Collage and Mock SGS

[John Carmichael]

Hello All:   I've been meaning to tell you about two very beautiful and easy techniques I read about for using stained glass to make a sundial. To my knowledge nobody has ever made a sundial using either of these innovative methods.   In the gorgeous book called "Stained Glass Workshop" by Italian Maria di Spirito, (English translation, 2001 Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.) she describes the "Collage" and the "Mock Stained Glass" techniques.  Both of these assembly methods are a little easier than the traditional leaded stained glass method because there is no lead came used for assembly.  Also, unlike traditional leaded glass windows, these windows are completely waterproof and very durable in comparison.   Using The Collage Method, cut pieces of glass, similar to the pieces of a puzzle, are glued to a pane of ordinary clear window glass using a special epoxy. No space is left between the joints and the pieces fit tightly together.  You may have seen tables made using this technique.  If you look at the magnificent Blue Dial (Dial 10) on the SGS website, you will see a new photo, just sent to me by Mike Cowham of the wonderful restoration work that was just done to repair all the cracks. I strongly suspect that the collage method or a derivation thereof, was used to repair the broken glass since you'll see the repair lead from the previous restoration is no longer there.   The Mock Stained Glass method looks fun and seems like anyone could do it.  Just take a pane of ordinary window glass and lay it flat on a table with the pattern under it. There is a special lead strip you can buy that has adhesive on one side.  You just stick it where you want to see lead.  You don't have to cut glass or solder anything. The mock lead strips are like little pools that you fill with different colors of the special transparent paint.  You let it dry and I swear, only an expert could tell that it's not real stained glass!  I have a feeling that this is the technique they use to mass-produce all those fake Tiffany glass lamps that you see everywhere.   Anyway, for those of you who feel intimidated to try real leaded stained glass for your sundials, you might want to explore using these two easier techniques.   John   John L. Carmichael Jr. 925 E. Foothills Dr. Tucson Arizona, USA Tel: 520-696-1709 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sundial Sculptures Website: http://www.sundialsculptures.com Stained Glass Sundials Website: http://advanceassociates.com/Sundials/Stained_Glass