AdammsGallery

Leaking Leaded Glass Windows

Leaking  Leaded Glass Windows If you have older leaded or stained glass windows you may be experiencing leaks. You may see this as droplets forming on the lead came, and dripping down the window, or as a pool of water at the window sill. Remember that water flows down hill, so if you see water anyplace on the window or sill it is most likely coming from a place higher up. After the rain stops and the water dries you will see water marks where the water has dripped. DO NOT CLEAN these off. The dried spots will help us determine where the leaks actually are.     Leaks may be from dried out a flaking putty, or they may be from broken, or missing lead came. On older windows(65-100 years old), the smog and acid rains have disintegrated the heart of the lead came, and in many cases it just falls apart. Also improper repairs lead to weakened windows and cause leaks. If the leaks are caused from dried out and missing glazing putty we reglaze by forcing the new putty into the lead came between the glass and the lead. The right type of putty will last for many years. The correct putty is metal sash putty. It is either black or grey in color, and is oil based. It should not be thinned with paint thinner, or turpentine. This will only dilute it too much, and cause it to dry out and flake. Do not use white putty. It is meant for wooden sash. Also, by all means, DO NOT USE SILICON. Silicon may seal temporarily, but it will make a mess, and only increase the cost of a repair because it has to be cleaned off before a proper repair can be successful.                             Broken Came      If your window is very old and the lead came has gaps, or holes your window probably needs to be removed and releaded. In this case we rebuild your window with your old glass and new lead came. We will also replace any broken, or badly etched(water stained) glass. To reglaze the window we try to clean out as much old dried out putty as we can. Then we force the new putty into the lead channel. After the window is reglazed the putty needs to set up, so we need a few clear days. Otherwise the new putty stands a chance of being washed out in a heavy rain. On a large window it may take two or three applications before the reglazing is successful. Of course if we totally restore your window you will have a quality window that will last many, many years. IF YOU NEED US WE ARE READY !Adamm's Stained Glass   1426 4th St. Santa Monica, CA 90401  310 451 9390  [email protected]

Bob and Laurie Kliss Glass Artists

     People react to art glass in a variety of ways. After all art glass is not for everyone. There are many days when someone pokes their head in the doorway of the gallery, takes a quick look around, then turns away and leaves. Sometimes a couple comes in for a look, and while one is having a fantastic time being amazed at the great glass art, the other is bored to death, and could not get out quick enough. Then of course we have couples, and families that blossom when they visit, and of course purchase glass for their home or gifts for friends.

                                  

                                              Bobtanicals          

                        


                                   Bobtanical Tea Pot                                                        

     Collectors also have different opinions of what they like. Some people look for very colorful pieces that make them happy. Others want their art to start a conversation, and look for intriguing pieces. There are those who collect small pieces, and others that enjoy very large works, still more want cutting edge sculptures, but by far the whimsical, colorful pieces are admired by the largest audience. Among these are the work of artist Bob Kliss and his wife Laurie.  Kliszewski glass is whimsical, colorful, and the definition of creative. For many years they have been making their "Bobtanicals" which are hand blown glass sculptural pieces in a variety of happy colors, and a softly etched surface. These include floral designs and teapots. Bob and Laurie's work is collected in groupings, as individual pieces,and given as gifts. I can honestly say that I have never had one of their pieces returned or exchanged. They are that special!

           

          Maude's Murrini Bomb Vase                  Maude's Murrini Bomb Vase     

 

                                  

                                           IkeBOBana trio vase

 

     After many years of success with the Bobtanical series Bob has created two new works. Maude's Murrini Bomb Vase is a colorful etched sphere (available in many colors)with multiple murrini's scattered on the surface. These are approximately 5" in diameter, and make great accent pieces. Bob's other new addition is the IkeBOBana trio vase. This new piece differs from their usual style in that the bowl has  a vibrant glossy finish. The vase has three glass flowers set in  copper stems and leaves with a verde patina. The IkeBOBana is a very stunning piece.

     As usual Bob sells through as number of glass galleries throughout the United States, and he may also be see at some of the best craft shows in the country. If you are in the Southern California area stop by Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery in Santa Monica. You will surely have a good time.

Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery 1426 4th St. Santa Monica, CA. 90401  *  310 451 9390  *  adammsgallery.com

Sandblast Etch of a Mirror

Etched Mirror 

 Mirror with resist before sandblasting          finished mirror 

    

  This was a relatively straight forward job.  The customer had seen a similar mirror we had made nearly 8 years ago. We had installed it on a yacht in Marina Del Rey, CA.  He has a magnificent 86' Sea Ray Yacht, and wanted the same basic design. While we didn't have an image of the original he described what he wanted.  We added the heart with his and his wife's names.

     We etched the front surface of the mirror. We usually etch and carve from the back. However in this case the mirror was being mounted over an existing mirror.  We felt the double mirror image would be too confusing to the eye. We used "Mask Off" resist masking tape. We chose a playful font for the names to give the mirror a South Seas feel. It went well with the onboard ambiance of the Sea Ray. Most of the detail is shaded, although there were a few areas where we slightly carved the surface.

     Photographing the mirror was a challenge.  Each time I kept getting my image in the picture as well as background reflections. Finally I layed the mirror on a flat surface looking at the ceiling. It worked much better, but not perfect.

     By the way, the clients absolutely loved it.

