Newsletter: Winter 2018
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With this issue we start our second year. Thanks to all who have contributed news, images, and discounts. Have a glassy new year!

Safe with Glass

We've probably all cut ourselves at least once while sweeping up broken glass. On the other hand glass is so stable that EPA cleanups encase hazardous materials in glass to keep them out of the environment. If you can keep it from breaking, your glass art is very safe (scroll down for tips on staying safe in the studio).
Safe Glass Art Care
1) Don't change temperature fast. Most glass art is "soda-lime" (also called "soft glass") rather than the more expensive "boro-silicate" (like your freezer-to-oven brand-named glassware). To make more than a 50° F temperature change, do it slowly or risk breakage:
  • Glass garden art that's been sitting in the hot sun all day shouldn't be hit with a stream of cold water.
  • Pouring boiling-hot soup into an art glass bowl is not recommended.
  • If washing your glass lampshade in your dishwasher, turn off the added heat (turn on "Energy saver" in some brands).
  • Use only the recommended bulbs in glass lampshades: too much heat too close can break the glass.
Other temperature issues: freeze/thaw can break glass art outdoors if it collects water
You can see Bedrock Industries' lollipops like these and other glass garden art at the NW Flower and Garden Show in Seattle Feb 7-11
2) Don't over stress your glass. Unlike the windows in your car, your glass art is probably not tempered or laminated so it needs to be thicker to withstand a lot of weight or pressure. i.e. if it isn't designed as bench, don't sit on it. If it isn't designed as a hammer, don't pound with it...
3) Store/hang your glass properly
Even if vertical, metal frames tend to sag with time and the glass can break. Store windows upright (rather than flat in a cardboard box as happened to the ones in the before photo). Having a wooden frame will also make your windows more durable.
Before: These metal-framed leaded windows were stored flat.
After: Covenant Art Glass restored them and added wood frames to increase stability.
The lead in leaded windows and lamps is safe if not disturbed. It does not flake off like paint or pose a health risk in normal use, especially with a patina or wax coating on it. That said, you do want to take care when cleaning: use mild dish soap rather than a commercial window cleaner (these often have ammonia, vinegar or other non-neutral pH components). Stronger chemicals can cause a chemical reaction and degrade the stability of the window. While you are cleaning notice any break in the joints, powder in the caulking or decay in the wooden sash. If these issues are not attended to while they are small, the window will eventually disintegrate. Consult your local stained glass studio if you can't figure out how to fix it yourself. If you need to dispose of a broken window take the lead to your local non-ferrous metal recycler or hazmat site. The wrapped glass should be safe in the garbage.
Make Your Art Safe
The Bullseye Glass Resource Center teaches how to use coldworking equipment safely March 3-4 in Portland OR.
  • Remove sharp edges by coldworking. Even a simple diamond pad can do a lot. Tumbling glass scrap or mosaic pieces for 6 to 8 hours in water with no grit dulls sharp edges without dulling the glass (a rubber tumbler drum makes the process quieter).
  • Anneal your work properly to protect yourself and others from spontaneous breakage. If you aren't sure how to do this, please take a class. Fusers can see the tables at BullseyeGlass.com and System96.com
  • Design for the real world stresses. For larger projects consult a local architectural engineer or ask an experienced local studio or Bullseye Studio in Portland for a recommendation or assistance.
  • Inform your customer of proper mounting, care and safe handling (see above).
Is it safe for food?  For ordinary clear glass, definitely yes. The primary risk with some art glass is metal ions, like lead or cadmium which are used to increase brilliance or color in the glass, leaching into acidic foods. Such leaching takes a very, very long time at normal temperatures and pressures. Even old lead crystal decanters and glasses are considered safe for occasional use, but not recommended for long-term storage of acidic liquids like wine.
I don't worry about dry foods like crackers and nuts or a few days of contact with acidics like fruit sauce or yogurt but telling you that my bowl is safe to use with food requires certified testing (or legal risk). 
Glass lace from a class with Steph Mader, capped with clear and slumped
The Bullseye Glass Company has had lots of testing done and their findings imply that in general, if capped with clear glass and created by normal fusing processes, even glass colored with toxic metals like lead and cadmium should be safe for occasional food use. However, because artists' processes vary, no one can assure you that a specific piece of glass art is food safe without having that piece tested. Getting the piece back from the lab intact is uncertain so expecting such testing on one-of-a-kind glass art is generally unreasonable. If the artist stammers when you ask "is it food safe", you now know why.
Studio Safety
 
This isn't just about you: you don't want your child or pet crawling around in glass dust or your studio-mate getting treated for heavy metal poisoning.

