A-little-bit-about-stained-glass
By PaulGlover
Ask any average person about and the reaction will most probably be something along the lines of, 'Oh sure, yeah - it's pretty. I like it.' But there's much more to than aesthetics. This ancient art form has a rich history throughout the time of mankind and by having it installed in your home, you're literally bringing that history into your daily existence.

Stained Glass Has Historical Roots

Historically, ancient Romans are credited as being among the first to make and use colored glass in architecture. However, windows really made their mark in Gothic churches - which is rather significant in itself.

This is because Pre-Gothic churches preferred and actually restricted artwork to the surfaces of walls, mosaic floors, or painting canvases. But growing to lavish decoration, the churches began to run out of 'space' and thus started to decorate their windows with stained glass.

Stained Glass Has Spiritual Roots, Too

Spiritually, the in church offered its patrons a richly colored experience to accompany its richly spiritual sermons. It isn't uncommon to experience the calming effect that sunlight has on us by simply shining through stained glass.

Heavily based on Christian themes, the most popular designs depicted scenes from the Bible and just a few centuries later, birthed from the hands of well-known artisans like Albrecht Dürer, Ghiberti, and Donatello.

Today however, themes revolve around nature as florals or just as interesting geometric patterns - and you can find stained glasswork by Henri Matisse in Vence, France and Marc Chagall in Jerusalem. And of course we're all familiar with the gorgeous work of Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Stained Glass Mystery Solved

One can't help but to wonder how is made - whether it's part of the windows for beautiful French doors or it's the shade for a small lamp. is as intriguing in beauty as it is in its formation.

In the past, began as wood! A artist would draw a design on a piece of wood that was the same size of a particular window. Next, the artist would color that glass by adding mineral salts (or oxides) as it was being made. If a colored proved too dark (like red), the artist would 'flash' it - that is, fuse a very thin layer of it onto a much thicker layer of clear glass. In fact, the flashing technique was commonly employed to make double-pained Windows for even more interesting visual effects.

The artist then cut the glass according to the pattern drawn on the wood.

Placed in a temporary setting, the colored glass was lightly painted over with dark tones to not only give the design a three dimensional look, but also to tone down some brightly colored areas. To highlight a specific area, the artist might scrape off a little bit of the dark pigment. The end result is nothing short of a beautiful assortment of pleasing complimentary colors.

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

About the Author:
PaulGlover
Author Paul White represents FloridaHomeBuild.com. A site designed to help home owners from Florida locate local home contractors with their home improvement projects. Visit Our Site : http://www.FloridaHomeBuild.com

