June 09
Glass painting as a hobby has been around for quite a long time now, and it is easy to see its appeal just by looking at this book. Unlike many other crafts, it can tie in with a range of other craft hobbies. Card making, Chistmas decorations, decorating a variety of domestic objects and gift packaging are the ones covered in here and there are many others. Knowing how to use the glass paints to their best advantage and what techniques can be done with them apart from straight painting are vital, and are covered here. There is a brief section at the front describing the two types of glass paints and what else you need to obtain to use with them, as well as a short explanation of how to do three techniques. These are expanded on in the projects themselves, and these are indeed diverse. Make some fairies for your holiday decorating, paint a box for a gift, make cards and bookmarks, pictures, fridge magnets, lamps, frames and of course decorate glassware. Just like the other titles in this series each of the twenty projects also has another idea on the same page, making it up to forty. Nor are only paints and outliners used; have a go at using them in conjunction with beads, sequins, buttons, fancy backing papers and textured surfaces for some surprisingly different results. There is a lot in here for a small book, and I found that I learned a lot I didn't know through reading through (and working through) the projects that larger books didn't contain. One of the strongest entries in a good series.
* Myshelf.com *
July/Aug 09
In this smashing book, July Balchin takes readers through the mysteries of this technique. Experienced glass painters will be delighted to find a new selection of projects while beginners and the less experienced will find the step-by-step layout a great help. Judy offers you the opportunity to work a fridge magnet, cards, wine glasses, pictures, frames, bottles, candles and even a lamp, and many of the designs can be adapted for a variety of glass objects. If you want to dust down your brushes or fancy something new, this is a great way to start.
* Classic Stitches *
