Tiffany Glass

It is impossible to estimate exactly how many stained glass artists have existed throughout history. One thing can be stated with certainty, however: there is no name that is more intricately connected to the art of stained glass than Louis Comfort Tiffany. Born in 1848, Tiffany was the creator of gorgeous art glass windows and lamps as well as the glass used to fabricate these works. Below is a brief overview of the importance of both Tiffany glass and its creator to art glass windows and the movement known as Art Nouveau.
One reason why Tiffany windows are notable is that they represent an alternative to painted art glass windows. With his innovations in glass production techniques, Tiffany was able to achieve most of the effects seen in painted works without applying enamels or stains. In other words, the textures, shading, and color combination's were integral parts of the art glass used in the creation of Tiffany windows. Many Tiffany windows resemble paintings created with oils or watercolors.

The diversity of textures and colors found in Tiffany windows is a remarkable aspect of these art glass windows, and this characteristic is a result of the many different types of glass developed by Louis Comfort. Relying on his training as a painter and his knowledge of the stained glass manufacturing process, he was able to create and patent his signature Favrile glass, which is both iridescent and slightly opaque. Other creations used in the production of Tiffany windows are: streamer glass, which has a surface onto which strings of glass are attached; fracture glass, which is highly textured and characterized by surface wafers; and ripple glass, which has a surface embellished with textured waves.

Stain Glass Windows

The art of making stained glass has an interesting history. Its inception can be traced back to the ancient Romans and Egyptians. In the beginning, its use was limited only to jewelry. Later, with development in the technology of making glass, it has now found its much popular use as church windows.
Since less people were literate in those times, biblical events found transcendental representation in the form of stained glass windows. Not much later, rich and the elite started getting it incorporated in their windows as a sign of their influence. Though, the earliest traces of these can be dated to the ninth century but written evidence about this art is found not as late as the twelfth century. Theophilus, a monk, in his work "On Diverse Arts" describes in detail the art of making this form of glass. Keeping in account the chapters he has dedicated to describe the overall process of making and using it, the popularity of this art can be ascertained.

During the last 1000 years of its development as an independent genre of art, making and the use of this form of glass art has witnessed a sea of changes. Earlier, mix of some colours and chemicals were used to stain the glass. However, in the present scenario, use of bronze and wood is also mixed with the art of making such crafted windows. Then, it was not only the technology that changed, even the subject matter of this art witnessed a major change. After the Protestant revolution in England and other parts of Europe, the subject matter started shifting away from religious inspirations and biblical contexts.

Leaded Glass Designs

Leaded Glass Designs

Glass Fusing Designs

Fused glass is the art of melting glass together in a planned (or random, if you wish) way to create something new out of the raw materials that you started with.  The idea is pretty basic - you melt glass together.  The options, though, that one has are limitless.  You can make jewelry, beads, plates, wall art, bowls, and a million other things.
In order to get started you need glass, a kiln, and molds.  Once the kiln is heated to the proper temperature, arrange the glass on top of the mold in the manner you wish and let it melt.  If the glass heats or cools too fast, it will break.  Monitoring the kiln during this process is extremely important.  As soon as the glass cools, you now have your newest creation!

Making jewelry such as pendants and beads is one of the most popular glass fusing techniques.  In order to create unique pendants, you must have unique molds.  Since molds are usually made from ceramic or metal, they can be difficult to create on your own, but there are many places around the web that carry many different options.  When the glass is in its molten state, you can reach in the kiln (carefully!) and swirl the molten glass to create new designs.

Glass Windows

Stained glass windows history began around 300 AD, being introduced into newly built churches by architects of that era. The beautifully designed glass told stories from the bible and soon began to be known as the poor man's bible. During the 16th Century there was much destruction to churches due to religious upset which, led to a need for restoration of stained glass windows.
During the 18th century the use of colored windows was no longer fashionable so there was no longer a great demand for glass art. Specialists within this field started to focus on restoring glass in churches and grand homes.