   Blue Dichroic Glass Earrings
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/2524-Blue-Dichroic-Glass-Earrings"><img alt="Customfordee_2_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/6545/customfordee_2_medium.jpg" /></a><p>These fused glass earrings are made with sparkling sky blue Coatings by Sandberg dichroic glass and are capped with clear glass for depth. They measure 11 mm in diameter, and have sterling silver posts and butterfly nut closures.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/2524-Blue-Dichroic-Glass-Earrings">$12.00</a>
Pink Nautilus Dichroic Glass Pendant
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/2042-Pink-Nautilus-Dichroic-Glass-Pendant"><img alt="36x22pinknaut_2_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/5073/36x22pinknaut_2_medium.jpg" /></a><p>This fused glass nautilus pendant is made with pink Coatings by Sandberg dichroic glass on pink art glass. It measures 36 mm x 22 mm and is strung on an adjustible leather cord necklace with sterling silver lobster claw clasp.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/2042-Pink-Nautilus-Dichroic-Glass-Pendant">$38.00</a>
Cabochons - Retro Stripey Fused Glass Cab Lot
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/1365-Cabochons-Retro-Stripey-Fused-Glass-Cab-Lot"><img alt="5725279_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/3229/5725279_medium.jpg" /></a><p>This cab lot has 10 freeform 16-17 mm cabs with lime green, spring green and black stripes on a white art glass base.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/1365-Cabochons-Retro-Stripey-Fused-Glass-Cab-Lot">$13.00</a>
Green Ripple Dichroic Fused Glass Pendant
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/1338-Green-Ripple-Dichroic-Fused-Glass-Pendant"><img alt="5873348_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/3137/5873348_medium.jpg" /></a><p>This dichroic pendant is designed with green-gold shift ripple textured Coatings by Sandberg dichroic glass that has blue accents, and is capped with clear glass for depth. It measures 36 mm x 22 mm, including the sterling silver-plated pendant bail.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/1338-Green-Ripple-Dichroic-Fused-Glass-Pendant">$24.00</a>
Purple Stripey Fused Glass Drop Pendant
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/1212-Purple-Stripey-Fused-Glass-Drop-Pendant"><img alt="5843668_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/2833/5843668_medium.jpg" /></a><p>My art glass drop pendants are fused in a special process that requires no fewer than three firings in the kiln to form, anneal, shape and fire polish the glass.</p> <p>This fused glass pendant has alternative stripes of purple art glasses. It measures 32 mm x 22 mm, including the sterling silver (stamped .925) pendant bail.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/1212-Purple-Stripey-Fused-Glass-Drop-Pendant">$25.00</a>
Pink and Yellow Dichroic Pendant
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/1160-Pink-and-Yellow-Dichroic-Pendant"><img alt="5713689_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/2713/5713689_medium.jpg" /></a><p>This pendant is designed with pink and yellow Coatings by Sandberg dichroic glass, spaced with fuchsia pink art glass, and is capped with clear glass for depth. It was fused and annealed for strength, shaped and then fire polished in my home studio. It measures 44 mm x 20 mm, including the sterling silver-plated pendant bail.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/1160-Pink-and-Yellow-Dichroic-Pendant">$25.00</a>
Dichroic Cab Grab Bag (10)
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/1081-Dichroic-Cab-Grab-Bag-10-"><img alt="Cabgrab_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/2505/cabgrab_medium.jpg" /></a><p>Grab bag contains ten (10) orphan cabs in an assortment of colors, measuring between 9 mm and 16 mm in length. Colors and sizes will be a fun surprise!</p> <p>If you need specific colors or a matched set, please send me a message to place a custom order.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/1081-Dichroic-Cab-Grab-Bag-10-">$10.00</a>
Tesselation Dichroic Glass Pendant
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/1015-Tesselation-Dichroic-Glass-Pendant"><img alt="5362618_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/2349/5362618_medium.jpg" /></a><p>This fused glass pendant is made with sparkling blue Savoy Studios &#8220;Tesselation&#8221; dichroic glass, and is capped with clear glass for depth. It measures 50 mm x 20 mm, including the sterling silver-plated pendant bail.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/1015-Tesselation-Dichroic-Glass-Pendant">$28.00</a>
Green Nautilus Dichroic Pendant
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/993-Green-Nautilus-Dichroic-Pendant"><img alt="5776828_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/2297/5776828_medium.jpg" /></a><p>This fused glass pendant is made with sparkling blue-green shift Savoy Studios &#8220;Nautilus&#8221; dichroic glass, and is capped with clear glass for depth. It measures 38 mm x 22 mm, including the sterling silver-plated pendant bail.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/993-Green-Nautilus-Dichroic-Pendant">$25.00</a>
Green Wave Dichroic Glass Pendant
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/895-Green-Wave-Dichroic-Glass-Pendant"><img alt="5336550_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/2057/5336550_medium.jpg" /></a><p>This fused glass pendant is made with sparkling green Savoy Studios &#8220;Wave&#8221; dichroic glass, and is capped with clear glass for depth. It measures 26 mm x 18 mm, including the sterling silver-plated pendant bail.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/895-Green-Wave-Dichroic-Glass-Pendant">$28.00</a>
