Express your love for birds uniquely through glass bird feeders. The artful designs done on glass bird feeders are sure to make your bird cage, porch, or garden a little more interesting and lively. The intricate designs, placed around the feeders so that you can view the patterns from any standpoint, will surely give a sense of authenticity to your enthusiasm for birds.

Glass is steadily becoming the material of choice for bird feeders. Glass can offer greater flexibility in terms of design patterns. Glass artwork can give your feeders exotic finishes limited only by an artist’s or your imagination. More importantly, glass feeder designs are reputed to be more resistant to scratches, rusting, or flaking off.

Adding glass bird feeders as accent pieces to your birdcage or garden is one sure way to elevate your enjoyment for birds, be it wild or caged ones. However, as glass bird feeders can definitely increase the level of activity for birds in your area, they may be a little bit delicate to clean. So read on for a few pointers on how to have easier time sprucing up your glass bird feeder.

Bleach And Water

Cleaning up a glass bird feeder should be fast and easy when you use bleach and water. Bleach can effectively eliminate molds and other unwanted microscopic organisms. With the rise of various avian diseases that can be contagious to humans, keeping glass bird feeders clean down to sub-atomic levels can be the best preventive measure for bird enthusiasts to avoid catching bird related diseases like the bird flu.
By adding bleach-a standard disinfectant– to water, you can be sure that your glass bird feeders are not only visibly clean, but pathogenically safe as well.

However, bleach is not so good on the smell. In fact, household bleach can cause allergies to some people. To prevent allergic reactions or stop the disturbing odor, the measure of the bleach mixture must be in the ratio of ten parts of water to only one part of bleach. This solution is enough for an effective yet smell-free cleaning.

For people who are really allergic to bleach smell, letting the glass bird feeders air dry or, better yet, applying a coating of sugar extract on the feeders can surely suppress the violent smell of bleach.

And, of course, you want to be sure to rinse off any bleach residue so you do not poison your birds with it!

Two Glass Bird Feeders Are Better Than One

Having two glass bird feeders for each spot you want to put feeders on can surely cut your cleaning chores into just a few seconds. Use one bird feeder for a couple of days then replace it with the other one. To clean the first one you used, soak it in bleach and water solution. Alternately using two glass bird feeders and switching them regularly shortens your cleaning and handling time without the rush that could make you break your glass feeders.

Use A Cleaning Mop Or Brush

A feeder cleaning mop or brush can be a very effective tool for cleaning glass bird feeders. Basically a cleaning mop or brush is made up of a lump of foam or bristles fastened on one end of a ten or twelve-inch wire or rod. Glass bird feeders, particularly those made by blowing glass, have intricate designs and forms; hence you need a cleaning mop or brush to definitely reach and clean the lowermost and innermost parts of a glass feeder.

Sure, a bleach solution can effectively clean your bird feeder; but when you are unable to scrape off stubborn slime building up on the bottom of the feeder, molds and other undesirable organisms will eventually attach themselves and grow inside the feeder. A cleaning mop or brush can often last a year, at the very least.

Nothing Beats Hot Water

Some bird enthusiasts disagree with using bleach and water solution in cleaning glass bird feeds. They argue that, unlike most humans, birds have a more sensitive sense of smell. Any amount of bleach left on the feeder, no matter how small, can drastically affect the birds.

So instead of bleach, enthusiasts who avoid using bleach swear by the effectiveness of plain hot water and good old brushing. They reason that hot water can do the job of killing unwanted organisms while brushing can scrape off molds and other stains.

So there you have it, make a statement for all the bird lovers out there by using glass bird feeders. Unlike common feeders, glass bird feeders have unique design patterns. Above all, remember to keep your glass bird feeders clean.

Glass paintings turn plain sheets of glasses into marvelous pieces of art. Glass paintings are rare finesses and cherished legacies of the remarkable artworks of the past. Also coined as glass engravings, the paintings on glass overwhelmed with their refined beauty, mystical luminosity, enrichment of colors and meticulousness. Possibly an outcome of the Renaissance Movement in Italy, glass paintings became popular all over the world. They were transported to India at the turn of the eighteenth century. The Indian painters imbibed this new form of painting from the Chinese immigrants who settled in coastal India during this time. The sophisticated glass paintings adored the interiors of the elites and royal families. Indian craft traditions have treasured this traditional form of art in the most impressive way. Learn about glass paintings and get amazed visualizing the collection of these paintings. Just spare a minute to click on the site and see how the magic unveils.

