Evelyn Paints Another Pane with Gallery Glass

You will remember Evelyn Fischer--she loves to do Gallery Glass Painting on old window frames? Well, the girl has been busy again. This is a project that she just finished and she took the time to document, photograph and write it up so that you can get a good idea of the process if you should be so lucky as to find a discarded window by the side of the road, or at a garage sale or in your own garage--here's what Evelyn did to make it a showcase project! The photo on the left is the panel placed in a window so that you can see the vibrant details. The photo on the left is the frame hung on a wall, which is where normally displays her finished art. Be sure to check out Evelyn's other projects in our Artists' Gallery.



"First thing you want to do is go out hunting for that perfect old beat up window.  I find mine at garage sales , swap meets, house remodels  and sometimes you can find them on the side of the road with free signs on them.  Once you find that perfect window  you go to the hardware store find a sanding block ( I used # 60 or you could just use sandpaper  - although I found the block a lot easier to handle.  Paints of your choice and caulking if needed. Prepping the window is relatively easy all you do is sand the window so it will accept the base coat well.  Then clean the window glass and caulk if needed.  If the window is in good condition meaning that the caulking in sound and not breaking away you will be ready to paint. On my window I had to re-caulk and for that I used Dap Kwik Seal Plus, kitchen and bath adhesive caulk in a squeeze tube.   I let it dry for 24 hours .  Now you are ready to paint the window in whatever method best suits you.  I have painted my window with Martha Stewart  paints which I purchased at Home Depot.

First step:   I painted the base coat. I chose the tintable tester size Base 2 Interior Latex Eggshell ( MSL 2012 ) tinted to the color of (Pencil MSL 082) for the base color let it dry overnight.  Second step:   I applied the crackle medium per manufacturer's directions.   I am using Sherman and Williams - Faux Impressions Crackle.   I applied it with a roller to make sure I had even coverage .   The manufacturer's  directions  states to let dry at least 1 hour before applying the top coat but I am waiting at least 2 hours.

Third step:  I  applied the topcoat - tester size Base 3 Interior Latex Eggshell ( MSL 2013 ) tinted to the color of (Barn MSL026)-  for the crackled topcoat  being  careful not to go back over the already painted area .  If you try to go back over what you have already painted it will pull off the crackled painted.  I let the crackle dry for 24 hours before continuing on.

Fourth step:  I applied the pattern to the window and applied the liquid leading.  Again I let the liquid leading dry for 24 hours.

Fifth step:  I applied the coloring working from the inside of the pattern to the outside pattern.  I did this so I would not touch what I had already filled with the paint.  Again let dry for 24 hours.

Sixth step:  Brush on Gallery Glass Protective Sealer. 

Materials you will need. Sanding Block #60 grit or sandpaper #60 grit, Caulking  if needed, Latex interior paint ( for this project I am using a crackle technique) So I need a base coat, crackle medium, and a top coat. Pattern to fit the window, Liquid leading and Redi-leading, Gallery Glass paints."

Welcome Suzette Bos to the Gallery Glass Artists' Circle

"I accidentally stumbled across Gallery Glass about 10 years ago in a craft store.  I was looking for a stencil pattern and found a collection of products which included some pattern books.  There was a beautiful pattern for a paladian window  design.  Although the window I had was square and much larger, my mind immediately began calculating how to duplicate the pattern and make it work.  This is the resulting window.  It was about 45 inches square and was above my master bathroom jetted tub.  Although this was on the third floor of our home, nobody wants a window that large with a completely unobstructed view above their bathtub!!!  GG was the perfect answer…light, bright, beautiful and PRIVATE!"

"We sold that house a few years ago and bought a ‘fixer-upper’ in a different suburb of St. Louis.  We’ve been slowly plowing thru the immediate ‘must do’ projects and finally I saw an opening for a ‘want to do’.  Our kitchen has a breakfast nook with a bay door and two windows.  It is very bright, lots of unobstructed light comes through but the door is metal (no curtains).  For awhile we had sheers on a magnetic rod (YAWN!!!) and then, I remembered GG.  The house has simple basic lines, lots of maple wood and we’ve decorated with earth tones, so I needed something with clean lines and neutral tones that we’d want to look at A LOT!  You spend so much time in your kitchen.  My husband and I talked about it and he came up with the idea of how clean Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs were." 

"When we searched online, we found a number of window designs by the artist.  I printed many of them and studied each for the elements we found interesting.  I sketched out the basic center door design and got to work.  With my ruler and a sharpie, I drew my design right onto the glass.  I used other items from my kitchen as well – the red circle began as one of our dinner plates, etc… Once that was done, I used Redi-Lead to follow the sharpie lines and sealed the joints with liquid lead.  That was about it for day one.  On the second day I began the painting.  I started with the darkest colors, spacing them out and taking stock after every area was filled.  I needed some of the colors to dry to really get a feel for continuing, so the coloring process took about a week.  Once the door was complete I knew where I wanted to go with the windows.  In order to keep the entire project from becoming too busy (there’s a lot going on here), I made the two side windows mirror images of each other. I began by carrying through the ‘ribbon’ idea that began at the bottom of the door and moves up and to the right.  It picks up in the right side window and arcs up, touches in at the top and moves across to the left window.  Ultimately this ribbon ties all three panes together creating a movement throughout the trio and joining the design.  Mirroring the side windows made it quick work to lead them.  I did each element on the right and then on the left, insuring that I utilized the same measurements and shapes.  Painting them followed the same process.  Before I knew it, the project was completed.  About 30 hours, design to finish."

