Large Window Light Box ... continued

This piece of art came to a screeching halt at 95 % complete.   To recap ...

Using clear silicone caulk, attached each cut stained glass square (6 x 6 & 6 x 6 1/2) to the inside pane.
Using wood screws, attached metal brackets on the four outside corners for additional support.
Using the Dremel, ground out and opening on the bottom for the electrical cord.
Attached hardware on side edges and 50 pound weight hanging wire.
Attached florescent light fixture.

The finished piece weighs 20 pounds.  I decided this I rather hang the piece in the front entry versus the guest room so we could enjoy it, which changed the hanging from horizontal to vertical. 

Beau helped me hang it up, and I plugged it in and stepped back to for the first appreciative glance and .... UH OH ... either the florescent light is to bright or I should not have choose glass quite this translucent ... or both.   

I thought about changing the florescent light out to small clear Christmas lights stapled into the insides, but decided that  would also not work well as the wires would be clearly visible.   I think the only possible fix will be clear tube lights.     So, the next day we headed off to Home Depot for tube lights.   But, alas, they consider them a seasonal item ... available for Christmas decorating.   I looked online and found I could buy a 6 foot set for about $27.    Excuse me, but that is robbery.   At Christmas they sell for less than $5.    So ... on hold.

But, at least, it still looks decent without the light.   I'm going to keep it hanging in the entry as I have a tendency for 'out of sight, out of mind'.    I know there is an answer.

Large Window Light Box

I came across this large window pane type light fixture at a yard sale about a month ago.    I tried talking myself out of it; even walked off twice, but, in the end, it was only $5, which was truly a bargain.     The woman told me it had been the kitchen overhead light fixture in her Mothers House and she'd brought it home to convert it to a trellis for her garden ... a project that apparently never happened.

I knew exactly what I would do with it, just took me a month to decide where to place it when it's finished.   This is, really, the crucial decision, as its' placement dictates the colors.   After measuring a variety of places, I decide it will hang in the guest bedroom, which currently is clothed in earthy type colors. 

This piece measures 4'2" x 2'2"; it's the largest window light box I've made so far.

--  Took the frame to the garage and lightly sanded to remove finish.   Applied a coat of wood reconditioner (it is very dry with raised grain) and let it sit for a couple hours.
--  Selected and brown paint, watered it down a bit and reapplied in a distressed fashion.
--  Dug through my stained glass sheets and selected colors that were somewhat earthy.   A couple of the pieces are a bit of a stretch, however, the goal was to use up some of the existing inventory; I certainly don't want to go out and buy more glass at this stage.
--  Cut 16 panels that are 6" x 6".
--  Cut 16 panels that are 6" by 6 1/2".

Picked it all up and put it away.   Lilly is coming to visit tomorrow and I don't want to risk having glass out on which she might get cut.   I"ll pick up a light fixture and appropriate hardware at The Box and continue working on this over the weekend. 

Refrigerator Magnets using my Grafitti Papers

A couple days back I decided I'd make some more refrigerator magnets with some of my painted papers.   I ordered 200 3/4" magnets off Ebay and they came in yesterday.

• Cut a couple inches off  6 different pages and cut down to size to fit on the back of glass globes (from inventory).  The steps are real easy ... 
• Cut out the paper backing (this is heavy scrapbook paper ... the type from the old vintage paper photo albums).  

• Glue the paper, front side to the back of the glass gem & allow to dry for a couple hours.

• Glue magnet to the back of the paper coated glass gem and allow to dry for a couple hours. 
• Clean the top surface of the glass gem with nail polish remover (to remove any glue residue)

I'm using clear acrylic caulk as the adhesive as it's more durable (not water soluble).    I plan on using them as give-aways with art/craft shipments and will put some up for sale in the upcoming art/craft sales.   

I like the looks of these.  These are some heavy duty magnets.   I'd set them out on the table and they slide together; something not highly desireable while they are in the drying process.   I ended up having to put them on a dish towel so they couldn't slide.    Think I made about 70 today; I'll create some more tomorrow.

Cutting Stained Glass

I have such a variety of things going on that I'm trully not accomplishing much of anything. For example ... Cutting Stained Glass.

A couple weeks ago I got an email from a woman who had previously purchased some stained glass tiles from me in my old Etsy shop and she needed some more. I checked and had the glass, so I cut and sent tem to her. Which, of course, got me to re-evaluating all the glass I have with absolutely not plans on using. So, I arrived at the conclusion that I'll save one sheet of each of the colors (in case something inspired me), and cut up the rest for sale. So, I work on it here and there. Cut, tumble for 30 minutes, photo and list in my supplies shop ... a slow process, that's for sure.

Tutorial -- Glass Globe Magnets

Sometime back I brought home this set of 9 magnets and they 've been sitting on my side table ever since. Today I was thinking I need to start an inventory box for magnets, and then, on second thought, I decided just to go ahead and use them ... NOW. These are really strong magnets and will work great on the refridgerator.


1) Select Glass Gems that are the same size, or slightly larger than your magnets. The globes can be clear or lightly colored, depending upon look you wish to achieve.
2) Select papers or fabrics to show through the glass.
3) Trace your glass globe onto your paper or fabric and cut out inside the tracing line.



4) Lay out your globes, the magnet and your cutouts, along with your adhesive. I've used clear silicone caulk (my favorite adhesive for non-jewelry). It is not water soluble, goes on white and dries clear.
4) Place a thin layer of adhesive on your glass gem. Position your paper or fabric on the gem. Use a brayer, or credit card, and smooth it out.
5) Place a thicker layer of adhesive on the back of the paper and position your magnet.
6) Use a pallet knife, or wide toothpick, and remove any excess adhesive the oozes out the edges.
7) Clean off any excess adhesive from the edges and let it set until dry.

I Did Love My Stained Glass

I'm retooling my studio space. Moving out all the stuff that I no longer spend time with and bringing the current passions to center stage. Or .. out with paper and glass and in with beads and the fabrics.

On the bottom shelf of one of the cabinets was this stained glass. Oh, how I loved the stained glass. Designing it in the mosiacs, shopping and bringing home all those glorious colors, cutting it into the little pieces ... And, this is what's left. I don't plan on anymore mosaic work, but at first said I was going to keep these pieces (there's probably about 80 full sheets along with a good number of partials) for use in a periodic window (although I don't need anymore of these, I still like to give them as gifts when i come across the perfect base), but 3 years have gone by and I've still not used it. So, I thought that I should cut it up and sell it to mosaic artists. But, the truth is, I like having it. Just having it, even if there is no specific purpose.

So, I pulled it out of the cabinets and stored into into a couple boxes, which Beau helped me relocate to a safe space out in the garage. I like knowing its there .... Just in case.