Glass PaintingI thought I'd give it a whirl this weekend. SaurKid and I took us wherever the winds led us (which is why I was silent all weekend) and I ended up with this goblet and a set of iridescent paints. (The paints dry within 10 days to be dishwasher safe. The painting is on the outside of the glass.)
I don't like the way the project ended up. I wouldn't recommend glass painting to anyone, because if you are a perfectionist (or want something that even looks semi-professional) these paints are annoying. They don't give an even coverage. Look at that picture of the goblet in front of the wood panelling. It really shows how spotty the paint job is, even after four careful applications!
Now, that may not matter to some people, but to me the results look half-arsed, even though I devoted a great deal of time to this (as I watched SaurKid play "Destroy All Humans 2" on his XBox). So, glass painting is now officially off my list of Fun Things to Do.
(P.S. The top picture shows the final product. I decided to outline it all in a pewter type of liner and I think it definately looks superior. Although I was hoping for the wispy look, it just didn't work.)
I do recommend "Destroy All Humans 2", though. It's wonderful for exorcising some of the angst after your glass painting project continues to frustrate you. Of special note: The alien anal probe. Although you don't really see it in action, the concept is enough. Overall, the game has a "thumbs up" from both of us.
Rock Hound
I'm a rock hound. Lately I've found a dealer that can supply me with my heart's desire at a very reasonable price. I truthfully must admit that I need to start a rock garden if this keeps up. This isn't a great pic of the latest crystal clusters that I've purchased, but I assure you that they're stellar and they're each at least the size of two fists put together.
I also bought this chunk of petrified wood from the same guy last week. Now this is the size of a basketball:
(Come to think of it, it looks a little like a chunk of meat, doesn't it? Ewww! It doesn't look like that "in person", however... )
20 comments:
Is that paint on the outside of the goblet? Is it dishwasher safe? I was once intrigued by stain-glass assembly. Melting the lead, designing the pattern, cutting the glass, all were such fun! Gave it up when the kids came along. The paint on stained glass is easier because you lay it flat and make it as thick or thin as you want.
Miss C, It is dishwasher safe, but must dry for 10 days before it can be washed. It's on the outside. I'll add that to the post, because they're good questions. Thanks!
I tried stained glass for a while, and really enjoyed it. I'm thinking of taking it up again now that SaurKid is a little older.
Susie, ahhh, ever the humanitarian worker. What's next, living out of garbage cans and sleeping in cardboard boxes? I've never tried the airsoft guns. We usually do laser tag. Can you even feel the impact?
Rocks, old wood, and painted glass. At least you have kept busy!
if I tried glass painting I'd probably get so frustrated as to throw the darn things against a wall to shatter them. I've not a steady hand for fine detail painting, especially on non-tree pulp surfaces...
Now all I need is an Xbox.... that game sounds like fun. Though most video games can serve the purpose of helping to vent frustration...
The mate always said he could leave me in a gravel pit with a bucket of water and a hammer and come back three days later and I would never have missed him...LOL.
Wanna come?
Looks can be so deceiving
I was going to ask if the 'wood' or petrified wood was covered in amber.
Pity you are giving up on the painting glass - one thing I hope to get round to one day is glass blowing. Alas if I should just get on with it and do things, just like you and Saurkid do ...
and I can tell you I'm a pretty awesome 'rock' gardner. lol!
PS - Glad my head on with Barbara didn't bias you. But I can be as 'hard-headed' as the next person, if not more. I'm a hard nut to crack, but with a really sweet soft centre or heart, for those who know how to tickle me just right
Hi Saur,
on the other issue
the butterfly effect does not imply that one butterfly flapping its wings literally causes tornadoes elsewhere. As you point out there are many factors in between.
The butterfly effect implies a butterfly flapping its wings can (or may) have a resounding effect elsewhere
For more on Music of the Spheres see: here?
Rock Meat!! MMmmmm
I like the finished product so much better. The outlining really pulled it all together. I would have thrown the thing away in frustration and disgust.
What is on top of the wood?
Nihilistic, it's what's for dinner! ;o)
Quasar, sorry, I didn't know of your spat with Barbara! I hope you guys get it all worked out. Thanks for the link! I'll check it out when I have a little more time (tonight, maybe?) Glass blowing sounds awesome! I'd love to learn to make glass beads, too. Combining the love of jewelry with crafting beautiful glass... hmmm! The perfect match?
Valerie, yes! Seriously, if you do that sort of thing and you have that sort of thing nearby, you may be expecting a houseguest next summer!
Green, this one definately takes a steady hand, and even then the results suck! You should try the game. It rocks!
Lazy, and how! SaurKid got pretty sick of seeing the inside of Michael's Craft Store.
Heather, funny you should ask, nothing's on top of the wood but it does kinda look that way. It's just been polished down, I guess, through years of exposure. It hasn't been treated. The guy who sold it to me had it in his yard for years! You're right, the outlining really made a diff!
Neat. You're a creative type. I've got lots of admiration for folks who work with their hands. There's a mineralogoy exhibit at my local museum of natural history that I'm sure you would love at least as much as I do. Something to think about if you ever spend time in LA.
Probably is you hadn't done the real glass job first, you might have been happier. But I know your frustration, having tried glass paints: the damn colours would not lay flat--and as a watercolourist who likes uniformity! Hell. And then there was the headache inducing smell. I quite liked ceramic paints, though, until my enthusiasm stretched to a class activity and I had to bake all the damn plates in a hot oven on a hot day. Sometimes art requires too much devotion!
Glass painting seems cool, and I LOVE rocks and minerals. It was one of my first loves when I was around 4 years old. It was after trains and shells. But still, 3rd is pretty good. I still have a soft place in my heart for minerals and gems and rocks.
Oh petrified wood is often cut and polished to make it look better.
I love the goblets, but I totally understand what you are saying. I was super anal about smooth coverage the first time I painted pottery - but now it doesnt bother me. Admittedly, that's a little different ... so nevermind ...
LOL, it's funny, I looked at the petrified wood pic before I read about it and thought "What IS that, a ROAST?"
I have a feeling we'd do a lot of laughing if we ever got together ;)
I know what you mean about glass painting ... very frustrating. But the end result is beautiful, though. Hope you have many happy drinks from it !!
Love your rock collection ... the big "chunk of meat" rock is a stunner. I love rocks, and crystals and stuff ... soooo beautiful.
HOpe you have a great week.
Take care, Meow
Saur, I've painted pottery and it turns out the same way. you have to apply and apply and then re-apply your paint and even then it is still going to look spotty. However, if you are using Ceramic instead of glass, then you can use the spot problem in your favor by developing a pattern or scene that it will work with and if you try not to get too complicated then it can come out really nice.
Dang girl....where's the EBay to bid on those fine quality glasses? ;) They look good.
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