I'm so impressed with all the stuff you guys make that I want to impress myself too. I can't sew - got a C in home ec and that was because my sister finished my sewing project. I took a class after I was married and dropped out. I can't sew. Anyway I know what I want to make. A wind chime out of glass. It doesn't really chime but it sounds pretty. In Charleston several years ago at the market a man was selling these homemade chimes and I bought several. I've gone back every year and bought more and given them as gifts. Now he's died. They are so delicate. He used small, thin pieces of glass. My camera broke again this afternoon or I'd take a picture. It's on a thin chain that you use to hang it, with a decorative wire that spirals like a spiral stair case. The pieces of glass are hung from the wire decoration on the spiral. My problem is I don't know where to start. Where can I buy supplies such as this. I've been to Michaels and it's mostly flower stuff.
You might check out Hobby Lobby, if you have one. They have a little of everything. Those sound so cool. If your camera ever gets to working, I'd love to see a pic!
There is a Hobby Lobby in Charlotte. I'll check it out. We're spendning more on fixing my camera lately than it would cost to buy a new one. I might have to break down and do just that. Thanks.
I'm trying to figure how you can keep a glass chime from breaking. It must be an indoor thing?
Nope, they hang outside. The last one I have has taken a beating. After a while the wind does cause the fishing line (I think) to break but the glass doesn't until it hits the ground. My daughter has kept hers close to her house and it's in good shape and she's had it 4 or 5 years.
I think I've seen something similiar around here. Except the ones I've seen have something akin to very, very pretty balls slightly larger than marbles and the spiral silver stuff goes around the ball to hold it. Cameras can be such a pain, lol.
i have a wind chime that is glass bells strung in a circle, spiral style, at different lengths on fishing line. they have broken, but mostly from my fault.
i think that would be great fun! i have been experimenting with glass, beads, and wire myself. somewhere on this forum is a question i posted about drilling glass. i got a friend to buy me a drill bit....it was not a diamond bit which i found out does not last! i got all of 3 holes drilled before it would not go anymore!
SO, even if it says "for glass and tile", don't waste your money or time with it UNLESS it is a DIAMOND DRILL BIT.
oh yeah, i was making little suncatchers with pieces of beach glass, which you can get at walmart. if you have a JoAnns, they have great craft stuff!
a drill bit??? a torch???? Good grief. Maybe I'm not crafty after all. I was beginning to wonder how he got the fishing line through the glass to hang it. These aren't stained glass. They're colored glass. Thanks for the tips.
Last edited by Bestofour; Aug 20th, 2007 at 02:56 PM. Reason: cuz I'm nuts
Sheri, if you have one available, try your local parks and recreation department. Some cities/counties have wonderful centers where you can take classes in all kinds of arts. I've taken jewlery classes, torches, tools and teacher available for a small fee. Also taken pottery, which I loved! We (the 'girls' 4 best friends :~)) have taken stained glass classes at a local shop. It was great! We've all made some really lovely things. The kalidescope was one of my favorite. Tons of supplies available online, but if you can find a relatively local shop, it's so much better; again tools and an insturctor to learn with before you invest in a grinder or a saw.
Good luck! I know you'll love being able to express yourself artistically!
the guy at lowe's the other day said that is what people do....i never even thought of that!
they did not have a diamond bit, but he sold me one that people use for that. he also said dip the tip in milk, he said it works better than water. i tried it, can't tell much difference than the water!
i have been "trying" to do suncatchers out of beach glass, but unless i find a REAL bit, i am going to nix that idea.....it is taking me around 15 to 20 minutes for 1 stinking hole....i am not very patient! i have only done 5 right now. i did try it on seashells, that drills quick, i made a cute hangie thingie from it and dangled beads from the holes. let me know if you have better luck!
i posted some pics in latest projects, but was not sure you would go there. here is what i have been drilling...i only made 2 things with the beach glass, they just take toooooo long to drill....but the shells are easy! have you had any success yet? oh yeah, dipping the bit in milk DOES work better than water! don't know why though!
I used to work with glass when I lived near a stained glass craftsman. Then I moved and couldn't find one. Then I moved again and now I live near one and I've been thinking of starting again. I still have some of my original designs.
Merme
We were given two hands to hold, two eyes to see, two ears to listen & two legs to walk. But why were we given only one heart? The other heart was given to another for us to find.
Thats the best time Tamara, snowing out, cozy fire & blanket, kittys curled up purring, tea and whatever craft, or a good book, all curled up in a comfy chair..... almost makes me want a snow storm. Almost.
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