Crash Glass

Crash Glass Added

Layout without Crash Glass

This Saturday I took a Crash Glass Class at Harmony Stained Glass www.harmonystainedglass.com/  
The  first time I saw an example of crash glass I knew I had to learn how to do this.  I happened to be at Harmony Stained Glass Shop looking for a certain piece of glass  when I saw the sign-up sheet.  I knew it was a popular class and fills up quickly, so before I left the store I signed up. 
The class was taught by Lisa Morales who was a great teacher with lots of patience and understanding.  She had knowledge of the glass, layout and color.  You can see some of her work in her etsy shop at www.apinchofwonderful.estsy.com  I have not added the grout as Lisa is ordering a certain grout color that she suggested would look good with my project.  Meanwhile I need to paint the back and sides of the board and add something to hang it with.  After it is grouted, I have some trinkets to add to the top of my piece.  Once my project is completed, I will post the final picture.

Glass Paint Workshop

I went to Texas Art Supply Store(www.texasart.com/)  to find a paint for glass.  This store is a dream for any artist or crafter.  They have all sorts of supplies for school, art or craft/hobby projects. I never leave that store without buying something.  While checking out, I saw a flyer advertising a free pebeo (www.pebeo.com) Glass Paint Workshop.  Yes, that's right "Free", -- so I signed up for the class.

Texas Art Supply called me the day before to remind me of the class.  I asked what should I bring with me and was told "Everything will be provided."  I thought this must be a demonstration and not a workshop. 

As I walked into class, I was told to grab a glass from one of the tables.  There were flower vases, wine glasses, champagne glasses and jars all made out of glass.  I chose a wine glass. 

The class was conducted by Kat Kurganand, who works for the pebeo  Company based in France.  She first introduced the three different types of pebeo paints that were being demonstrated.
Vitrea 160 - heat set
Vitrail - air dry
Porcelaine 150 - heat set
Kat had several pieces that had been painted and fired to show us the difference in paints. 

After several questions answered we were given paint brushes and free to choose which color paints and other supplies to start painting our glass.   I first chose the Vitrail which has a transparent color.  I did not like the outcome, so I cleaned my wine glass and then used the Porcelaine 150 which has an opaque look.  I painted grapes with a vine of leaves swirled all around my wine glass.  The paint dryed fast, enough to get it home.  I waited the twenty-four hours before heat setting it in the oven.  As I set it on a cookie sheet to put in the oven, the wine glass tipped over and broke into pieces. I was upset at first, but then realized I could use this as a learning experience and after all, it did not cost me any money.
  
Many thanks toTexas Art Supply and pebeo for this fun free workshop and for providing the refreshments.  By the way, I was also added to Texas Art Supply e-mail list for upcoming workshops.