Replacing an etched glass backgammon board

     Remember back in the 70's and 80's when everyone played backgammon. All the bars had backgammon tables set up. In fact some of them were all backgammon. Well  we had a customer bring in a great backgammon board from the 1970's. The board had the etched glass backgammon pattern in two pieces framed in wood with brass fittings. Even though it was only about 40 years old it looked like an antique. It was obviously mush loved and had gotten a lot of use.

     One of the glass board pieces was broken. I was a little hesitant at first about taking apart the frame.  i thought we might scare it up a bit. I put it in Alberto's hands and there was not any indication that it had been taken apart and reassembled.

     After the frame was opened we cut a duplicate piece of double strength glass. We made a rubbing of the old etched glass for a pattern, and from it made a readable pattern.  After applying sandblast resist tape to one side of the glass we transferred the pattern to the taped glass. Using an Exacto knife we then cut out the pattern and pealed back the area on the glass that needed to be etched. All that was left to do was sand blast the glass. This we did using 100 grit aluminum oxide.  We use aluminum oxide instead of sand for two reasons.  First there is less dust as the aluminum oxide does not break down as quickly as sand.  Also because it doesn't break down as fast it lasts much longer and we keep recycling it.

    We reassembled the board and it looked like new.  The customer was thrilled, and of course every time we have a happy customer we are happy.

Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery

1426 4th St.

Santa Monica, CA 90401

www.adammsgallery.com

Ralph Mossman and Mary Mullaney Glass Artists

Ralph Mossman and Mary Mullaney   are a husband and wife team as well as extremely accomplished glass blowers.  They both work equally in the production of each piece. Their glassblowing routine is a dance executed to the finest detail.    Ralph and Mary have a standard line of blown glass that includes perfume bottles, goblets and cups, and ornaments. They use centuries old Venetian techniques for these exquisite works. Some of these are the use of murrine (common pluralization murrini) is an Italian term for colored patterns or images made in a glass cane (long rods of glass) that are revealed when cut in cross-sections. Murrine can be made in infinite designs—some styles are more familiar, such as millefiore. Artists working in glass design murrine in a variety of ways from simple circular or square patterns to complex detailed designs to even portraits of people. Murrine are designed by layering different colors of molten glass around a core, then heating and stretching it into a rod. When cool, the rod is sliced into cross-sections of desired thickness with each slice possessing the same pattern in cross-section. The murrine process first appeared in the Mideast more than 4,000 years ago and was revived by Venetian glass makers on Murano in the early 16th century), and Zanfirico,a glassblowing technique that is used to add intricate patterns and stripes to vessels or other blown glass objects. Cane refers to rods of glass with color; these rods can be simple, containing a single color, or they can be complex and contain many strands of multiple colors in pattern. Created in a wide variety of color each is a little treasure. In addition to these  Ralph and Mary create a collection of blown and sand carved pieces, assembled vases using various fusing techniques, and other built up blown glass object.     Their Christmas ornaments are a must for any serious collector. Here at Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery we have been representing Ralph and Mary for over 20 years.  Every shipment that arrives is eagerly opened with great anticipation.  We are never dissappointed. Stained Glass & Gallery 1426 4th St.  Santa Monica, CA 90401 310 451 9390

Tommie Rush "The Joy of Being a Glass Artist"

          

 

I was speaking to Tommie Rush yesterday. Every time I talk to Tommie I feel full of laughter and joy. This woman is a wonderful, optimistic, and loving person. Her work reflects her radiance. I have known Tommie for at least ten years. Not only is she a wonderful artist, but an excellent business person. I can always count on her to deliver work on time, and without exception it is flawless.

Tommie makes very thick walled pieces which works very well with her designs. She works in a variety of palettes from pale greens and blues, to bright reds, yellows, and cobalt blue. All of her work is lightly sandblasted and sealed to give a soft matte finish which tends to glow with a comfortable radiance.

Many of her pieces are simple designs such as leaves and vines appliqued on the bowl of a vase or bowl. Then she also makes built up sculptural vases. Her tulip, daffodil, flowers and vines, and Iris vases feature three dimensional flowers fused to a colorful body. All of her work is very solid, and often quite heavy.

I am so please to have her work in my gallery, and to consider her a friend.

You can see Tommie's work at most major glass galleries in the U.S.A., and at Adamm';s Stained Glass & Gallery. Santa Monica, CA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Jackson Etched Limousine Window by Adamm's Stained Glass

    
In 1993 Adamm's Stained Glass in Santa Monica, CA. was commissioned by a company called Electronic Entertainment. The commission was to replace the original divider window in Michael Jackson's Rolls Royce limousine with a new window with Michael's Jacksomn's  Neverland Ranch logo etched into it.

     In order to produce the new glass we needed the original. The original window was slighly curved and was made from laminated toughened glass. The original manufacturer was Triplex Safety Glass of St. Helens, England, now a subsidiary of Pilkington Glass. They initially made glass for MG automobiles.Their logo has a number of symbols that identify not only themselves, but also the date the glass was made. We had a company called Glass Pro in Santa Fe Springs, CA make the glass using the original glass for a pattern and mold.

     The design for the Neverland Ranch logo was given to us.  As a sample we used the original window and etched the logo on it.The process we used was:

                  1.Tape the window with 280 tape from 3M.

                  2. Draw the logo design on the tape.

                  3. Using an exacto knife cut the logo and peal away the area to be etched.

                  4. Using sandblasting equiptment sand blast the etched area.

                  5. Remove the excess tape and clean the window.

     The sample came out perfectly so we repeated the process on the new glass. The window was installed in the limousine with no problems.

    To this day we still have the original window with the etched design.