Green Mat Poker Card Protector
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/878-Green-Mat-Poker-Card-Protector"><img alt="5478847_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/2013/5478847_medium.jpg" /></a><p>Protect your cards from being mucked by another player or the dealer with this flashy fused glass card protector. Card protectors (also called card guards, spinners or covers) are placed on top of the cards after they are dealt to prevent the dealer from thinking you have folded.</p> <p>This card protector is made with sparkling green-yellow shift Savoy Studios &#8216;Mat&#8217; dichroic glass, and is capped with clear glass for depth. It was kiln fused and annealed for strength and durability. It measures 1 5/8 inches x 1 1/2 inches.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/878-Green-Mat-Poker-Card-Protector">$28.00</a>
Mixed Lot of Fused Glass Cabs
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/837-Mixed-Lot-of-Fused-Glass-Cabs"><img alt="Mixedcablot_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/1917/mixedcablot_medium.jpg" /></a><p>Mixed lot of 10 fused glass cabochons. Cabs measure between 13 mm and 18 mm in length.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/837-Mixed-Lot-of-Fused-Glass-Cabs">$10.00</a>
Abstract Blue Fused Glass Earrings
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/787-Abstract-Blue-Fused-Glass-Earrings"><img alt="5677803_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/1777/5677803_medium.jpg" /></a><p>These fused glass dangle earrings are made with dichroic glass on turquoise blue art glass. They hang from Thai silver (.995) flower posts with four petals. The glass measures 30 mm x 10 mm.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/787-Abstract-Blue-Fused-Glass-Earrings">$22.00</a>
Blue-Green Oak Dichroic Fused Glass Pendant
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/767-Blue-Green-Oak-Dichroic-Fused-Glass-Pendant"><img alt="5755069_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/1741/5755069_medium.jpg" /></a><p>This fused glass pendant is made with sparkling blue-green shift Savoy Studios &#8220;Oak&#8221; dichroic glass, and is capped with clear glass for depth. It measures 44 mm x 26 mm, including the sterling silver-plated pendant bail.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/767-Blue-Green-Oak-Dichroic-Fused-Glass-Pendant">$24.00</a>
Persia Dichroic Fused Glass Pendant
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/748-Persia-Dichroic-Fused-Glass-Pendant"><img alt="5359669_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/1689/5359669_medium.jpg" /></a><p>This fused glass pendant is made with sparkling green Savoy Studios &#8220;Persia&#8221; dichroic glass, and is capped with clear glass for depth. It measures 36 mm x 24 mm, including the sterling silver-plated pendant bail.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/748-Persia-Dichroic-Fused-Glass-Pendant">$28.00</a>
Focal Bead - Fused Glass Flower
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/672-Focal-Bead-Fused-Glass-Flower"><img alt="Swirlbead4_3_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/1485/swirlbead4_3_medium.jpg" /></a><p>This swirling fused glass flower bead has purple, green and blue hues with a hint of red. It measures 26 mm in diameter and has a 1.8 mm hole for stringing. Leather cord is for display purposes only.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/672-Focal-Bead-Fused-Glass-Flower">$20.00</a>
Red Spot Fused Glass Cabs (10)
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/650-Red-Spot-Fused-Glass-Cabs-10-"><img alt="15mmwhitered_4_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/1413/15mmwhitered_4_medium.jpg" /></a><p>Lot of ten (10) freeform fused glass cabochons to use in your jewelry designs. These cabs have a red and white base with red and black frit and red stringer. They measure approximately 15 mm in length.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/650-Red-Spot-Fused-Glass-Cabs-10-">$12.00</a>
Lot of Fused Glass Cabs (10)
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/554-Lot-of-Fused-Glass-Cabs-10-"><img alt="14-17mmwhitecabs_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/1165/14-17mmwhitecabs_medium.jpg" /></a><p>Lot of ten (10) freeform fused glass cabochons to use in your jewelry designs. These cabs have a white base with egyptian blue, black, light violet and white frit. They measure between 14 and 17 mm in length.</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/554-Lot-of-Fused-Glass-Cabs-10-">$12.00</a>
Lot of Fused Glass Cabochons (13)
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/395-Lot-of-Fused-Glass-Cabochons-13-"><img alt="Blobcabs_2_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/product/0000/0749/blobcabs_2_medium.jpg" /></a><p>Thirteen (13) freeform fused glass cabochons to use in your jewelry designs. These cabs have an olive base with white, woodland brown and black speckles. They measure between 14 and 17 mm in length (1/2 to 3/4 inch).</p><a href="http://www.mintd.com/products/show/395-Lot-of-Fused-Glass-Cabochons-13-">$15.00</a>
Organic Fused Glass
<a href="http://www.mintd.com/lookbooks/show/75-Organic-Fused-Glass"><img alt="Fusedglasscabs_medium" src="http://www.mintd.com/system/media/lookbook/0000/0121/fusedglasscabs_medium.jpg" /></a><p>Speckled fused glass cabochons. Use them in your jewelry designs, <span class="caps">PMC</span> and polymer clay creations. They also make beautiful ring or pin focals.</p> <p>Custom orders are welcome!</p>

How To Stained Glass
Make Stained Glass

Using The Stained Glass In Order To Enhance Your Home Atmosphere
able border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 align=center bgcolor=000000 Read more...