The state of Gujarat is said to be the precursor of glass painting in India. Later on the art flourished in the regions of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan, Mysore, Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai, Hyderabad, West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. The themes had regional diversifications. They were imbibed from the folklore, religious books and from the great Indian epics -The Ramayana and The Mahabharata. European themes can be viewed in some works. Pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses, their romantic pursuits, images from the mythological stories, natural sceneries, animal images and portraits of the kings and royal ladies were also used as the theme for the paintings.

The glass paintings were laid down on Belgium glasses imported from Belgium and England. The technique of painting was unique. Beautiful images were outlined on the opposite side of a glass. Bright colors were applied to paint the images. The colors were made to dry and permanently fix to the glass by the aid of proper heating techniques. Finally the paintings were embellished with semi-precious stones; gold and silver powders and glitters to create a luminous effect. The paintings dazzled in proper effect of lighting. A glorious painting of the bygone era, glass painting has retained its place in the modern households as exotic showpieces and wall decorations.

For detailed information on Glass Paintings, please visit India Crafts

“I just don’t want to block them all up. I really need the privacy and security of the glass blocks, but I can’t afford to give up the fresh air in my basement and bathrooms to keep my family healthy,” the customer said with a concerned look on her face. This has been a common concern with homeowners who want the security, privacy, and style of block windows but don’t want to sacrifice air flow.

Fortunately you can now get the best of both worlds - block windows and air flow are no longer mutually exclusive. There are two ways you can make this happen - glass block windows with air ventilation systems and completely operable acrylic block windows. Let’s explore these options in greater detail and also answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding vents in block windows systems.

Glass Windows with Air Ventilation Systems

Block windows have traditionally been mortared (in some cases silicone) together to provide light, security, and privacy - strong benefits but sometimes flawed if you also need air ventilation into your space or air to flow out of your home or business. The new product options and benefits for these block air ventilation systems have never been better.

o Air Vents to reduce heating and cooling costs and keep air flowing- With double pane glass and slim line vinyl frames the new generation of air vents allow air to come in while being small enough to keep intruders out. The vents come in white and tan and a wide variety of sizes to match exterior colors and maintain the symmetry of the block window.

o Power Vents to get rid of musty smell and improve indoor air quality - Power vents are vinyl framed ventilators with two powered fans that can move 145 cubic feet per minute of air to fight mold, power away smoke, circulate the air for healthier, thereby providing fresher living spaces. The Power Vent comes with an A/C adapter that plugs right into your wall.

o Removable Sash Windows for maximum air flow and to move items in and out - Removable sash windows have an inside window sash that completely removes from the inside, giving maximum air and allowing a larger space to bring materials inside or outside of a basement or other space.

o Dryer Vent Blocks to move air out from a dryer in a glass block basement window - Dryers are often located in basements and their venting is often directed through an inefficient single pane metal or wood framed basement window. Vinyl dryer vent blocks replace the space taken up by one block in a new glass window and allow you to get the benefits of the block without having to vent your dryer through the foundation (which can be considerably more expensive).

Operable Acrylic Block Windows

If you want the looks and privacy of block and the ability to completely open your windows, just like a traditional window, then operable acrylic block windows are for you. Since these windows are made of acrylic block, not glass block, they are light enough to incorporate the block-look and have the functionality of a casement window.

Acrylic block windows are enclosed in a low maintenance welded vinyl frame with the thermal benefits of double insulated or low emissivity (low e) glass. The frames are available in white, tan, or driftwood colors to match exterior window package colors. The blocks come in 3 patterns (wave, cross rib, and frosted wave) and 3 colors options (green wave, green frosted wave, and solar block for more energy efficiency).

These windows are commonly used as casement windows which cranks out side to side (either in a kitchen, bathroom, or in a basement egress situation) or as an awning window which cranks out in an up and down direction. The acrylic block windows include a removable screen on the inside as well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ventilations in Glass Block Windows

Included below are the 3 most frequently asked questions about ventilation in block windows.

