Sue Botelho

Antique Chinese Snuff Bottles – Heavy Stones That Really Float!

When collecting Chinese antique snuff bottles, one can choose to collect glass, porcelain, bottles made from organic materials (such as amber or coral), or perhaps the inside painted bottles, but there is sure to be a time when one will decide to collect, or at least add some hardstone bottles.

Hardstone bottles can be found in a variety of materials such as jade, quartz, chalcedony, hair crystal, tourmaline and many more. There are some wonderful shapes and colours to be found and even some stone bottles have images, or pictures, formed from the natural inclusions found in the rock.

When studying auction catalogues one will now and then come across, within the description of antique stone bottles, the comment ‘well hollowed’ just as when discussing bottles with a dealer this term will also be used. When this comment is missed beware, as all good antique stone bottles should be ‘well hollowed’ and if they are not then suspect they are fakes!

Antique Chinese snuff bottles were made to be used and had to be well hollowed, to hold sufficient snuff, this raises the question how well hollowed is ‘well hollowed’? Most good antique bottles are considered well hollowed if the bottle will hold a good portion of snuff and does not feel too heavy. Remember, as a guide, they were often worn in the sleeve. But the most valuable finest stone snuff bottles are exceptionally hollowed out, so much so, that they often look like they have been blown (like glass). These are referred to as ‘eggshell thin’ or ‘floaters’ because although they were carved out of a rock they are so well hollowed, that they will float in water!

These stone bottles are examples of amazing skill, because all the hollowing out has been performed through a very small hole in the neck of the bottle. Even the areas we refer to as the shoulders of the bottle (these are most difficult areas to hollow out), have to be very thin, for the bottle to trap enough air to make it float.

There are some wonderful jade bottles that float, yet jade is one of the hardest stone to carve, not only is it an exceptionally hard material but it also has certain weaker points where it can easily fracture.

Having shown a couple of bottles (one well hollowed the other not) to lapidary workers, equipped with all the most modern cutting and drilling tools, to find out if they could change the poorly hollowed out bottle, into a well hollowed one and what it would cost. Not one would take on the task and the general view was, that even if they tried, the cost would be considerable, due to the time it would take them, but in addition no one would accept the risk involved, of possibly ruining the bottle in the process!

The explanation of how these antique stone bottles were originally carved and so well hollowed out, were all down to years of experience and the slow labour of love, where the carver did everything by hand without any thought about how much time it took.

About the Author

John N. Cohen A past director of Jacey Cinemas Ltd. Later the proprietor of a design & photographic studio, now a director of Jacey Homes Ltd., a property development company. Interests and Hobbies: A top international award winning photographer who also became a well known Asian antiques collector and an enthusiast of Jensen British classic cars. Other interests are skiing and Salsa dancing.

For John’s other interests please have a look at: - http://www.jncohen.net

The author has been a very keen collector for many years helping to create ‘The Cohen collection’.

See photographs by using the following link: -
http://www.jncohen.net/antiques/articles.htm

For more information about antique Chinese snuff bottles please use the following link: -
http://www.jncohen.net/Chinese_Snuff_bottles/index.htm

DPSS laser 2W 532nm class IV Cut a Beer Bottle

Creating Stained Glass Panels

Used in cathedrals to show glorious scenes of saints, and for animals and plants in other venues stained glass panels are beautiful works of art. Though complex looking, these stained glass windows are actually fairly simple, and with a little effort anyone can recreate the art.

The biggest concern when creating stained glass panels is of course safety. The art you are creating includes exposed glass edges, a hot soldering iron, chemicals, and power tools. If you keep safety in mind and maintain a well-organized workspace your hobby will be perfectly safe. As with most crafts you will need to acquire some tools and materials before you begin. You will need glass cutters to score the glass for breaking. As with most tools the higher quality cutter will cost more to purchase, but can make the difference between success and accidental breakage. Another glass specific tool you will need is a pair of combination breaker-grozer pliers. A glass grinder will be needed for making adjustments to glass edges after breaking. Mastering this tool can help your pieces fit together more precise, increasing your appearance quality. More material and tools will be introduced to you as we begin to construct a stained glass panel.

To get started grab the sheet of glass you will be working on with one hand holding the top edge and the other holding the bottom with the sheet in a vertical position. Never carry a sheet of glass in the horizontal position to avoid cracks and breakage! To place the glass on your workbench while vertical place the center of the sheet against the bench edge. Then roll the glass onto the table and slide completely onto the bench surface.

For your first project choose a novice pattern with a simple design and relatively short lines to score. You will need two copies of your pattern so trace the original pattern onto a sheet of standard paper and heavy pattern paper with a sheet of carbon. Assign numbers to each piece as a way of keeping track of your pieces as you create and build the project. Then use special glass pattern shears to cut your pattern out of the heavy paper.

Select one piece of your pattern and trace the shape onto your glass using a glass-marking pen. Do not forget to mark on the glass the number assigned to that piece of the pattern. Then you need to score the lines you traced onto the glass. Apply firm constant pressure with your glass-cutting tool and make one smooth cut along your line. After you score the line you will need to break the score. Some crafters opt to do this step by hand, while others use breaker-grozer pliers for the job. Either way apply a quick even pressure while doing the break to keep it as clean as possible. Continue to mark, score, and break until all the pieces of your project are created.

Starting in one corner of your project, next compare the glass piece you cut out with that piece in the uncut pattern. Mark any glass that crosses over the pattern lines and then use a grinder to remove the excess glass. Continue to do this to each piece until all pieces are the same as the pattern then place them within the assembly jig for the project.

