i think that another direction for me to head next (maybe in 6-9 months) might be mosaics... i had considered fusing but since it would require a whole different supply of glass (ie, i can't use the scrap glass i have now) i think those plans are not going to get off the ground...but the idea of mosaics seems more sensible...i am considering teaching my neighbor...it's something he could master without too much difficulty since he's had a lifetime of laying ceramic tiles, plastering walls and stone work...i don't see that this would be beyond his ability to execute a piece that i design... i'm not sure that he'd be able to master stained glass, tiffany technique, as easily.
if anyone here is doing work with glass mosaics, i'd like to hear about it..
Your neighbor shouldn't have any problems learning it. It's not difficult except maybe doing big walls. Here's Cole Sonafrank's site that you can look through.
hi Willy....if i'm not going to use it, i would certainly have to get rid of it.. however...i'm here in rural western turkey...where are you?
my supplier sells 'broken bits' for about $1 per kilo...shipping to you might eat up the savings...
i've just finished four windows (just the transom arches) and i have generated a LOT of scrap glass...it surprised me how much i have although i was very very careful when i cut out my windows..i tried to be as economical as possible since supplies are very 'dear' and hard to come by in this region of the world.
i have at least 1/2 of a
15" x 10" box of glass filled already...some pieces are going to be used in future projects but many are too small to 'recycle' into future works...
my neighbor can cut the scrap into 1cm squares if he's going to get into mosaics...
if not, i'm going to have to find a use for this glass...it's far too precious to just throw out...no one in a 300+ mile radius has colored glass like this...it has to be used, not wasted.
Although a newbie in fusing, I can tell you that pretty much any glass can be used in fusing. I have been using scrap glass in a number of my projects. I would say that Rule 1 is to test for the glass compatibility with anything you intend to give away or sell. It would never do for it to crack, split, shatter or disintegrate before the eyes of a customer, eh? There have been other posts here that explain the best ways of doing that testing. My preference is with the light box and polarized lens. Certainly there are a number of folks here that could speak to this with greater knowledge than yours truly...especially those that work with those fabulous pot melts! I hope to dive into those within the year.
Now this is a whole other world that I can definitely speak with some authority...I LOVE/HATE mosaics! Been doing them for years...primarily with ceramics and stone in the past, but with glass now for a couple of years. I love that my New England Yankee sensibilities of waste not, want not are met with mosaics. How awesome that "garbage" and broken bits can be turned into art!!! I hate mosaics, however, because the development of the design, cutting pieces, making sure that your idea is put forth with the placement of every little shard and bit of materials pretty much requires the patience of a saint. And, I, sirs and madams, never have to fear the call of Rome! It is incredible to me that I can absolutely despise the process and then be so delighted with the end result that I will put myself through the process again! As you describe your friend and neighbor, there is no doubt that he has the skill necessary to carry out the act of mosaics. The bigger question would be if he would have the interest and the inclination to invest the time and effort.
Hi Lori, And thanks for this. I too know the ambiguity of working with glass...even stained glass sometimes gets the better of me...the process not the result... my neighbor wants to help me...in essence, he'd be my assistant doing what i tell him to do. we live in a country where mosaics once thrived...3,000 years ago. each year new mosaics from ancient times are unearthed here...albeit not from glass....the finished pieces fascinate me...i could sit and look at the workmanship for hours but the question is - can i possibly translate them into my own work with glass...this is a question that remains unanswered as of yet.
what kind of 'cement'/ bonding materials do you use? i'd prefer to know the basic stuff because the stuff that's 'ready-made' might not be available here...even so, it would be very costly...
and as i explore the world of computer design programs...shall i look for something that turns a picture into a mosaic pattern?? does this exist even? has anyone here tried it?
You are quite right. It wouldn't be money wise for me to get these from you. I live in West Virginia, in the US. I do wish I was a bit closer. :) Thank you for replying and I hope your neighbor can help you out, and I hope you can help them. Never throw away good glass! If nothing else.... glue the pieces on plywood or any wood and make a work of art for your living area. Thank you.
Wow! I want a man that will do what I tell him to do!!! Do I have to move to Turkey to find one of those?
My requirement for an adhesive is that it can be used with non-porous materials, is waterproof and, most importantly, is the cheapest thing I can find at that given time. I tend to use clear silicones. Some folks don't like the flex in silicones, but I don't find issue with it since the grout firms the entire project. Since I love options, all my pieces are made to be installed inside or out. I use both sanded and unsanded grout dependent upon the gaps between the tiles. More than an 1/8" and you should use sanded. Once that has thoroughly dried I apply sealant to the grout. There are all kinds of additives out there that can be put in the grout prior to grouting, but I haven't personally used any of them.
i'd prefer to know
Basic grout is basic grout. I can't imagine spending extra for the "already-added-the-water" stuff...although I will occasionally pay a little extra for the already colored grout. Since both Home Depot and Lowes are handy to me, I just fetch whatever I need.
I saw your posting regarding the computer design programs and have to say that I probably wouldn't bother with a "proprietary" graphics program that is going to divide my pattern into a bunch of 8 1/2" x 11" sheets when I can print off one sheet and take it to my nearest OfficeMax and have them enlarge the pattern to, say, 20" x 24" on one sheet. I have had a number of programs (Adobe Illustrator, PaintShop Pro, MicroSoft Image Composer, blah, blah, blah...) that are multi-taskers, so I am not inclined to spend the money for a one-trick program. With that said, I think you would have to determine what is best suited for you personally. And, yes, in some of the programs I mentioned you can make the graphic look "mosaic", but I can't imagine why you would want to do that since it doesn't add anything to the party.
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