized, custom-made product. Adding stained glass to your kitchen will reflect your style and increase the value of your kitchen.

Visit our site directly to see more kitchen possibilities:  AGlassMenagerie.net/cabinets.html

Email me:  glassm2@yahoo.com

 

 

Creative Ways of Using Stained Glass

Sunset Tree Silhouette

When you think of stained glass, what do you see? We usually picture churches, cathedrals and temples with large art glass windows depicting images of religious significance. We probably imagine that warm colored light that shines through on Sundays as we sit in the pews. Stained glass is an art form that has been around for centuries; the main use being windows. However, stained glass is an art that spans much farther and wider than just windows in houses of worship. Stained glass can enhance the beauty of a home, or even a business, in windows, hanging panels, transoms, cabinet doors, stepping stones and many more architectural and interior designs.

 

Stained glass Ivy Arched window

WINDOW PANELS

Stained glass windows are a great way to bring out the uniqueness and personality of your home. The glass itself varies in many colors, textures, and styles that will allow you a great amount of creativity in design. When the windows catch the sun, they bring out warmth and beauty making the room come alive.  Having stained glass windows is akin to having fine paintings on the walls of your home. The artistry and liveliness that shine through is unparalleled.

STEPPING STONES

Mosaic style designs used for outdoor stepping stones are an excellent way to instantly turn your patio, garden, backyard or any outdoor seating place into a gorgeous retreat. A theme can be created, giving homage to your favorite flowers, animals, country or to your family.  Stained glass stepping stones incorporate lively colors and pattern to your outdoor relaxation or recreation area.

SUNCATCHERS

Suncatchers are like floating works of art that can be placed anywhere. Hanging in a sunroom is an excellent choice to bring out the colors in the design. They can be hung in windows, on porches, placed on a mantle or a bookcase. Suncatchers are an excellent way to bring the beauty and creativity of stained glass into your home without spending a lot of money, and they make the best gifts or stocking stuffers.
These are just a few of the ideas that encompass all that is the art of stained glass. So when you think of stained glass now, you can picture your home enhanced with the color, light, beauty and artistry that it can bring in a variety of ways.

To see our styles of stained glass visit us at:  AGlassMenagerie.net

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Stained Glass Stepping Stones – Beautiful Garden Additions

Sun & Moon Stepping stone

Stained glass stepping stone walkways are the perfect way to enhance your outdoor living areas and add beauty to your surroundings. Mosaic stepping stones are not only a gorgeous addition, but also functional, leading the viewer to a specific area. One of the most important aspects of your property is the walkway that leads to the front door of your home. . There are many styles of paths, but the most beautiful is a stained glass stepping stone walkway.

Creating a mosaic stone path uses far less stones than a full walkway, while still keeping each footstep landing out of the dirt or wet grass. The stepping stones themselves may be round, hexagonal or square. In an artistically arranged garden, you can control the pace of the person using the path by setting the stones closer or farther, encouraging contemplation.

With the hexagon shaped stones we can create designs that interweave with one another.  The finished walkway will appear as if it were all one design continuing from one stone to the next.  Because of their shape this works fabulously with the hexagonal stones.  Imagine frogs leaping from one lily pad stone to the next.  Some stones could have geckos and even a turtle.

Curving pathways can easily be created with the round stepping stones.  Because of their shape they lend well to the curvature of the walkway.  Each design can be different or a theme set can be created.  Butterflies are a beautiful choice.  Some can be open-winged while others can be perched upon a flower or leaf and still others depicted in flight.

We also create larger square stones, bricks, double bricks and three sizes of round ones.  Why not intermingle them to create a really interesting walkway?  You are only limited by your imagination.  We can design any theme in any shape to suit your tastes.

To see our stained glass stepping stone designs click on links below:

Hexagonal Stepping stones
Round Stepping stones
Stepping stone sets

Stained Glass Colors and Textures Dazzle

Rainbow Tree of Life

The many dazzling colors and textures of stained glass never fails to amaze anyone.  There are over 2,000 colors and textures of stained glass made.  Some colors are combined by swirling the molten glass of two or more colors.  Watching the glass being made is truly awe inspiring.  I had the pleasure of touring both the Bullseye and Uroboros glass manufacturing facilities a number of years ago.  Seeing stained glass made on TV isn’t the same as seeing it done in person.  Huge glowing balls of molten glass were pulled out of these giant ovens.  The rooms were stifling hot. These hot molten balls of glass are placed on a special table that contained rollers.  The glass is then passed thru the various rollers to flatten it out into a long sheet.  Some of the rollers contain a pattern to imprint the texture onto the glass.  Another way of obtaining the texture is varying the speed of the rolling table so the glass will appear to have waves.  I could envision coming up with my own color combinations and would give it a try if given the chance despite the heat.

As a glass artist I have purchased samples from most all glass manufacturers.  The glass samples are meant to give the stained glass artist a general idea of the color and texture.  Please keep in mind that every sheet of glass is unique and therefore the images you see should only be used as a guideline.  Also, computer settings such as the gamma setting on your monitor and the amount of display colors on your video card may alter the colors of the images on your screen.

If you are aiming to have a stained glass window made then the artist wants to hear not only colors but what shade of colors.  For instance when a client states she wants “blue” I need to know what shade of blue.  There are hundreds of blues made by every manufacturer.  The better  color description you give will result in a better color selection for your project.  Even color combinations can be requested such as a blue and green textured glass.   There are so many combinations available even the artist can’t possibly know them all.  We have to search for just the right glass for you.   You just need to be specific.

Visit our site to see our colorful stained glass window and mosaic stepping stones at:  A Glass Menagerie.  We are located in Savannah, GA and ship throughout the US.