For the foil wrapping step you need to ensure your hands and the glass are clean to ensure the tapes sticks correctly. Apply the foil wrap tape onto the glass edge with exactly the length of overhang on each side and work your way around the glass edge completely. Overlap the tape on the end about ¼” then crimp the foil over the glass edges. Complete this step by burnishing the foil smooth and then place the glass piece back into the jig.

The final step of your stained glass panel project will be to solder all joints together. Slowly move the hot soldering iron over all the seams coating the foil in solder. Once the initial side is complete roll the project over and solder the seams from the other side. Once you have all the seams covered in solder you should clean your project with a soft rag and glass cleaner. After cleaning the stained glass panel is ready to be proudly displayed for all to enjoy. When others comment on the beauty of the panel you can smile and say you did it all yourself!

Creating stained glass panels is a very fun and rewarding hobby, which can also become a little extra income if you are so inclined. There is so much to learn with stained glass, please take the time to seek out more learning resources than just a small article. To learn techniques and skills to improve your skill look into local classes and workshops. Also speak with artisans in your area, most are more than willing to pass on pointers to a fellow glass worker.

About the Author

All-Things-Tiffany carries a complete line of stained glass panels as well as a variety of Tiffany lighting including Tiffany floor lamps.

A basic solar panel test.

Help with handmade glass engraving for the Christmas gift - engraved glass jewelry box?

I'm going to buy a jewelry box for men a gift, and I want to customize the glass top. I know that the paintings are burning, but I wonder if it's possible that I use because I do not know whether I can to remove the window box (and therefore will not be able to use tap water to clean the paint). I guess not a good idea to clean. Is this something I can do alone? Should I take care professionals from somewhere?

I would seek help from your local craft store. Must be able to show how and what to use. Make sure you do not want to remove this hard to burn. I would use blue painters tape.

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Choosing Glass awards

With the onset of the summer, its reward and recognition time for most corporates. This means that it's that time of the year again when decisions are to be made and trophies are to be presented. It's a memorable time for the employees, especially, for the awardees. They cherish these moments and preserve their awards for the remaining duration of their career.

It is moments like these that work as the driving force and fuel their career on to the right path. Why not make it a little more memorable?

According to an online poll conducted in a leading social networking site, 85% of the employees around the country, feel that the quality of awards and trophies presented must improve. 40% feel that the trophies are too mundane. Another 33% feel that the personalized touch is missing.

While this might just be another poll in the huge World Wide Web, it exposes the lack of creativity in the thinking of the corporates.

Think Smart, Think Glass

It's time to move ahead from those dull and lackluster metal awards that most companies choose. Why should one opt for those in the first place when there are much more attractive and cheaper alternatives? Yes, I am talking about Glass awards.

Glass awards are a notch above the rest both in terms of quality as well as aesthetic appeal. A quick search on a leading search engine reveals that the number of companies offering quality glass, acrylic and crystal awards are much higher than those selling metal and plastic awards.

Types of Glass awards

There are a multitude of choices when it comes to glass awards. There is jade glass, star fire glass, clean acrylic, colored acrylic and much more. You can get them hand polished and beveled to replicate the facets of a diamond. These awards are ideal when metal awards or plaques are insufficient.

For more info visit : Glass Awards

How to Make Stained Glass Art : Learn Where to Establish Your Cut for Stained-Glass Projects

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What glue should I use to make a mosaic of colored glass lit?

I have a signal of "enlightened" to hang bar area in our house. I leave out peices of colored glass mosaic. What should I use to attach the pieces of colored glass piece Backer, glass and what needs to be use as grout. "grout not use the real, because I think it will be heavy. Any ideas?

For the salsa, you can use liquid lead. It comes in a plastic bottle and is made by the company Plaid. Most major craft stores carry it. As for what to use glue, This site will tell you what you need for your application. Http: / / www.thistothat.com / index.shtml

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Where can I find central ideas for my wedding?

I'm getting married in 9 months and saw a centerpiece in a glass vase attends an event a few months ago and loved it. The vessels were thin and high, on both sides curved and straight in the other two sides. They are really hard to explain, but I love to be able to find for my wedding, but I have no idea what they're called! So I guess if someone knows what I'm talking about, although it is a vague description, that would be amazing!

i think I know what you mean, but I couldnt manage to find anywhere. Call the location and see if they can say is if you're lucky enough to have tons of options http://www.save-on-crafts.com/ vases.html

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Gerbera Stix and Stems Comes with a Dozen Beautiful Orange Mini Gerbera Daisies with an 18' T X 4 Square Glass Vase and River Rocks. Comes with It's Own Measuring Stick to Cut Each Gerbera a Perfect Length for the Vase. $44.00 Beautiful contemporary 15" tall glass vase comes with a dozen orange mini gerbera dasies and river rocks. Comes with it's own measuring stick so the recipient cuts the flowers to the exact length of the vase. Comes complete with instructions....

Glass Eiffel Tower Wedding Centerpiece Vases 12in Plum (Set of 12) $40.00 Elegant glass eiffel tower vases can create a eye-catching centerpieces when filled with flowers, greeneries and more! You get 12 tower vases all at 12in tall. This item is hand-crafted glass. Thus, there may be slight variations from one to another. Although rare, some may have little chips in the glass which is hardly noticeable. This is the nature of hand made glass craft. Price per set of 12. ...

Glass Eiffel Tower Wedding Centerpiece Vases 16in Plum (Set of 12) $48.00 Elegant glass eiffel tower vases can create a eye-catching centerpieces when filled with flowers, greeneries and more! You get 12 tower vases all at 16in tall. This item is hand-crafted glass. Thus, there may be slight variations from one to another. Although rare, some may have little chips in the glass which is hardly noticeable. This is the nature of hand made glass craft. Price per set of 12. ...