Question: Should I vent every window?
Answer: Vent as many windows as your budget allows. More ventilation will make your home environmentally safer with less chance of mold build up.

Question: How many vents do I need?
Answer: That depends on the size of area you want to freshen and how you’re planning to use the space both now and in the future. Consider more venting for larger areas, spaces where people might be smoking or working, and bathrooms which have a lot of moisture and steam in the air.

Question: How much venting does the building code require?
Answer: This answer will be specific to where you live. Check with your city or municipality.

In summary, the good news is that block windows and ventilation are no longer separate ships passing in the night. Yes, you can have the privacy, security, and beauty of glass or acrylic block windows and now you don’t have to go without the air flow you want in your home or business.

A prospective customer recently asked, “How can I get a cool looking glass block shower without breaking the bank?” Fortunately, doing a glass shower project doesn’t have to be a magical mystery tour that drains your wallet. It’s all about finding the right people to take you through the right processes and design, while not forgetting to give you style and value for your money. Here’s 6 1/2 cost saving ideas to get you going and keep your budget in tact.

The Right People

Cost Saving Idea 1 - Go Skilled - A project in Columbus Ohio looked terrible. The joints were uneven, metal reinforcing had rusted on the inside of the shower, and the wall was not level. The customer wanted the wall down NOW! When asked who installed the shower the homeowner said, “It was our tile guy - he said doing a block shower was no problem, but after 4 weeks of delays and poor quality you can see we found out otherwise!”

The reality is many tile contractors and even skilled masons install block showers on a limited basis. Since glass blocks take longer to lay than brick, block, or tile there can be a tendency to rush and sacrifice quality. If possible find out a skilled glass block specialty contractor. Ask about their experience with shower walls (some block companies focus on windows only and don’t have the higher skills for shower walls) and ask for references. If you can’t find a skilled block contractor go to Cost Saving Idea 5 and consider buying glass block panels you can stack up.

The Right Process

Cost Saving Idea 2 - Get Coordinated - There is a famous saying - measure twice, cut once. In a glass block shower project you can’t even cut once because the blocks cannot be cut like tile or flat glass. The key is to get coordinated first to save money, time and aggravation later. Get the right people to the site in the beginning (your tile or shower base contractor, the block contractor, and the person who will be using the new shower). At this meeting determine the size, shape, and height of the shower walls before the base is created (note: ask your block contractor if they have layout cards to assist in this design and construction planning process).

The Right Design and Wall Fabrication Approach

Keeping your prices and costs down is often a matter of pre-planning the design and fabricating the walls in the most cost effective manner. The design and fabrication approached below will help.

Cost Saving Idea 3 - Go Straight - A block wall can be built in either radius design or straight wall. Straight walls are easier and less costly to build because the skill level of the contractor does not need to be as high (radius walls are often set block by block with different inside mortar joints vs. outside joints - a very difficult installation for a novice block layer). Spacers and prefabricated wall sections can make the project easier as well.

Cost Saving Idea 4 - Get Skinny - Glass block shower walls are built in either 3 1/8″ or 3 7/8″ thicknesses. Most block walls are built with 3 7/8″ blocks due to the product range (the full range of shaped corners, ends, angles, radius and double ended blocks come in this thickness) and it is easier to install thicker blocks than thinner blocks. For some straight walls using the 3 1/8″ block can be a nice cost savings. One manufacturer (Mulia Inc.) even makes a 3 1/8″ finished end block to complete the end of your block wall. The thinner materials are priced less and can sometimes be exactly what’s needed if you want to put a block wall on an existing base that is not wide enough to for the thicker blocks.

Cost Saving Idea 5 - Stack it Up - Why do a project block by block when you can often save time, money, and improve quality with pre-fabricated glass block wall panels? An installation system called Vinyl Stack can be used to join the blocks to make stacking pre-made sections easier than a unit by unit installation. These wall sections are shipped nationwide - from as far away places as Oregon to Florida to Maine to Iowa. Panels are designed in sections that aren’t too large to be handled and are simply stacked, anchored, and finished grouted at the project site.