"After completing this, I’m eager to get started on the other projects I’ve thought of – we have three other metal exterior doors that have window insets, after all.  I wouldn’t want them to feel slighted….Plus my husband has dreams of his family crest, in Gallery Glass, in all its glory somewhere in the house.  I wouldn’t want to disappoint him.   What a wonderful product and a great accent to my home!  I’m so glad I discovered it."

(Carol) I guess some of you have figured that Suzette probably isn't a typical crafter. Most would start with a small project and "work up". Suzette is an educated professional with a high degree of organizational ability (obviously), but even though it helps--it's not an essential element being able to accomplish a similar project in your home.  But you won't EVER do it, if you don't start. I think that it says a lot that her very first project was a 45" square window over the tub. It proves that Gallery Glass really is beginner FRIENDLY. However, Suzette includes this caption at the bottom of her emails. I think it probably gives you an idea of WHY she is so successful in accomplising her goals.  "Diamonds are only chunks of coal, that stuck to their jobs" --Minnie Richard Smith 

On a side note, I think I know the paladian window that may have inspired Suzette's bathroom project. I remember it well because it was a window in my master bedroom at another residence. The design elements are somewhat similar. The truth is, I was inspired by the design on the door of the house in the wooden screen that I had in the corner. You can see it in the far right side of the picture. I thought it tied the room together in a unique way.

Gallery Glass Entertains a new group of Beginners!

There's nothing more fun for me-- than introducing my favorite hobby to a new group of "want-to-be" glass crafters. It is rare that I get that opportunity, but this weekend a dozen church ladies came down to Norcross from Loganville, GA to visit Plaid and enjoy an introduction to Gallery Glass techniques in our corporate Training Room. This isn't something that we do on a regular basis, but permission was granted and I started planning the holiday theme several months ago. Each participant was allowed to choose 3 round designs from a set of 6 possible projects and they didn't find out much more information about the event--until they arrived.

I had arranged the room in my favorite classroom set up, so that I can freely walk down the middle of the tables and teach to both sides. That way, all the girls can see what others are learning while they're working. I had also brought up a whole room full of my large 24"x36" panels on various subjects to serve as inspiration. I leaded all 45 projects in advance and the stage was set for the arrival of the students.

I had pre-sorted all the colors that each person would need to do their 3 selected designs into red Plaid Bags along with tools and accessories. I had also put the 3 leaded projects into individual bags with all the instructional material. I think that it was "beginning to look a lot like Christmas" by the time they arrived.

It took a while to explain the technique and most of the girls started with the Cornucopia. It was the design with  the most shading and I wanted them to learn the maximum amount on the first project. The wonderful thing about Gallery Glass is that 90% of the method is basically 2 easy steps--Outline and Paint! Once you can do that, the other 10% of the technique has to do with eliminating air bubbles and we learned a number of "tricks" to minimize those pesky little flaws!

The girls began by sorting through their bag of colors for the specific ones on their color list. And then there was the bottle "opening" process (removing the shrink wrap) which was accomplished with a Gallery Glass Cutting Tool. The next step featured a little explanation on the dry erase board--making sure that everyone knew that it was recommended procedure to outline the space they were painting--then fill in the center up to the level of the leading. And that it was necessary to get the paint up ON the Leading, rather than trying meticulously to avoid touching it.

Next we began the combing and tapping lesson. This is not rocket science, but it took a little bit of experimental wielding of the nutpick to get the action just right. The object of the game is to slightly "thin" the layer of paint enough so that the bubbles rise to the top and POP! If they don't, then the "acorn" end of the nutpick is recommended for "whopping" the bottom of the styrene project directly UNDER the bubble so that the shock waves will eliminate the bubble. It's not the most restful sound to an outsider, but a glass crafter hardly notices it, we are so intent on perfecting our technique and producing a flawless finish.

The day went by so quickly we didn't have time to do the other 2 projects, but hopefully the girls got back to painting once they got it all home and could spread it out in their craft area--which may be their dining room table--for now. It takes a while before you decide to dedicate a whole room in your house --just to glass painting--like I did. The ladies were sweet and wonderful and I enjoyed their enthusiasm and answering all their questions. Many were planning more extensive projects before they even got out of the building.  

We will be showing more of the other designs that they painted as we get into Christmas designs in a few weeks. Hopefully, we will also be loading photos of some of their future projects into our Artists' Corner. Aren't Beginners wonderful. They have the whole amazing glass painting experience-- still to discover! I envy them in a way, don't you? We already know how much fun they're going to have in their crafty future.

