Sandblasting then painting

[Tre V]

  Let's see if I can explain this one...We're building a staircase in a craftsman style house and I want to make the balusters out of stained and sealed spruce about 6" wide, 4" apart (per code) and then about 1/3 of the way from the top of each one, drill it out and  have a 4" glass roundel. I've thought of blown ones but they're pretty pricy and not particularly individual. I thought of using plain art glass and painting a tiny mountain scene on each one (there will be about 20) then firing them, but I'm not sure they'll look good from both sides. I also thought about using clear or very very light blue glass, lightly sandblasting on each side to give the glass tooth, and painting the same scene on each side, one side in mirror of the other. I'm looking for suggestions on how best to do this, or other ideas. Maybe just blast a cedar tree design on different colors of glass...?   
   Tiny pieces of foiled glass are not my strongest point, but then neither is painting on glass, so all ideas are on the table.   
    Isn't it nice to have a whole think tank at your disposal?   

[JoanFrances]

Tre you could always just engrave the design, or sand blast them.  The engraved/sand blasted design would show from both sides.  The other thing you could do to cut down on the amount of work you have to do is use some of that fancy textured glass instead of engraving/sandblasting.  They have 3 or 4 leaf designs and also a rose design that would be very pretty.  Here is link to yglass web site showing the different glasses that I am talking about.    http://yglass.com/clandtitegl.html

Sounds like a wonderful tough though. 

I think I have some of my engraved round candle dishes and coasters in the gallery.  I used double thick window glass to do my engraving.

[Tre V]

Thanks JF..I think I would like to try something handcrafted. I'm still in the "hhhhmmmmm" phase.

[Kev]

I think sandblasting is the way to go. A cedar tree sounds really nice as a simple elegant design. Carve into the glass to add dimension to it. You can cut glass into a circles and fuse clear and pale blue together to give you 1/4" thickness, then sand carve the design into it.

[Tre V]

I can be a wimp and buy pre-cut circles, I think...

[Kev]

You sure can!

[JoanFrances]

If you are gonna do several then maybe it would be worth buying the circle cutter.  Then in the end you still have the circle cutter, could come out a draw on the money end. 

[Kev]

Even 1/8" glass would suit for a surface sandblasted etching instead of carving. Have you thought about how you are going to secure the glass into the wood?

[Tre V]

It'll have a routed lip on one side, silicone adhesive, then use a bead of wicker reeding on the other side. I can pre-shape the reeding to fit right in the 4" circle, then use a thin bead of silicone to make it stay.

[Anne]

I have nothing to add as I know nothing about sandblasting but had to tell you I'm looking forward to seeing this happen!

[Kev]

Ah...you have thought this through...good girl!  It will be beautiful!

[ct4mom]

Im like Anne, nothing to add but sounds like a great project hope you share the pics with us.

[Barbara]

Add me to the list of the I don't knows and will certainly be looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[Tre V]

Will do..as soon as I start  :)

[Judy K]

You mentioned firing the paint so I assume you have a kiln, I can't remember.

You could cut, or buy circles in any glass that hit your fancy, because you would not be mixing glass. And then slump it over a simple or complicated shape made from 1/8" fiber paper. This would be quick and the dimention would give the glass a little life as the sun changed in the room.

Maybe an acorn. Maybe every circle is a little different shade of blue. Or all the same light blue and two patterns alternating, a tree and an acorn, a Bird and a flower, or a swirl and a zig zag.

[Tre V]

Judy, I don't have a kiln, but a neighbor does..I like the idea of slumping it over a shape..

[Becki]

If the rounds are going to be seen from both sides keep in mind that slumping onto fiber paper is going to give you a one shiny, decorated side and one matte finished, not so decorative side. 

[JoanFrances]

what about using 3 discs.  Design 2 and insert a colored glass between them.   

[Judy K]

I like the textured side left by the fiber paper. Infact, I do it rough side up and cut a hole in it.
Here are two quickie photos of my living room coasters in the window, since yours will have light through them.

I cut a 12" sq of glass in 9 , 4" squares. You can then put two on top of each other for darker color. Or if you are using tested compatible glass, like system 96, you can use a clear and a color together. I then place them on the 1/8" fiber paper with the design cut out of the center and Full Fuse. Done! They could be what ever shape you want.

Wolf and Snowshoe hare tracks with rubber feet in the corners of the coasters. Our glasses don't sweat here, no humidity, so they work great to protect the table for us.

[Kev]

What is the 2nd one of Judy?