Cost Saving Idea 6 - Go Doorless - The glass block walk in shower without a door is becoming one of the hottest design trends for two reasons (1) it saves on maintenance and aggravation of cleaning around the door frames and (2) it cuts out the cost of the shower door. Hot style and lower prices, a good combination.

The Right Products for Your Style

Cost Saving Idea 6 1/2 - Use Colors and Shapes - Why is this called cost saving idea 6 1/2 vs. idea 7? This tip might not save you money but it will provide the style, interest, and cool factor homeowners usually want when they’re installing a block shower. Shaped blocks are used to turn corners, step down a wall in 8″ increments, create rounded corners, and finish the end of a wall. They add an upscale look and in many cases save money from having to use a dissimilar material (like tile or granite or wood) to finish off the end of a wall. Colored glass blocks can be made in either vibrant reds, oranges, purples, blues, yellows (or any custom color you can think of) or muted satin color finishes for a more understated hint of color. Custom artistically designed block murals are also available if you want a one of a kind look.

Now that you’re equipped with these 6 1/2 price and cost saving shower ideas you should be ready to start your project.

The Roman historian Pliny relates the legend of Phoenician merchants in 500 BCE discovering molten glass when cooking their meal. Archaeological remains of river valley civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley reveal the existence of man-made glass beads dating to around 3500 BCE. Mesopotamia, Egypt, Mycenae, and China were well known as glassmaking nations. And, details of the process of producing glass are to be found on stone tablets from the library of the Assyrian king Asherbanipal dating to 650 BCE.

It was in ancient Mesopotamia that the art of glass blowing originated, when an innovator working with glass discovered that molten glass could be blown like a balloon when air is blown through a glass tube. This was followed by the use of metal pipes at least two centuries before the birth of Christ. This revolutionized glass production, and Romans rich and poor began using glass. The Roman Empire established glass-manufacturing centers in all parts of the kingdom and Italy, France, Germany, as well as Switzerland and many regions along the Mediterranean.

Like pipers who played music, skilled artisans endured intense heat to coax molten glass into beautiful forms much treasured by the world. A true art, each creation reflected its maker and nation. Venice perfected glass blowing and exported Venetian glass to all corners of the world.

The process of glass blowing was simplified by the Industrial Revolution, in 1820, when Bakewell, Page, and Bakewell patented the mechanical pressing of glass. At the end of the 19th century an American named Michael Owens invented an automatic bottle-blowing machine, and by the 1920s there were 200 automatic glass Blowing machines in operation in America. Glass progressed from being handmade to being mass-produced.

Today glass is mass-produced for everyday uses, while hand-blown glass is treasured by collectors and connoisseurs of glass as an art form.

From the earliest of times, glass has contained lead, the densest of elements, used to give the glass a “ring” to it as well as to increase its’ density, allowing the deep and precise cuts of American Brilliant Cut glass and the superior quality for pressed glass patterns.

During the Civil War, much of the available lead was used in the manufacture of munitions, leaving the glass industry to substitute in its place soda lime, a combination of the oxides of sodium, calcium, silicon, aluminum, sulfur, phosphorus magnesium, titanium and iron. The various glass houses of the time each had their own secret formulas, varying the composition of the different oxides to each produce their unique blend of glass.

The first recorded instance of soda lime glass is attributed to William Leighton in 1864.

With the Lead containing glass, the higher the percent of lead, the deeper the tone of the ring of the glass piece, and I might add, the higher the value of the piece. Generally Flint Glass is deemed of higher value, though not always. Another consideration is the design of the piece/pattern.

Two Soda Lime patterns which have a much higher value than any other flint glass pieces are “Jumbo” and Squirrel”, both of which have rather intricate designs. (More on these patterns to follow!) Many of the older patterns were made in both the Lead containing Flint Glass and the soda lime glass compositions, such as “Ashburton”.

When purchasing a piece of glass determine whether it is lead or soda lime merely by tapping the piece. It also helps to know the name of the pattern/mold and whether it was produced solely in Flint or Soda Lime or both configurations. Be aware that when tapping a piece, the inherent shape, such as a the bowl of a goblet, may cause the piece to resonate, but in comparison to flint glass the ring is quite muted. Soda Lime glass moreover does not have the brilliance of the leaded flint glass, but this is a difficult comparison as pieces of both are needed.

