| Author | Content |
Lala_Jane
North West, OH
(Zone 5b)
February 17, 2008
04:37 AM Post #4549395
| Although I lurk from time to time, I don't believe I've ever posted over here. Hello Everyone!
I've only done one mosaic project in my life which was on my counter-top a few years ago. It turned out pretty well but there really wasn't a lot of skill involved. I just did a random pattern using Fiesta tiles that matched my kitchen's decor.
Fast forward 4 years and I'm ready to begin again. I have been collecting colored glass for several months and I'm finally ready to draft up a project. Never having been one to start at the bottom and work my way up I've decided on a doozey to begin my glasswork career. I would really like your input please as I have no idea how do-able this project even is.
I had a deck built for my hot tub last fall but couldn't figure out what kind of privacy screening I wanted at the time. I now have this beautiful glass screen all layed out in my mind, but I've never been very good at the mechanics end of ANYthing, and I'm really out of my depth here. I only need the partition on one side so that makes it a little easier...here's the plan, tell me what you think.
Since I'll want this to be in place year round it will need to be durable. So instead of making one hugemongo screen I thought about using 2 or 3 large panels and dividing those panels into 4-6 sections for even more stability. I'm not sure how I'll attach the screens to the deck, but I'll get some one else to work that part out (told you I'm not good with the mechanics. LOL!) My next thought was to put plexyglass inside the frames for additional strength, then doing my mosaic work on the plexyglass. Does that make sense and do you think it would work? Would it hold up to the elements? (If the answer to any of these questions is yes, I will then have to learn how to attach the glass, but I won't get ahead of myself here.)
I am attaching an artist's *cough* *cough* rendition of the deck and panels. What say ye glass workers. Do I have a shot at this project?
(edited for spelling. I KNEW that didn't look right.)
This message was edited Feb 18, 2008 5:35 AM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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slowtornado
Belle Plaine, KS
February 17, 2008
12:21 PM Post #4550255
| Hi Lala_Jane, I'm a novice too. Just now getting started on SG. 2nd. class in Tue!
I have had the very same idea for several weeks. I was given a pair of glass shower doors, THEN I had the idea. I plan to use clear silicone caulk to attach the glass. A frame can be built with a weather hardy wood. And the entire door can be covered with SG. I also intend to find out if river rock can be attached with the silicone. I think this idea would make a beautiful water feature, garden art or room divider. I have since been given another pair of shower doors. And today we are going to go get 1/2 a sliding glass door. (The other 1/2 was broken).
An experienced SG'er would have no problem creating a screen with a wisteria or plumeria hanging down both sides. With some spots left open on both sides it would have a 3-D effect. That is my vision. But it is only in my head. I'm anxious to put it on glass!☺
I love your deck, and *rendition*, and yes I believe you have a shot at the project.
I hope I helped even a little. Good luck, and post your progress, please.
Lora☺
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jylgaskin
Williamsburg, MI
(Zone 4b)
February 17, 2008
02:13 PM Post #4550751
| I think the shower door would work better than the plexi glass. It's tempered and the back side would stay clear where plexi doesn't hold up all the well outside. (it scratches easily and gets kind of dull looking. They sound like great ideas. I think I'm going to look for a patio door and made a garden screen with all the left over stained glass scraps and glass blobs I have. |
Lala_Jane
North West, OH
(Zone 5b)
February 17, 2008
03:06 PM Post #4550958
| Shower doors! What a great idea!
Thank you both for responding to my post. At least I know that my idea is feasible, even though it may need a great deal of tweaking. I'm sure you are both way ahead of me in experience and I'm guessing you will probably get your projects off the drawing board way before me. When you get started please keep me (and everyone) up to speed with your progress. It would be so very helpful if I could follow in some one else's footsteps along the way. |
chickeemama
Graham, WA
February 17, 2008
04:42 PM Post #4551297
| Shower doors are the way to go. Plexi glass if its not thick will flex and thats NEVER good when doing a mosaic. I love your idea and know its do-able!!!!!! Have fun and I will be watching your wip!!! |
slowtornado
Belle Plaine, KS
February 17, 2008
05:56 PM Post #4551574
| Here's a pic of the door we got today. I hadnt thought about it having a grid insert. I havent decided if I like it or not. It may mess up my idea. What do you think?
Lora☺ |
slowtornado
Belle Plaine, KS
February 17, 2008
06:11 PM Post #4551623
| I forgot sumpthin' 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Lala_Jane
North West, OH
(Zone 5b)
February 17, 2008
06:20 PM Post #4551659
| Oh yes Lora I like the grid! That is exactly what I had envisioned for my deck screen. I sure hope I can find something like that...or several somethings to be more exact.
Since you have been so helpful I am going to presume upon you again, I have a couple of pretty basic questions you (or anyone) may be able to answer for me. Firstly I'm wondering how forgiving a little curve in the glass will be. Most of my pieces came from bottles so there are very few perfectly flat pieces. I'm also wondering about thickness as they are not uniform in that area either. Are these things going to cause me problems? |
slowtornado
Belle Plaine, KS
February 17, 2008
06:59 PM Post #4551805
| Hi again, I dont think a little curve will hurt. Just use a little extra glue. also bury sharp edges in the glue. A little bit of curviness will create depth. I dont think thick glass will matter that much either.
Beach glass could be a solution.
There is a bit of discussion about using a watertight plastic container to tumble in. Put glass in, just barely cover with water, and roll it back & forth on the floor with your foot. They say it works very well in about 20min. But I havent tried it.
