Monday, May 15, 2023

Repairing a Swarovski crystal locomotive - special gluing tricks!

The Swarovski crystal train set was designed by Gabriele Stamey and introduced in 1988 as part of the “when we were young” theme. The locomotive and individual wagons are now very collectible but have often suffered minor damage – mainly due to the failure of the adhesive,   

Wheels can easily be reattached using UV-activated glue and the special trick with modeling clay explain in this video.  For full detail see https://www.artistry-in-glass.com/step-by-step-guide-repairing-a-swarovski-crystal-train-set/


Saturday, May 13, 2023

Sunday, February 12, 2023

The fascinating history of Swarovski crystal figurines

Swarovski Crystal Figurines have become a massive industry, generating billions of dollars since they were first introduced in 1976. The story behind their invention is fascinating. Initially, Swarovski primarily used their faceted crystals for jewelry and chandelier parts. But a stroke of marketing genius led to the creation of the famous crystal mouse, which was given to competitors at the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympics. This was so well-received that Swarovski started manufacturing a range of animal figurines using crystal chandelier parts. These evolved with the addition of  custom-molded glass and decorative metal to form the basis of their enormous success. Over time, Swarovski has relentlessly developed new designs to appeal to a wide range of interests, including animals, flowers, and licensed characters from popular franchises. Creative product promotions, such as the crystal dress worn by Marilyn Monroe and the use of crystal displays at the Oscars, have also helped to boost the brand's appeal. The establishment of the Swarovski Crystal Society has generated customer loyalty and benefits, such as exclusive access to the annual Christmas ornament.   Artistry in Glass is your Southern Arizona expert for Swarovski crystal repair.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

angel silvering test

We test the mini-silvering kit from Angel gilding and find the result much better than spray paint - but the process is tricky and attention to detail is important. We recommend the product for small and special-shaped or engraved mirror but not for large panes of glass. See https://www.artistry-in-glass.com/should-i-re-silver-my-antique-mirror-pros-cons/

Friday, July 9, 2021

Artistry in Glass - What we do (everything artistic in glass)!


Artistry in Glass has provided a complete range of art glass services in Tucson since 1986, from crystal engraving for awards, to stained & etched glass windows, cabinet glass inserts, glass tabletops, glass display cases, beveled mirrors, crystal and china repair, and much much more. See https://www.artistry-in-glass.com/ for details and subscribe to this channel for more art glass videos.


Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Silver Spray Paint Tests

Artistry in Glass tests 8 silver spray paints for mirror quality and finds that the best is "Mirror Effect" from Rust-Oleum. Follow the tips in this video to see if your mirror is worth resilvering. For more details about mirror repair, follow this link:https://www.artistry-in-glass.com/should-i-re-silver-my-antique-mirror-pros-cons/

Sunday, April 18, 2021

11 Ways we saved money by going green

https://youtu.be/jfQgOSK4U9A

We believe that every individual and every company can play a part in fighting climate change by reducing emissions. 

To that end, we have upgraded our building, our product line, and our production methods to reduce energy consumption and Co2 emissions. Specifically, we have installed an energy-efficient SEER 23 mini-split HVAC system and double-paned insulated glass windows and foam-core steel doors. We furred out and insulated the exterior walls and ceiling spaces, and we installed a 6-kilowatt solar panel system on the roof that drives the AC in the torrid Tucson summer. We changed from incandescent & fluorescent to LED interior lighting, and we reuse sheet glass whenever possible for shelving and tabletops. We have developed a unique line of green glass awards manufactured by hand from recycled plate glass. All our packing and shipping materials are now eco-friendly - with no harmful plastic bubble wrap and peanuts. Finally, our core business of restoration of glass and porcelain and antiques preserves valuable objects rather than sending them to the dump - re-using items rather than purchasing new ones is the ultimate ideal of conservation the hallmark of the true conservative. 

Contact Artistry-in-glass.com for more information.

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Artistry in Glass goes Green

We believe that every individual and every company can play a part in fighting climate change by reducing emissions. 