Ever heard of radioactive glass? Vaseline glass, which often appears an interesting bright green or yellow color, gets its color from the use of uranium salts-given the glass enough radioactivity to set off a Geiger counter. No, I’m not kidding. Uranium salts come in a natural bright yellow color that ends up shading the rest of the glass into its unique color. Since this yellow color was so unique, it made the glass extremely popular, and still does to this day.

There is no reason to worry if you collect Vaseline glass, however. Geiger counters can pick up even normal background radiation, and this is the amount that Vaseline glass gives off. Not nearly enough to ever be harmful. In fact, the only even theoretical way that Vaseline glass can be harmful is if the glass is cut into a fine powder and inhaled in large amounts in the air.

Vaseline glass is still a beautiful and unique collectible, standing out from normal glass because of its distinctive color. The uranium also gives the glass a very unique aspect: under UV lights the glass will actually glow. This is why many antique dealers use black lights in order to identify true Vaseline glass from similar colored look-alikes.

Most sources say that the first Vaseline glass appeared 1830s. There is some circumstantial evidence that uranium salts may have been used as far back as Roman times, but this claims can’t be verified. All Vaseline glass is from modern times, from the 19th century on, and remains a valuable collector’s item.

Great Britain produced the far majority of Vaseline/uranium glass, though by the end of World War II, this was no longer the case. A small amount is still produced in the United States and Czechoslovakia, though this is not as valuable as the original British pieces. If you hear or see the term “Uranium Glass,” this is the same thing as Vaseline glass, and the two terms are completely interchangeable.

What is remarkable about these pieces is the numerous ways they have been used: for glasses, decanters, candle sticks, and many other items. Vaseline glass shows up in so many interesting forms, which is part of what makes it a wonderful collectible. This type of glass is still considered a valuable antique and is in high demand in many places. As long as the unique yellow color continues to attract people, there will always be a demand.

Understanding how to develop the right size shower base and shower walls with glass blocks does not need to be some mysterious process. If you’ll follow the steps in this article you’ll have an easy to clean, structurally sound, and unique shower you can enjoy in your home or commercial property for years to come.

Step 1) What type of glass block shower do you want?

There are basically two types of showers you can use - a shower without a door, and a shower with a door. Here’s an overview of where to use both:

A) Showers without a door (walk in and roll in showers) - Door-less showers have become hot in bathroom design over the last 5 years. The two most popular types of these showers are walk in and roll in showers. The biggest advantage of walk in showers is you can eliminate the cost of the shower door and having to bend over to clean around the door’s framing system. The roll in shower also does not have a door, but also eliminates the curb around the base that someone has to step over to get into the shower. This makes the shower much more accessible to those with special needs. The roll in shower base is gradually sloped in towards the drain. The biggest disadvantages of the doorless showers is their bases (or platforms) need to be sized larger.

B) Showers with a door (neo angle or corner showers) - Most showers have doors to prevent water from splashing out. A popular type of shower enclosure is a neo angle variety that is placed in the corner of a bathroom to conserve space. The advantage of a shower enclosure system with a door is that it can fit into tighter spaces (these showers can be as small as 32″ or 36″).

Step 2) What type of glass block shower base do you want? How do you size this base and design it out at your project site?

There are two generic types of shower bases available for block - (1) the preformed base and (2) the custom concrete base.

o The preformed base is created and sized before it is brought to the job site and can be made out of acrylic, cultured marble, or other solid surface materials. It is generally thought to cost less than a custom base, which is often true, but not always. The biggest advantage of these types of systems is they are built as one solid unit to minimize the concern about water leakage through the base. The biggest disadvantage is their size cannot be adjusted at the job site. Pittsburgh Corning makes an acrylic right or left hand entry walk in glass block shower base measuring 72″ x 51″, a Neo Angle shower measuring 51″ x 51″, a Square corner shower measuring 48″ x 48″ and even an acrylic shower base 60″ x 32″ that can be used to convert a small existing tub space into a new contemporary shower!

o The custom concrete or mud set pan base is sized at the new home, remodeling, or commercial building site. Since glass block cannot be cut like tile, you’ll need to use layout cards that correspond to the size of the block units to make sure the custom base you’ll make will match up with the specific block sizes for your design. Most of the layout cards are approximately 4″ wide (3 7/8″ is the exact size) to accommodate for the most common thickness of block used for showers. The other base thickness is 3 1/8″ wide, although design options with this thickness series are more limited.

