I LOVE reading this forum...there is SO much talent here! I also love seeing all of the pics...they are so awesome and inspirational. I've posted here before but I'm a little slow in finishing my projects. I've got pics of two windows I just finished back to back that I wanted to share. Thank you for sharing all of your pics and ideas....keep them coming because I've learned everything I know from this forum.

My pics: http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa127/Addiesue1966/

Addiesue

The only painting done is on the window frame. The window is cut stain glass glued to the glass window and then grouted.

Flagtruck: When I first started working with glass on glass I watched the forum and noticed several members swore by GE Silicone II so I tried it. I wouldn't use anything else now. It dries clear and with a strong bond. I buy it in the large tubes that have to be used with a caulking gun. Each of my windows you saw took almost a full tube a piece. I usually just squirt a huge glob the size of my fist on a paper plate, sit down in front of my project and generously butter it on with a Popsicle stick. After the pieces dry you have to cut away the parts that have gushed out around the sides so, unfortunately, the cleanup part takes the longest, but well worth it.

Here's some tips I've learned either on this forum, or on my own (probably from desperation...lol) I would like to share with everyone....

SILICONE IN THE GROUT LINES:
After the silicone has dried, I first use a round copper wire brush I bought that fits my drill and go over my entire piece and that removes the silicone stuck to the top of the glass (and it doesn't scratch the glass), and then what's left, I sit down with my exacto knife and tiny little flat head screw drivers and start digging out. If I'm planning to paint the window frame I always paint it first before starting the glass gluing because if I get silicone on it, even if I wipe it off right away, chances are it won't hold the paint very well. One trick I've learned out of desperation tho, rubbing alcohol will take of silicone pretty well if you do it before it dries...including your hands. I always wear thin latex gloves when I silicone just for mess sake but sometimes I get it on the frame/my hands or I have to tear up some glass I just laid. Also, I usually have a mess on the glass and so I like to clean the glass with a paper towel and alcohol before I lay down each new section of color to the project.

THE GROUTING PROCESS:
One other trick I've learned that many probably already know but I didn't. The copper wire brush I mentioned, works GREAT in removing grout from the top of your project. I'm horrible when it comes to the grouting process. I always get scared and start wiping it off before it has time to set up, thus pulling it back out of my grout lines and having to redo it.....AUGHHHH!!...and the MESS, OMG the mess...I hate it! I prefer black grout and I usually have it on the floor, me, my clothes, every cloth I own, and it also ends up staining my finger nails (latex gloves are useless when it comes to the grouting process!) So, this last project, after starting with the same grouting routine and ending up frustrated, I mixed the grout really thin, poured it over the project, sloshed it around with my hands a bit to make sure I broke all the air pockets in my grout lines letting the grout run in to them, and then I walked away and left it alone. I went back and spritzed the top with water twice over a 3 hour period but then left it to dry over night. The next morning my piece was completely covered with hardened grout (kind of scary looking) so I took my drill and wire brush and went over my entire project and it took off the grout perfectly right down even to the glass and didn't pull it out of the grout lines. I worked a little at a time because of the dust, stopping after each section and vacuuming all of the dry grout powder from my piece. I didn't have the mess of trying to wipe the grout off! Once I was done I used my buffer pad and buffed it out and I was done with the grouting process! If you have a drill (or access to hubby's) go to Home Depot and buy a round COPPER wire brush that’s made for a standard drill (around $6.95) and try it on your next project. Remember to wear a fiber mask. When you start to see the dry grout start to fly in to the air stop and vacuum the power up before continuing. I did this inside my shop but it would probably be safer as far as the dust goes, if done outside, and I might try that next time. It was so easy and fast that I don't think I will every go back to the original way.

Hope my hints help someone and thanks again for sharing all of your hints and ideas. I love reading them!

Addiesue

The window with the red birdhouse is mine and is hanging in my bathroom window. The one with the hummingbird is my very first commissioned piece and has been sold (YAAAA!). I'm not doing it for the money but if I can sell one now and then what the heck...it will pay for my habit...some people do crack...I do glass and I don't have to tell you glass ain't cheap! LOL

Addiesue

Someone mentioned having bad silicone one time and that reminded me....I found out that some silicone can go bad at the factory before it even hits the stores. I found this out the hard way. The window you saw with the bird house was the project I found this out with. I had ALL of my pieces glued down and waited for days for the silicone to cure and it never did. It was like vaseline and it never hardened. I jumped on this forum and did some searches and found out some silicone could go bad and I knew I had some....I was sick.....I actually threw up. I finally accepted that it wasn't going to cure and had to pull every piece off, soak it and clean it with alcohol, and then clean my window before I could start reapplying my pieces....It tooK DAYS and DAYS of work!! NOW, I test every tube before I jump in to the main project by running a bead on a paper towel or paper plate and if it's going to set up it will with in an hour or two. That's the only bad experience I've had with GE Silicone II but once is enough. So test your silicone! lol.

http://www.focuztech.com/xcart/3-pc-rotary-wire-brush-set.html

Addiesue

What a grand entrance you have made!!!

Both windows measure 34" x 21". The one with the bird house is mine and is hanging in my bathroom window. The hummingbird window has been sold and is suppose to be picked up tomorrow.

Addiesue

e

I have to thank you both... for having the patience to do this intricate and precise work. It's gives the world beautiful art! I read your technique of grouting, Addiesue... and again... your patience is awesome!

Thanks for sharing!
Katie