Sapphireblue.com Presents: Adventures in Dangerous Art (Buying Spree(s))

Yesterday I went to Weisser Glass Studio in Kensington again. It was mainly for one thing---1/2 inch zinc framing, of which Virginia Stained Glass seemed to be out, and which Warner-Crivellaro won't ship unless you order 12 of the six-foot strips. I thought that while I was there I'd also look to see if they might have any of the colored glasses I had picked out for my transoms. I was hoping, in particular, to get lucky with the green glass... I needed sheets at least 12.1 inches wide on one side, and anyplace I could find it online sold only up to twelve inches, give or take an eighth. So close yet so far.

Lo and behold, Weisser had everything I needed. Giant sheets of green glass, plenty of the red and orange too. Also the zinc. Also the lead. (I swear I have good reasons for having designed the transoms to take all different sizes of zinc and lead than any I happen to already have in the basement.)

I said before that Weisser was tiny but jam-packed with a ton of glass. Must reiterate that sentiment now. I was very pleasantly surprised to find everything I needed there---I don't think that shop is fifteen feet wide, but wow. Between their glass selection and the fact that Virginia Stained Glass seems to be constantly out of several sizes of lead and zinc, I'm thinking it might be prudent to start hitting Kensington first instead of Springfield for my supplies from here on out. At the very least I'll be updating my sidebar over there. Momentous and historic, right?

Forthwith, photos of all my glasses, including the clear sparkle glass, which I did buy at Virginia Stained Glass. The two sheets of clear and the one of green are all between two and three feet on all sides; it's sort of scary carrying around sheets of glass that big.

Spectrum Medium Green Rough Rolled (not the Emerald Green after all, but it's only one shade lighter).

Spectrum Medium Green Rough Rolled (not the Emerald Green after all, but it's only one shade lighter).

Spectrum Ruby Red Rough Rolled and Light Orange Cathedral Rough Rolled.

Posted by Michelle on November 13, 2002 01:58 PM

Nah. I've half taken over his workbench, which, no matter how much VERY FRAGILE GLASS may now be lying around, he still has to use sometimes.

If he should happen to break anything else, I shall simply employ punitive measures in the form of public ridicule.

Posted by: Michelle on November 13, 2002 10:30 PM

The stores generally wrap them in heavy brown paper, so you can carry them without shredding your palms. At that point, I tend to lay them flat in my trunk, although my instructor says it's better to put them in the car like the guys with the suction cups do... resting on one edge, oriented the same direction as the long measure of the car. Which, my little two-door Saturn doesn't really offer a lot of possibilities for carrying glass that way. The trunk it is then.

I think that the "full sheet" size for most stained glass manufacturers is no more than two feet by four feet, and even with those, you're going to take it home and cut it up anyway, so if it won't fit in the trunk, just have the glass shop cut it once so it does.

Posted by: Michelle on November 14, 2002 11:19 AM


I'm learning the art (or is it a craft?) of stained glass. At this weblog, I record progress, note useful links, and document flesh wounds. Links The Art League Where I took a lead class and a 3D construction class. Weisser Glass Studio Where I buy supplies, and where I took a foil class. Virginia Stained Glass Co. Where I buy supplies if I happen to be in Springfield and if they happen to have what I want. Warner-Crivellaro Great prices on supplies, a lively and helpful Glass Chat message board, and excellent Technical Tips on stained glass tools and techniques. Glass Galleries Links List A list of Glass Chat users who've uploaded photos of their work. The StoreFinder: Stained Glass Store Front Lots of articles. ArtGlassArt.com Tutorials Even more articles. Particularly recommended: "Anatomy of a design" and "Wood frames." rec.crafts.glass Courtesy of Google Groups. Nancy's Beginner Tips and Tricks Scoring, breaking, soldering, finishing, and more. Splinter Removal Tips Crucial. Syndicate this site Someone out there is using XML for something... right? Movable Type Powered by. Archives By Date November 2006 October 2006 May 2006 June 2004 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 February 2003 January 2003 December 2002 November 2002 October 2002 September 2002 By Project Beaded Unity Candle Crocus Panel Dogwood Windows Green Tiered Lamp Lilypads/Lotus Panel Transoms Xmas Ornament		« Completion Pending Shouting \| Main \| Tracing Transoms » November 13, 2002: Buying Spree(s) Yesterday I went to Weisser Glass Studio in Kensington again. It was mainly for one thing---1/2 inch zinc framing, of which Virginia Stained Glass seemed to be out, and which Warner-Crivellaro won't ship unless you order 12 of the six-foot strips. I thought that while I was there I'd also look to see if they might have any of the colored glasses I had picked out for my transoms. I was hoping, in particular, to get lucky with the green glass... I needed sheets at least 12.1 inches wide on one side, and anyplace I could find it online sold only up to twelve inches, give or take an eighth. So close yet so far. Lo and behold, Weisser had everything I needed. Giant sheets of green glass, plenty of the red and orange too. Also the zinc. Also the lead. (I swear I have good reasons for having designed the transoms to take all different sizes of zinc and lead than any I happen to already have in the basement.) I said before that Weisser was tiny but jam-packed with a ton of glass. Must reiterate that sentiment now. I was very pleasantly surprised to find everything I needed there---I don't think that shop is fifteen feet wide, but wow. Between their glass selection and the fact that Virginia Stained Glass seems to be constantly out of several sizes of lead and zinc, I'm thinking it might be prudent to start hitting Kensington first instead of Springfield for my supplies from here on out. At the very least I'll be updating my sidebar over there. Momentous and historic, right? Forthwith, photos of all my glasses, including the clear sparkle glass, which I did buy at Virginia Stained Glass. The two sheets of clear and the one of green are all between two and three feet on all sides; it's sort of scary carrying around sheets of glass that big. Posted by Michelle on November 13, 2002 01:58 PM Comments So, is a certain individual (Don) banned from your part of the basement? :) Posted by: Liz on November 13, 2002 04:44 PM Nah. I've half taken over his workbench, which, no matter how much VERY FRAGILE GLASS may now be lying around, he still has to use sometimes. If he should happen to break anything else, I shall simply employ punitive measures in the form of public ridicule. Posted by: Michelle on November 13, 2002 10:30 PM How does one transport large sheets of glass short of those suction cup contraptions mounted on the side of vans that install store windows? Posted by: Tara on November 14, 2002 10:18 AM The stores generally wrap them in heavy brown paper, so you can carry them without shredding your palms. At that point, I tend to lay them flat in my trunk, although my instructor says it's better to put them in the car like the guys with the suction cups do... resting on one edge, oriented the same direction as the long measure of the car. Which, my little two-door Saturn doesn't really offer a lot of possibilities for carrying glass that way. The trunk it is then. I think that the "full sheet" size for most stained glass manufacturers is no more than two feet by four feet, and even with those, you're going to take it home and cut it up anyway, so if it won't fit in the trunk, just have the glass shop cut it once so it does. Posted by: Michelle on November 14, 2002 11:19 AM Comments are closed. Contact me via the email address at the bottom of the blog pages.
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