May 10th, 2013 by Becky
After one fabulous long weekend, we are getting on with some of the commissions in the studio. Digby has doubled in size and entertains customers between naps. The purchase of out new premises is getting closer, fingers crossed, its all very exciting.
We have been matching up some old coloured toplights, and doing quite a few simple modern bevel designs. Some leaded light repairs have been done, nothing very exciting I’m afraid. We have completed a lovely Atomic style arched door panel, using several little glass lenses and a star shaped central bevel.
We made this robot mirror a while ago, its in our office, but I thought I’d stick some photos on today that look nice together! The binary code apparently spells Modern Glass, so Sam tells me.
And two photos of some sandblasted panel we have done, one of a Stoke scene off an illustration I did, and one of simple flowers which works great as a screening design, when only half the glass is wanted clear for privacy.
April 27th, 2013 by Becky
This is Digby, Sam and Rachels new puppy, and he is often to be found in the office. He isn’t very good at putting orders on the computer yet though.
April is working out nicely in the design department with work, smaller projects mainly, lots of simple bevel toplights and stylish door panels. We are working on two art nouveau style doors at the mo, a pic of one part done is below. Beware, if you cant decide on a colour then we often suggest purple.
A highlight this week was when we received some brilliant thank you letters from some of the school children where the fused glass feet door were installed (see the blog before this one for photos).
Steve has been refurbing some old Knight leaded lights, they have really nice old pale colours, see below.
And the double glazing department at really busy, keep up the good work guys.
April 6th, 2013 by Becky
We have really enjoyed this design commission for Kingsland C.E. Primary School in Bucknall.
A theme of feet was chosen as there are a lot of fun coloured in footsteps around the school. I visited the school with our surveyor Brendon and joinery expert Mark, and chatted with the staff about ideas. We then came up with the idea of fused glass feet to bond onto the doors, with sandblasted lettering and logos for the other parts of the design. Sam worked on some scale layouts which were quickly approved, and we made some fused glass feet samples to show the staff.
Rachel came up with the great idea of photographing each step of the process and we will email them to the school so a presentation can be made to the children, to show how the new doors they have were designed and made.
Although it was quite complicated bonding the feet onto the very large and heavy fire doors we smiled a lot as we worked as they look so fantastic. And Sam made the templates for the lettering and logos for the sandblasted panels.
Our fitters have just finished fitting the new beech frames and doors during the Easter break, so they are ready for the children to see when they return in a week. Steve’s niece is one of the pupils and I am sure she will be telling her friends proudly how her uncle skilfully cut all the glass feet on the new doors. Fiddly work.
News for Modern Glass is that we may actually be moving premises! Nothing is certain yet but watch this space for updates.
It is a big deal to us as we have been in the same location since 1947! Sad but exciting if it all works out, then we will all be back together again.
March 18th, 2013 by Becky
We have had plenty to do, nothing exceptionally exciting, but lots of nice steady jobs. Though we are in the process of baking some fused glass feet/footprints for a school project we have on. Will definitely get photos of that job, school commissions are fun.
I have just started hand-painting some glass for a new frame we are having installed here, but don’t know when I’ll get time to do it all, probably slowly on Saturdays. It will eventually be a scene of our favourite buildings in the Stoke on Trent area, including the obvious bottle ovens, and we have decided it has got to have the spiky man off the side of Debenhams as well. Sam and Steve have already designed and made a geometric leaded light to go in the frame as well, nicknamed the ‘Blockbusters’ window by the glaziers! You will see why when photos of the finished window are posted on here.
Here are some photos of a commission we did for a nice couple who wanted to improve the looks of their 1930′s home. Simple modern replica Art Deco style glass to the rescue.
March 18th, 2013 by Becky
Here is a photo of the finished sample that was shown step by step on Facebook.
We are pleased with it and it looks lovely standing up in our studio. Steve will try and make a leaded light version of it, if he ever has time…. That will look even better than this stylish replica.
February 11th, 2013 by Becky
We are in the process of making a sample window in the style of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Everybody loves a bit of Mackintosh stained glass!
So we thought we could take photos of each step of the way and put them on Facebook as a daily pic, and you can see the process and how many times we tweak and change our minds.
Here is a photo of the initial sketch on the blog, but most will just be on Facebook as its quick and easy.
Let us know what you think.
December 15th, 2012 by Becky
Merry Christmas to you all from Modern Glass.
We can’t wait for the hols after a busy year, two weeks off, bliss.
We have had a wonderful year and have had the pleasure of designing and making some lovely windows for lovely people.
Hope you all have a tinselly fantastic festive season and new year, see you in 2013.
November 24th, 2012 by Becky
After a steady week last week we are suddenly very busy! We have so much work on that Sam and I are having to be very organised, having bi-daily catchup chats to go over everything we are working on to make sure we don’t forget to do anything. We are currently working on, alongside other projects, a modern circle design entranceway, a 1930′s style boat design, geometric art deco reproductions,and Steve is completing a large restoration of a very old church leaded light made up of lots and lots of little old glass green diamonds.
Two of the finished projects this week are below.
The entranceway design is based on the bridal flower stephanotis, which is one of the favourite flowers of the owners, who ran nurseries. They had their initials sandblasted very small on one of the bevels, an extra personal touch.
The glass plaque in the photo has winged its way to London, where it will be presented to a visiting dignitary. Check out the mirrored lettering. This was a lovely commission, involving many emails and photos to finalise.
Have a great week, I have better crack on with work now.
November 10th, 2012 by Becky
We had a giant bonfire and spectacular fireworks last Saturday, it was a great evening with pizza and hot dogs, beer and cider with colleagues and family. Modern glass bonfire night is a highlight of my year. Hope the rest of Northwood enjoyed the view!
Work wise we have had just completed two lovely windows styled on a Tiffany window. The customers are putting them in light boxes on the wall, how great will these look?
I love that they decided to put in some bottle ovens, keeping it local.
We have loads of leaded light work on, including lots of refurbishment projects.
Here are a couple of pics of one of a load of art deco leaded lights being refurbished, before and after. Have a great week.
