The Delphi Blog

At the height of an undefeated season for MSU (and a big win over University of Michigan) Delphi’s new Licensed Pre-cut Glass Emblems  couldn’t come at a better time.  For the past 38 years, the Lansing-based company has supplied glass artists with high quality art glass supplies and education. But they haven’t been able to offer pre-cut glass mascots and logos until now. These exclusive pre-cuts are designed to make it easy for people, even those with no previous art glass experience, to create MSU-themed projects like garden stepping stones, serving platters, wall art and fashion accessories. Delphi currently carries two designs, the MSU Spartan “S” logo and Spartan Helmet mascot emblem. Sizes range from 1/2 inch to 6 inches. Pre-cuts are available in either aventurine green, a dark green with metallic sparkle, or solid white. Both colors are lead-free and food safe. All glass is tested 96 COE compatible for fusing. Pre-cuts are made using a high-powered water saw allowing for precision detail, including interior cuts that would be impossible to do by hand. “We are very excited about our new line of licensed collegiate p

This is the perfect time of year to spend some time outside . If you enjoy your garden and outdoor spaces, try making some fun wind chimes with your old wine bottles. Wine bottles are very sturdy, they will last a long time in the elements. The echo of sunlight through the glass is beautiful. You can use a single color of wine bottle in your chimes or mix it up with blue, clear or green. Add beads and some wire or colorful string to dress them up a bit. Try your hand at creating your own garden art and enjoy the music. This video tutorial explains how to make these beautiful wind chimes. Post and video courtesy of Cindy Shepard and Design Originals. For more great bottle art ideas, check out the Bottle Art book.

Heres how to safely connect your torch to the work table. 1. Collect the hardware. Youll need an L-bracket, one or two large adjustable hose clamps (big enough to fit around the Map gas tank) and a C-clamp (if you dont want to screw into your work surface). 2. Attach the L bracket . Screw the bracket directly into the table on the surface. If you prefer not to screw directly into the table, you can use a C-clamp to secure the bracket. Make sure it is tight enough to keep the bracket from slipping. 3. Secure the tank with hose clamps. Place both large adjustable hose clamps behind the vertical leg of the L-bracket before screwing the L-bracket to the table front. Place the MAPP gas into the hose clamps and turn the screws until the clamps are snug around the MAPP gas cylinder. Using two clamps will prevent the MAPP gas tank from tipping. Reprinted with permission from Stained Glass News. All Rights Reserved.

When I found Cindy Jenkins book Making Glass Beads back in 1998, I was immediately hooked on the idea of making glass beads. Id never seen handmade glass beads nor had I ever seen anyone make one. I was absolutely fascinated and I still am! Back then, the information was tough to find, but its much more popular now. I hope the following information will ease you into the fun world of making your own glass beads. Glass beadmaking is probably one of the easiest mediums to get started in when it comes to the tools and equipment you will need. Lets start by looking at the basic equipment: Torch A good beginning torch is the Hot Head Torch which was made specifically for beadmaking. It burns hot and clean and runs off of a small MAPP gas tank (see description below). Work Surface Find an old table or desk. Youll want to cover the work area with a nonflammable surface. You can use a cookie sheet, a sheet of stainless steel, or a ceramic or marble tile to top your work area. Connector for Torch To connect the torch to the work surface, you will need an L bracket and two large adjustable hose clamps (to fit the diameter of the Mapp gas tank and connect the tank to

Twelve years ago Arlene saw an ad for a two-week workshop on stained glass. Arlene Wright-Correll and her husband Carl Correll had just retired from 43 successful years in business, the last 7 spent building and then running their own B&B and campgrounds on the Appalachian Trail. When Arlene approached her husband about taking the class together, Carl thought she was crazy -- he couldn't even cut glass. But being the good husband he was, he went along with her idea and became what Arlene affectionately calls, the "Stained Glass Frankenstein Monster". For 12 years now, Carl has created and taught the art of stained glass. The couple began Avalon Stained Glass School & Creativity Center in December 1998. Between the two of them (currently ages 75 and 77), Arlene and Carl teach approximately 22 workshops in stained glass, leaded glass, etched glass, fused glass and all kinds of art classes. In addition, they teach "Budding Young Artists" workshops for kids 6 to 12 years old. They also do free demonstrations on stained glass, water color painting and scratch art at various festivals throughout the year. Besides running the store and teaching, the couple also