Stained Glass Pricing – Why so much?

stained glass window

Just like everything in life you get what you pay for.   True quality and craftmanship cost more.  If you want poorly made,  cheap glass work in your home then it is available everywhere. Lots of home improvement centers have these poorly made, cheap glass available.  These are typically made in China or Mexico using the poorest quality of glass and materials and have no craftsmanship whatsoever.  These pieces are often cut randomly on a computerized water-jet cutting machine and then slammed together by people working  for less than minimum wage.  Would you rather have a Volkswagen or a Rolls Royce?  Sure, they can both get you where you are going but a Volkswagen will always drive and sound like a Volkswagen.  It lacks the polish of a Rolls.  Heads turn when a Rolls is spotted.  Has your head ever turned for a Volkswagen?  You get what you pay for.

Building a stained glass window is quite labor intensive and requires years of practice to hone your skills, and a great understanding of the tools and medias.  It also takes total dedication and passion for the work to produce a high quality panel.  All my work is hand cut, hand assembled, copper foiled, and soldered.  There isn’t a machine that can reproduce the fine quality of a hand-made piece of art glass.  It’s actually an insult to the art itself.  Louis C. Tiffany would turn over in his grave if he could see what was happening in the stained glass art world today.  We cut our hands (almost daily) and are exposed to harsh chemicals and dangerous fumes.  It can take weeks or even months to build a stained glass commission piece.  We draw the design, find and buy the glass, chose and cut all the pattern pieces, grind the sharp edges, lead or foil every piece by hand, then solder, patina, scrub,  and wax.  We have to make sure all squares are true and circles are round.  This isn’t what they do in China and Mexico in the sweat shops.  We have spent years in fine tuning our skills, thousands of dollars on tools and even more on glass.  So, you say ” Why do you do it?”  Because we are a fool in love.  Do you really want the sweat shop glass or would you rather have a piece that is custom-made just for YOU by an artist that has poured his heart and soul into it?  You decide.

To see my work and inquire about having a custom piece done just for you visit:  AGlassMenagerie.net 

Ways of Using Stained Glass

When you think of stained glass, what do you see? We usually picture churches, cathedrals and temples with large art glass windows depicting images of religious significance. We probably imagine that warm colored light that shines through on Sundays as we sit in the pews. Stained glass is an art form that has been around for centuries; the main use being windows. However, stained glass is an art that spans much farther and wider than just windows in houses of worship. Stained glass can enhance the beauty of a home, or even a business, in windows, hanging panels, transoms, cabinet doors, stepping stones and many more architectural and interior designs.

Lotus Panel

WINDOW PANELS

Stained glass windows are a great way to bring out the uniqueness and personality of your home. The glass itself varies in many colors, textures, and styles that will allow you a great amount of creativity in design. When the windows catch the sun, they bring out warmth and beauty making the room come alive.  Having stained glass windows is akin to having fine paintings on the walls of your home. The artistry and liveliness that shine through is unparalleled.

STEPPING STONES

Mosaic style designs used for outdoor stepping stones are an excellent way to instantly turn your patio, garden, backyard or any outdoor seating place into a gorgeous retreat. A theme can be created, giving homage to your favorite flowers, animals, country or to your family.  Stained glass stepping stones incorporate lively colors and pattern to your outdoor relaxation or recreation area.

SUNCATCHERS

Suncatchers are like floating works of art that can be placed anywhere. Hanging in a sunroom is an excellent choice to bring out the colors in the design. They can be hung in windows, on porches, placed on a mantle or a bookcase. Suncatchers are an excellent way to bring the beauty and creativity of stained glass into your home without spending a lot of money, and they make the best gifts or stocking stuffers.
These are just a few of the ideas that encompass all that is the art of stained glass. So when you think of stained glass now, you can picture your home enhanced with the color, light, beauty and artistry that it can bring in a variety of ways.

To see our styles of stained glass visit us at:  AGlassMenagerie.net

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• Stained Glass – A Forever Gift (stainedglasswindowsetc.wordpress.com)
• Stained Glass – Custom Unique Christmas Gifts (stainedglasswindowsetc.wordpress.com)
• How to Get Stained Glass Window Repairs: All About Window Glass Repair (sbwire.com)

 

Stained Glass – A Forever Gift

Every year, almost everyone has to buy a present for that special person on their list that seems impossible to buy for…..you know……the one that already has everything!  With Christmas upon us you say to yourself; what shall I buy?

Consider one of our many stained glass gift  items. We offer a wide selection of stained glass stepping stones for you garden. Perhaps, you could start a collection of stones, each with a different family members name or grandchild’s name added to personalize their outdoor space or walkway to their favorite outdoor sitting area.

Another great idea are our pet portraits. All we need are a few good pictures of their beloved cat or dog and you can give the hard to buy for person on your list a gift that will delight them for years! If this isn’t in your budget, consider one of our clocks, suncatchers, or book-ends .These look absolutely amazing on a bookshelves or side tables.  Also, you can select from one of many style panels including traditional, contemporary, southwestern or  art deco/nouveau to suit their particular decor. Or perhaps, they already have some sort of collection and you want to add something great to it. Our custom designed stained glass pieces are sure to please!

Another fantastic option for an extra special gift would be custom stained glass windows inserted into cabinet door fronts. I made one for my mother-in-law for the small cabinet over her stove and years later, almost every time I talk to her she tells me how amazed her friends are when they see it. It became to focal point in her kitchen and now she has coordinated all of her linens and dinnerware to match it. So men, listen up! Give the special lady in your life a gift that truly keeps on giving……something shell never forget and something that will remind her of you each and every time she looks at it.

Butterfly lady with stained glass wings

Stained glass Mermaid window

Visit our site to see all products:  AGlassMenagerie.net or send us an Email request:  glassm2@yahoo.com

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