Due to World War II many designs had been lost or burnt during the bombing. Most files had been recycled into fire and other things. Artists during the great restoration period had to be taught the old technique of using glass colored within a pot, painted fired and then connected with lead. Using hydrofluoric acid to treat corroded glass and then scraped the glass with a metal tool. If the artist felt that the glass could not be restored new panels would be fitted.
In the 1800's stained glass came back into fashion with the influence of Tiffany glass, bold colors used on flat areas and heavily lined. It wasn't until the 1900's that colored glass windows were being used again by architects worldwide.

Stained Glass Windows For Sale

Stained glass windows have no doubt stood the test of time and for obvious reasons. They have an unparalleled way of illuminating light and creating an eye catching beauty in their surroundings. Although they are widely known and adored in places of worship, they have also become a unique treasure to many homeowners. Let's explore a few of the ways they can be used to enhance the beauty of your home.
Stained glass transom windows can be added to a front entrance and have a distinct way of welcoming your guests. These windows are timeless and will bring warmth and charm to your house throughout the year. They can be placed above or on either side of your door and come in many different complementary styles and sizes. Every home has its own personality and including a colorful transom to your front entryway will surely make it one of a kind.

Stained glass is also a creative way of bringing art into your bathroom spaces. Placing a window in your shower or over your bathtub creates a relaxing ambiance as well as maintains privacy. Privacy is one thing people do not usually think about when they are considering stained glass, but it is a valuable aspect, especially in a bathroom setting. Wouldn't it be great to let the sunlight shine in without having to be covered by drapes or mini blinds?
The kitchen is always a room that eagerly welcomes sunlight and color. Most homeowners love bright, colorful kitchens and including a stained glass window is clearly a way to enhance that. These windows can be added as cabinet doors to replace plain glass or wood faced cabinet fronts. They can be used as a skylight or they can easily hang in front of a window.

Antique Stained Glass Windows

One of the most beautiful additions you could make to your period home is with antique stainedglass. Although beautiful stained glass pieces are commonly found in churches and other religious buildings, antique stain glass and leaded glass is also commonly found in vintage homes. Antique stainedglass may be used in windows or skylights, and panels of it can be hung as a decorative element from windows or used in and around doors.
Antique stainedglass panels are made of small-cut pieces of colored glass that are held together by lead strips and supported in a frame. The glass is carefully arranged to form unique and intricate patterns. Leaded glass uses lead instead of the traditional calcium in its composition, and the result is a very brilliant glass that reflects light very well. Leaded glass is what certain types of crystal is made from.

Antique stainglass windows come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Square and rectangular shapes are common, but stained glass pieces are also available in round and oval shapes as well. Antique stained glass panels may be used to adorn the upper portion of ribbon windows, which are often featured in Prairie, Craftsman and Modernistic-style homes. Antique leaded stained glass was also popular in use with Victorian-era architecture, including the Queen Anne style. In this type of home the glass might be featured in smaller panes surrounding a large pane of glass, or a patterned piece could be placed over a blank lower pane of glass.

Stained Glass Art

f you're a churchgoing person, then you're more than familiar with stained glass windows. These pieces make up a huge percentage of religious artwork, and depict scenes from the Bible and important religious figures. They were the photographs of their time: a historical record of important events for all to see, which was important as most of the population was illiterate. The history of stained and colored glass artwork is long and interesting, dating back to the beginnings of the last millennium.
Alas, the first of these windows is lost to history, and their origins can only be debated. Mosaics and jewelry makers are credited with developing the technique that created colored glass art as we know it, which arose during an increase in church construction. However, colored glass had been produced since the days of the Egyptian and Roman empires, both of which surpassed others when it came to manufacturing small, stained glass objects.

Churches caught onto the beauty of this art in the 4th and 5th centuries during the rise of church building, and many windows from this time period remain. British churches and monasteries began to adopt stained glass windows as part of their decor in the 7th century, when French workmen began to glaze the windows of monasteries.
Stained glass reached its acme in the Middle Ages. It served a two-fold purpose: 1. It was beautiful to look at and 2. Since most citizens couldn't read the Bible, the window art served as a television of sorts by illustrating the events to the illiterate. The pieces from this era have become known as the "Poor Man's Bible." This trend continued into the Gothic Era, when architectural design forced windows to grow larger, giving artists more of a canvas to work on.