Glass Decorating Techniques
Modern techniques for the production of stained glass are similar to traditional ones. Both start with the production of glass by melting sand, potash and lime together in clay pots.
Pot Metal Glass
In traditional production methods colour is created by adding oxides, for example a copper oxide will colour it red, cobalt blue and iron green. This is called pot-metal glass which unfortunately is often coloured too intensely, not letting through enough light. One can opt to fall back on flashed glass which is fabricated by blowing a lump of hot white glass, at a temperature of above 2000°F (1093°C), on the end of a blowpipe into shape after dipping it in a pot of colour. A thin sheet of colour is formed on one side which can later be thinned or partially removed by grazing it with an abrasive wheel. It lets more light through and produces two-coloured glass panes.
Silver Stain Glass
The "silver stain" method of colouring glass was discovered in the fifteenth century and allowed for a whole new range of colours to be worked with. It is prepared by painting a thin layer of silver paint onto one side, fixating it by firing the glass in a kiln. Artists are able to paint onto this specially prepared glass just like they would paint on canvas with oil paints, administering complicated perspectives and intricate details.
Paper used to be a scarce resource. Designs were thus drawn on whitened tabletops before being traced onto large glass. These were cut into shape and details were added by applying iron oxide pigments which were permanently fixated by firing them until they melted onto the glass.
Modern Techniques
Modern day techniques vary from older ones insofar that artists heavily rely on modern technology and utensils. Designs are drawn onto paper and traced through the glass with brown or black paint made of oxides, gum and powdered glass. A glass cutter is used for rough cuts; smooth-jawed pliers are used to trim corners and curves. As in traditional production techniques, the specifically shaped panes of glass a re assembled together and held in place by metal rods and joints are soldered individually. Finally, mastic or oily cement is brushed hard into all joints to make them watertight.
Today, glass decorators use a variety of modern techniques when decorating glass. Glass engraving on glasses or lamps, glass painting, beadwork and mosaic are all popular. Designs are no longer solely religious; they can include anything from picturesque landscapes to abstract patterns.
Modern day techniques for decorating glass include engravings, bead-work and mosaics. Engravings are used to give glasses, lamps and decorative pieces an artistic touch. Decorated glass is also used to make jewellery, custom glass tiles and buttons. Exploring new options presents infinite possibilities but not at the expense of traditional, religious, uses.