Step 3) Choosing the right sizes, shapes, and colors to make your glass block shower cool and unique.

o There are a wide selection of block sizes, patterns, shapes, colors and even artistically designed murals available for your shower. Here’s a brief overview of your options:

o Sizes and thicknesses of glass blocks for showers - Glass masonry units are made is both metric and American sizes. Most of the blocks available in the United States are American sized. The American sized blocks are available in 4″ x 8″, 6″ x 6″, 6″ x 8″, 8″ x 8″, and 12″ x 12″. Specialty shapes can help you turn corners, make 45 degree neo angle showers, create rounded or radius walls if you’re looking to make a walk in or roll in shower, or finish off the end of the shower wall with a smooth bullnose look. The blocks have nominal sizes meaning the actual size of the block units is

]]> http://www.bahaatalis.com/2010/04/glass-block-shower-sizes-for-design-and-installation-success/feed/ http://www.bahaatalis.com/2010/04/depression-glass-antique-glass-thats-living-history/ http://www.bahaatalis.com/2010/04/depression-glass-antique-glass-thats-living-history/#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 09:18:47 +0000 admin http://www.bahaatalis.com/2010/04/depression-glass-antique-glass-thats-living-history/

Depression glass is called so because it was glass that was made during the Great Depression Era. All Depression Glass was made in the United States from the late 1920s to the early 1940s. Federal Glass, Hocking Glass, and MacBeth-Evans were just three of the companies that tried to help lift people’s spirits in what little ways they could by mass producing cheap colorful glassware that could be sold equally cheaply, often for as little as the price of a loaf of bread.

The most popular colors with collectors today are pink, blue, and green. In fact, pink is so popular that to many people the term “depression glass” is synonymous with “pink depression glass.” Aside from pink, however, it was also made in amber, opaque white, blue, green, and several other colors. Some of the most popular patterns buyers seek today are Cameo, Mayfair, American Sweetheart, Princess and Royal Lace.

Aside from the beautiful colors and designs that were supposed to hopefully lift the spirits of a nation during one of the most difficult times in American history. Even the pattern names were supposed to refer to better times and a longing for the glamorous lifestyles of the 1920s.

Depression glass was popular and affordable when it was new. The dime store was a common source for this type of glass, which could be bought for somewhere between a nickel and a dime. This made this type of glass affordable even during the most difficult of times.

Depression glass also made its way into American homes through the “premiums” that were issued via “premiums.” Sellers or manufacturers would offer a free gift with the purchase of a certain dollar amount of goods or a specific product, and housewives in hard times took advantage.

Glass was plucked from an oatmeal box one week and from a detergent box the next. Sometimes gas stations would throw in a punch bowl and cups with an oil change, or a movie theater would offer a piece of glass with a ticket to a Saturday matinee. This colorful glass remains a popular antique collectible item now, and a reminder of a hard past.

If you are at all interested in stained glass and are using a lot of stained glass materials, you could cut costs significantly by procuring your supplies from the wholesale markets. Even if you are not a professional, you could still look at this market for supplies that might be available at a lower price. However, there are a number of difficulties in that case. Wholesale markets may not be available locally, and you will have to add costs for transportation, which for small lots may not work out economically. You may also have to have a good knowledge of the various options available to order remotely.

A number of websites offer links to wholesalers in stained glass supplies. The Yahoo directory for Business and Economics is one good source that gives a few wholesale and mail order suppliers of stained glass materials. Major suppliers have also registered with popular search engines, where you can get information about wholesale supplies. The Internet also has a number of generic wholesale directories that can be accessed at no cost. You can look for stained glass supplies in these directories also.

Trade and crafts associations like the International Guild of Glass Artists (IGGA) also provide specialized services and discounts to their members. If you are getting seriously interested stained glass, it might not be a bad idea to enroll with one of these. You can get not only supply information and discounted prices, but also other services and advice that can help you in this field.