The safety pages at Bullseye Glass, King County, and Gregory Glass are recommended reading. These and many friends have all been helpful in generating the tips below. If you live in King County WA you can even request a studio visit and maybe even get financial help in making your studio safer (the studio fume extractor shown below was the result of this program). If anyone knows of similar programs in their county, please post them to our moderated Facebook page.
Keep your studio visitors safe as well as yourself (Mattie and Violet visit Glass Expressions).
GENERAL
  • If dealing with powders, grinding dust and other material you want to keep out of your living space: change clothes or at least wear an apron you can remove. You may even want to change shoes.
  • HIS Glassworks, source of glass-focused coldworking and safety equipment (see coupon), stresses the importance of cleanable surfaces and floor in your coldworking area. Use water in your equipment so dust doesn't become airborne. Instead of sweeping away dust, use a vacuum with HEPA filtration and then wet mop.
  • Keep things out of the drain: not only is it bad for the environment, it costs a lot to have the plumber remove the plug of dust, CMC etc.. Let the excess water dry and then seal the remainder in air-tight plastic. Put this in the garbage or take to a hazmat site as appropriate.
Bridget Culligan's Sentry Air Systems fume extractor helps keep soldering fumes from filling her studio while she restores a customer's glass kaleidoscope.
  • Good ventilation is essential: at least use a fan and open window when soldering, fuming glass etc. Better yet, trap the dust and fumes. Vent your kiln, especially if you work where you live. You don't want the fumes and kiln burn-off of toxic materials throughout your living space (or in your garden).
  • Keep flammables away from around your kiln, torch etc.
  • If you have a runway kiln or other high voltage equipment, turn it off at the breaker rather than trying to pull the plug. Kiln owners horrified by the photo: Don't turn it on and leave, especially if you have an older digital controller. Newer models have more safety features.  Seattle Pottery Supply recommends replacing your glass kiln's thermocouple  every 100 firings or so (about $25; you only need a screwdriver). Mercury relays, which aren't prone to welding themselves "on", may be worth the added expense when you get a new kiln. You can even replace the relays in your current kiln  (note that Seattle Pottery Supply does kiln service calls throughout the area and not just on their own models).
  • Check that your homeowners insurance policy will cover your damage if you have a fire due to your kiln, torch, glory hole etc., especially if you sell your work (many specifically exclude this).
  • Learn how your equipment works, how to properly maintain it, replace worn belts and other parts. Learn what to check each time before you turn it on. Read the manual, take a class, watch the videos, ask questions. Better to be safe than sorry.
Yes, those are melted quartz tubes. Even if you do everything right, things happen.
EYES
  • Goggles keep glass dust and flying shards out of your eyes and you out of the emergency room. Side shields are especially important during classes where glass fragments may be coming from many directions.
  • Lampworkers should use didymium glasses for eye protection but those don't keep out the infrared of glowing glass at fusing and blowing temperatures. For that use welders' goggles (ANSI shade 1.7 lenses) or risk cataracts .
NOSE (and lungs)
  • Wear an appropriate respirator when working with powdered glass, plaster, silica etc. The canister type works even if you have a beard.
MOUTH
  • Food and glass don't mix: shards fall into food and drink unnoticed. There are lots of toxic materials you want to keep out of your mouth.
  • Wash your hands before putting them anywhere near your mouth or on something (cell phone, cigarette...?) that might go near your mouth. NOTE: Of the stained glass workers I know, only those who smoke (and all of those) have needed treatment for lead-poisoning at least once.
Debbie Patana will be wearing the proper gear for dealing with powdered glass when Inspirations hosts Warren Norgard's mandela making class in Chinook WA this March.
EARS
  • Wear hearing protection around noisy equipment like grinders and saws or risk needing hearing aids as you get older. You can't go back in time and tell your younger self to pay attention but in a way --we've-- just warned this younger you now.
HANDS
  • Wear the appropriate gloves for the heat, ground glass, chemicals etc. Plaster can cause chemical burns. Ground glass in CMC/powder paste can make small cuts that makes the pickle juice really sting later when you're fixing lunch.
  • Get a bench brush instead of sweeping the shards off your cutting area with the side of your hand.
  • Wash them frequently: See "MOUTH"
Glass Expressions advises using hearing protection when at the grinder
BODY:
  • NW Art Glass contributes that long pants, fully closed shoes, gloves, and eye protection should be worn when shopping in a glass warehouse.  Protecting your legs and feet is good practice in any case.
  • Inspect and carry glass sheets vertically to avoid the sheet shattering.
  • Avoid synthetic clothes when working around hot glass. They may melt to your skin. Cotton or linen is much safer (Rayon is chemically equivalent to cotton and might be OK).
  • Turn off your kiln before you open it for combing etc. so you don't risk electric shock.
  • Tie back your hair and secure loose clothing when working with most equipment, especially torches, grinders, saws and drills.
Relevant videos from humorist Anthony Scala for a lighter take:
An idiot's guide to coldworking
An idiot's guide to glass blowing
NEXT ISSUE: "Glass Tips and Tricks". Get your 15 seconds of fame and help everyone make better glass by sending us images of your favorite glass tips and tricks.
FriendsInGlass (you know what) gmail.com
We've simplified the Classes/Resources page. If you offer classes (or want to help someone who does) please see if I have you listed/linked correctly. If you have a specific class coming up please post it to our moderated Facebook page.
Karen Seymour, Editor