Good luck, Lora☺
BTW, I'm curious about your steps. Why do you have 2 sets instead of one continuous run? Yeah, I know what happened to the cat, ha;-) |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
February 17, 2008
09:07 PM Post #4552338
| Lora, Lora, Lora... Don't you know there needed to be a space there for her coleus to grow? :-) That way you can walk THROUGH them. :-)
La, your glass screen will be gorgeous. I know you can do it. I envy your hot tub and deck. I've ALWAYS wanted a hot tub. Can't wait to see your glass screens.
Janet |
jylgaskin
Williamsburg, MI
(Zone 4b)
February 17, 2008
09:17 PM Post #4552389
| It takes waaaaaay longer than 20 minuites to make beach glass with a tumbler.I did it with an electric rock tumbler and it took weeks. I would say that you would have the most muscular legs in town if you tried it manually.. |
Lala_Jane
North West, OH
(Zone 5b)
February 17, 2008
09:41 PM Post #4552556
| LOL @ tiptoeing through the coleus and LOL again @ the most muscular legs in town.
Jyl, I don't want to speak for Lora, but I think she was referring to another thread where some one mentioned putting the glass in a container and shaking it for a few minutes to remove the rough edges. I too have a tumbler (actually 3 of them, LOL) and I plan to alternate the tumbled glass with the clear glass on my screens.
Lora, the steps on the left were not positioned correctly and I may have them moved this spring. The intent was to have a small step right off the back door which leads to the garage, then a larger step at the opposite end ~ off the hot tub area which will step down onto a yet-to-be-built lower platform. Depending where the bank balance is this spring/summer, I may add the lower deck and have the steps repositioned at the same time.
Thanks for the encouragement Janet! I wish I had just a little of your creativity when it comes to putting something like this together, but I guess I have to start somewhere, eh? |
slowtornado
Belle Plaine, KS
February 17, 2008
10:28 PM Post #4552802
| Lala_Jane, thanx for the clarification, (the cat is recovering);)
and you're right, that thread was about taking off the rough edges. I dont have a tumbler, but have been looking for one. Alternating the glass styles will look awesome. I can hardly wait to see what I can come up with on the shower doors. 3 of them are the obscure pattern. The 4th is a mirror, it will be one of those leaning kind w/SG on the edges.☺
I guess beach glass takes so long because it really takes 100 years + to make the real thing. I like to go to the river in the Summer to get it.
And Janet, if you're not making me LOL, Connie is☺ I'm so anxious to tell her to send those plants, but I dont dare yet.
What could we come up with if we were all together?
BTW, I think the slider may be part of that GH hubB doesnt know he's building! ☺
Lora;~) |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
February 17, 2008
11:37 PM Post #4553201
| Plants are the furthest thing from any of our minds here in SE Texas. We both have had (and I still have) a multitude of remodeling projects going on. We went to the greenhouse the other day and looked around. Things still look good in there.
I hope Connie posts some photos soon somewhere of what she's been working on. It's incredible what she's done for our niece with a little upstairs apartment.
I've only worked with glass one time and that was 25 years ago. Sadly, this piece is no longer in existence. It shattered into a bajillion pieces. Connie helped me create this Pegasus.
Sorry for the minor hijack there La. Get busy so we can see your screens!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
February 18, 2008
11:32 PM Post #4558131
| I don't want to "re-hijack" this thread, but I just found out that Connie has posted a thread in Trash to Treasure about her apartment renovations that I talked about above. Here is the link to the thread http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/814848/.
You'll see why plants have been the last thing on her mind these days.
Ya know La, I gotta give you big credit for getting the drawing done of your proposed project. I see things in my mind all the time, but trying to get a photo to show someone is almost impossible for me.
Janet
Edited to remove double links. Not sure what my fingers were thinking. It sure wasn't what my brain thought. :-)
This message was edited Feb 19, 2008 8:04 AM |
Brender
Topsham, ME
(Zone 5a)
February 19, 2008
09:13 AM Post #4559009
| I'm digging it, La_La! |
Lala_Jane
North West, OH
(Zone 5b)
February 19, 2008
10:16 PM Post #4562348
| Thank ya Brender! I know this will take a long time, but I've put my feelers out for the doors, so there's step number one. ;-) |
jylgaskin
Williamsburg, MI
(Zone 4b)
February 19, 2008
11:08 PM Post #4562621
| Lala, have you ever heard of freecycle.org? I'll bet you could find shower panels or doors on there. |
correads
Sterling, VA
April 02, 2008
04:13 PM Post #4746971
| I'm new to this forum but I've done a lot of crafts. Some things to think about -- wind/weather outside. Shower doors will probably crack or shatter. I don't think shower doors will stand up well against severe/extreme temperatures (I've lived in Ohio). Might consider making panels and enclosing them (both sides sealed with silicon against the weather) in thin, good quality, clear plexiglas and then framing the panels ( sort of like a see through shadow box) and mounting the panels to a standing folding screen or some sort of frame that can be attached to the deck. Or you could use outside doors instead of shower doors... |
slowtornado
Belle Plaine, KS
April 02, 2008
09:45 PM Post #4748549
| correads, I admit I havent looked at them real close, but I think they are required to be safety glass. I do have several sliding door glass panels that I know are safety glass. I'm not planning to make them all for outside. Some will be inside room dividers.
I'll be working on them & posting pic's as soon as I can go outside & stay for hours without freezing!
Hey Lala, I dont suppose you have your screen done, do you? Waiting for a pic, OK?
Lora☺ |