To that end, we have upgraded our building, our product line, and our production methods to reduce energy consumption and Co2 emissions. Specifically, we have installed an energy-efficient SEER 23 mini-split HVAC system and triple-paned insulated glass windows. We furred out and insulated the exterior walls and ceiling spaces, and we installed a 6-kilowatt solar panel system on the roof that drives the AC in the torrid Tucson summer. We changed from incandescent & fluorescent to LED interior lighting, and we reuse sheet glass whenever possible for shelving and tabletops. We have developed a unique line of green glass awards manufactured by hand from recycled plate glass. All our packing and shipping materials are now eco-friendly - with no harmful plastic bubble wrap and peanuts. Finally, our core business of restoration of glass and porcelain and antiques preserves valuable objects rather than sending them to the dump - re-using items rather than purchasing new ones is the ultimate ideal of conservation the hallmark of the true conservative. 

Contact Artistry-in-glass.com for more information.


Saturday, April 3, 2021

Tiffany-style lampshade repairs by Artistry in Glass

Artistry in Glass has been restoring Tiffany-style, stained-glass lampshades since 1986.  Tucson customers - bring your damaged lampshades to our Fort Lowell workshop for a free repair estimate.  All repairs are done on the premises and guaranteed.

Monday, March 29, 2021

Hang a wall mirror with mastic

Large frameless mirrors are a feature of home gyms, dance studios, and residential bathrooms and this video will show you all you need to know about their purchase and safe installation - following 4 simple steps: 

1) measure the wall and order the mirrors.  2) Prepare the wall for the application of mastic.  3) Install the mechanical fastenings j-channel and clips. 4) Apply the mastic and attach the mirror to the wall. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Skylight repair at the Blenman Inn, Tucson AZ


This beautiful stained glass skylight is one of two which have been proudly embellishing the ceiling of the Blenman Inn - illuminating the foyer of this famous downtown tucson mansion for more than 140 years - The leaded glass dates from the 1870s and weighs over 200lbs.  It was too fragile, heavy and difficult to access so an expert repair was done “on-site” by the craftsman at Artistry in Glass.

Monday, November 2, 2020

How to repair a broken coffee mug - a complete guide

Do you have a coffee mug that has great emotional significance or one that brings back memories of a wonderful vacation? Breaking a favorite coffee mug can be a traumatic event but don't worry - at Artistry in Glass we can restore your mug or we can tell you how to fix it. Call 520-320-0104 for helpful information.

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Cracked Glass Tabletop



Cracked or crackle glass, also known as shattered glass, is made from three pieces of tempered (heat-strengthened) glass laminated together. The middle piece is shattered into thousands of popcorn-like pieces to create a sparkling, crystal-like effect. Despite its appearance, it is perfectly safe and durable because the shattered piece is sandwiched between two high strength pieces of glass.

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Jeweled cornucopia of abstract contemporary stained glass



Watch how Artistry in Glass tackles the tricky commission of installing contemporary abstract stained glass into a remodeled Tucson fireplace.  Innovative LED lighting brings this spectacular jeweled work of art to glorious life. A cornucopia of tumbled gemstones under a rainbow of glass. https://www.artistry-in-glass.com/guide-for-designing-abstract-stained-glass/

Sunday, September 13, 2020

Guide to the design af abstract stained glass windows



Abstract stained glass uses shapes, colors, and lines to create designs that depart from a realistic depiction of the world. Follow this link for more details: https://bit.ly/3miuoVM
Designs may be partially figurative or totally abstract: they frequently invoke a mood or stand for virtues like optimism or spirituality: they appeal to the sophisticated customer and, if designed expertly will, by avoiding the cliché, retain their exciting novelty. Contact Artistry in Glass to design your masterpiece!

Monday, August 24, 2020

Phi Beta Kappa awards feature geniuses from the sciences and the arts





Artistry in Glass creates etched glasses to celebrate Nobel Prize winners and other notable achievers in the fields of science and the arts.  See how many you can identify. Contact us if you would like to see your face immortalized in crystal.

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Abstract stained glass sidelite simulates spiral galaxy





Our latest stained glass creation replaces boring frosted glass in a Fairfields home in the Tucson Foothill. Our customers are retired physicists - interested in cosmology and our design was able to introduce an astronomical theme by the skilful selection of art glass. Our mottles bullseye-style art glass is suggestive of the famous cosmic microwave background and, by great good fortune, a selection of the panel resembles a spiral galaxy with a black (blue) hole at the center