What's New?

Kathy Johnson's fused moon and owl with her custom made metal frame
(yes, she teaches classes).
Fred Buxton's "Windswept" fused landscape (yes, he teaches classes)
Gina Mitchel's Piano Bar opens up to store bottles, glasses etc. (Reception for her show at the Bayview Cash Store, Langly WA is March 10, 5:30 to 7pm)

How'd They Do That?

Richard LaLonde has been making colorful glass and teaching his liquid glass line technique for many years. He offers a detailed  explanation plus CMC goop instructions on his website . Better yet, take a workshop or buy one of his books. He cautions you to be sure to wear a proper dust mask (NIOSH 90) for frit work.
(mouse-over the image to play it)

 Announcements & Events

Now until April 8: Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue WA
                  Making Our Mark, art by Pratt teaching artists

Jan 20 Whidbey Glass Artists Meet and Greet, LaLonde Studio, Freeland WA
           (email Gina Michel at 1shopcat (add symbol) gmail.com for details)

Feb. 7-11 NW Flower and Garden Show, Seattle WA
Feb. 12 Artists application deadline for Schack Juried show, Everett WA
               (Show is March 8 - April 14)
Feb. 13-17 Bullseye Glass Resource Center winter sale Portland OR
Feb. 23 Artists application deadline for Bulleye Emerge, Portland OR
               (Show starts June 23rd)
Feb. 26 Artists application deadline Bellevue Arts Museum Biennial, WA                (Show starts Nov. 9th)

March 24-25 Best of the NW, Seattle WA
Island Art Glass will be at both the NW Flower and Garden Show and The Best of the NW in Seattle. Go to either or both shows and see lots of great glass.
Your favorite glassy event isn't here? Send us a note or post it to our moderated Facebook page.
You sell/teach glass art and you're not in our Gallery? It's free. Without you and your other glass friends our database isn't nearly as useful to the the Pacific NW glass community. We want a photo of yourself at work for the artist directory and 3 images of your art for the gallery plus a bit more info. so prospective buyers, galleries, students etc. can contact you.

FriendsInGlass (you know the symbol) gmail.com or (206) 525-1577
Thanks!
Karen Seymour
Friends In Glass Winter 2018 Coupon         
Expires February 28, 2018
Safe With Glass: 10% off *
of full retail price on named items from any of these participating organizations
NOT VALID WITHOUT SUBSCRIBER CODE
NW Art Glass, Redmond WA: 10% off safety-related items
Bullseye Glass Resource Center, Portland OR (only): 10% off introductory classes
HIS Glassworks, Asheville, NC: 10% off safety-related items (Diamond Life aprons excluded)
Seattle Pottery Supply, Seattle WA, 10% off electric kiln heating elements
Western Safety Products, Seattle WA, 10% off safety gear
Fume Trap™ at NW Art Glass
*The fine print: Coupon can be used only once with any given organization/artist. One size can’t possibly fit all: due to contracts, special agreements etc. the participating organization/artist reserves the right to exempt any particular item from the coupon. Please inquire before attempting to redeem the coupon. Coupon is not transferable, can not be combined with any other discount and has no monetary value.
Want a bit of free publicity? Consider supporting our efforts by offering our subscribers a 10% discount in a future issue.
Thank you to all those who have done so!
Copyright Friends In Glass 2018 -- All Images are used by permission and those copyrights are retained by the artists
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