Meet Tim Beauregard, wood worker and now Gallery Glass painter

And just in case you think Gallery Glass is only for the female gender, here's a new male artist that will knock your socks off.
I received this email and picture from Tim Beauregard a couple of weeks ago, and have been very interested in his story. He says that he is a beginner --can you believe it? These doors (in progress)-- for a cabinet that he's building--look like he's a seasoned professional. Some beginners start right out of the box--as designers--and Tim is a perfect example. Here's his story.


"This is my first project with painted glass.  I am more of a woodworker trying to incorporate uniqueness into my projects. It is a little funky as it represents a variety of things in my life... interests, accomplishments, and significant dates.  The two doors are for an entertainment cabinet.  I added lighting to the cabinet interior.  When the doors are closed I do NOT want to see into the cabinet, so all the remaining clear sections of glass need something. I don't want to just fill in with some kind of swirly clear effect.  Rather I would like to have some form of simple and tasteful background that everything "sits on."  In the picture, the doors are sitting on a white tiled table."

I relayed some information on backgrounds--suggesting various techniques with the Clear, Frost and Etching Medium, but the one he most liked was the idea of adding an opaque color - Cameo Ivory. 

He had a little help, however, being introduced to Gallery Glass. He tells the story of the refrigerator cabinet that he built last year for a customer. "This is a painting my sister Cheryl did on a cabinet that I custom built to house a wine chilling refrigerator.  She and I brainstormed ideas (I live in NC and she lives in GA, and we emailed), then I built the door and took it to her on Thanksgiving holiday.  By The beginning of the year she completed it and brought it back.  Then I delivered the finished cabinet in May."

Okay, Tim, we're convinced that you are a bonified Gallery Glass Artist! Please send us an updated picture of that memory door lighted cabinet --as soon as it is finished. Then we'll know if Cameo Ivory was your final choice. Hey, does this project give anyone else out there--ideas? How about a "Family Memory" Entertainment Cabinet?  You could tie everyone's hobbies and interests into one design--it could work. I'm beginning to see a Smith set of doors in my head, right now!

(update) Thanks, everyone for the wonderful welcome to Tim through your comments. He responded by sending the picture of the lighted entertainment center--in place. Here it is, looks like he went with the Cameo Ivory--nice job, Tim!

Meet Evelyn Fischer - Gallery Glass Doors are her passion!

 

Evelyn says, "I live in Washington and I do these projects in the winter during the rainy season which is upon us now." 

"I just finished my latest Gallery Glass project. Actually they are doors from an old office filing cabinet. I found them in my dad's shed. I had fun making them and searching for a pattern on the Internet. I found the pattern, but it was only a small graph. I took it up to our local "wrap and ship" store where they had an enlarging machine that enlarged it to fit my windows. I guessed at the colors to use.

"I have about 15 window frames that I will be doing this winter. I only do them when I can't get outside to work in the yard. I have to stay busy or go stir crazy. Can you tell that I'm retired?"



(I asked her to take a picture of these lovely doors in a window, although she displays them in her kitchen--against a wall. I thought that you would be able to see them better with light behind them.)

"I have been a crafter for a long time. When I was searching my fathers back storage shed I came across these Bookcases doors. I instantly thought that they would make a real cool stained glass set of doors that would look good in my house. So I cleaned them up and went to your your website to find a pattern that might fit this odd sized set of doors. I couldn't find anything that I thought would work so I went looking for free stained glass patterns that could be printed. I finally found a site that had what I was looking for. I printed them out and they were very small.  I wanted them enlarged to 9"wide by 29" long. He took out his little wheel and dialed in some numbers came out with the calculation, entered the numbers into the machine and and voila!! It printed out to the exact size I needed. The next step was to tape the pattern to the back of the doors. After that --is was all fun, fun, fun."

"I applied the Liquid Leading and the Redi-Lead. I let the leading dry for 24 hours. Then I started to get worried that the colors would not be what I wanted, because it is hard to tell what the colors are going to be until they dry-- and I didn't have a color chart. I got out my favorite book on this topic which is the one and only Windows, Glass Decor and More!  by Jan Cumber with designs inspired by Donna Dewberry;, and reviewed some of the colors I had used on my Rooster, which is in the book. I then squeezed the colors out on a leading blank land et them dry --to make sure the colors would be what I wanted."

"After picking out the colors I would be using, I filled in the pattern. and I used the Gallery Glass Tool get the texture the way I wanted it. I used the metal combing tool and a toothpick to swirl and pounce up and down in the color to get a bumpy look. I really liked the results I ended up with and the colors turned out better than I thought they would."

"I also wanted to add how much I enjoyed working with the Gallery Glass paints and my grandchildren love making the window clings so do I."

Eveyln, thank you so much for sharing your craft journey with us. It turned out so well. I love the way she used the doors in her kitchen. There are so many ways to use Gallery Glass in our decor--and hardly any other medium ties together a whole room--like Gallery Glass. Evelyn has a lot of new patterns, so we'll be hearing more from her by the time spring comes!