One of my favorite memories growing up in Northern Wisconsin was our annual family Thanksgiving Day dinner. With lingering aromas from the kitchen, waiting to see cousins that I hadnt seen for several months, and the anticipation of who breaks the wishbone, the day seemed magical. Each year it seemed we created new family traditions, and our Delphi Family would like to suggest some traditions your family can start: 1. For a fun accent piece for the holiday table, try slumping brown or green bottles as a side dish. The size is perfect to serve Aunt Mildreds sweet potato hash or your family favorite. The color will add punch to the table as well. 2. Make it easy to identify whos drink is whos . We like the idea of creating glass beads strung with silver wire and attached to the goblet stem to claim your stake. As a take away gift, these are wonderful and can be used over and over. 3. Surprise your family and relatives by creating your own unique tableware. Using various size plates or serving pieces, solids and patterns will mix and match for a perfect harmonized and stylish look. Let your imagination go wild! 4. Small decorative weights (pumpkins are this season

Ho! For the leaves that eddy down, crumpled yellow and withered brown... Starting aloft to windy ways, telling the coming of bonfire days. - "Bonfire Days" by Grace Strickler Dawson Ginny from Melbourne, Florida wrote us with this question: "Help! I need ideas and suggestions for my front lawn and porch to welcome in the new fall season. It seems every neighbor has great plans except for me. What do you recommend?" We have some really fun, interesting and quick ideas: This season, scarecrows will take center stage. Each one will be unique and make memories and smiles. Simple or elaborate, each will showcase "their" personality. Feeling ambitious? Create a pair or a family. Make the stained glass scarecrow shown above. Download our Free Project Guide by Delphi Artist Julie Haan. Dress up your walkway or your front stoop. As the nights get longer, and dusk comes sooner, luminaries will make a strong visual impact. Go Green: Recycle glass bottles and jars by cutting them with a bottle cutter , use either the tops or bottoms (or mix and match parts) to shelter tea lights or inexpensive votives. They will last for several hours. Find creative ways to deco

I really enjoy stained glass, but after I work on a project for a while, I get stiff and sore. What am I doing wrong? We all enjoy stained glass and most of us find it to be a relaxing hobby. But did you ever finish a project, step back to look at it and realize that your back hurt, or your hands feel tight, or you have a splitting headache? Did you know that many of these symptoms can be avoided by applying a few simple rules of ergonomics. You most likely have heard the word, but did you know that it’s just a fancy way of saying, “fit the task to the person?” There are many ways to accomplish just that, and you’d be surprised how simple it really is. Most people are so intent on what they are doing (enjoying our favorite hobby!) that they don’t pay attention to how they are doing it. Let’s explore some things that you can do to make your glass hobby even more enjoyable. Here are some general guidelines: • Practice correct posture at all times. We know it’s easier said than done, but you’ll feel better and be able to work longer if you do. • Any time you hold or repeat a position for an extended period of ti

Delphi artist and veteran class instructor Julie Hann shares with us her latest Halloween project. This clever spider web bowl was created in the kiln using basic supplies and a bit of imagination. The free step-by-step project guide, first published in Fired Arts & Crafts Magazine, will show you how to make your own spooky spider web bowl. It also includes fusing schedules and a suggested supply list. Many of these products are available at DelphiGlass.com. Buy Supplies from Delphi now, or download the free project guide below. Download Free Project Guide Viewing these downloadable file requires the use of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader or a similar program. If you do not have the reader on your system, you may download Adobe from their website. This project was reprinted with permission from Fired Arts and Crafts Magazine . For more great projects like these, subscribe to FAC!

Any ideas on how to make my home more relaxed and casual? Bring outdoors into your home for a fun, and spirited look. Become adaptive with planters, stands, and iron tables. These items can be as charming and functional as they have been outdoors. Think outside the box, be creative and enjoy your new surroundings. For a quick pick up, we suggest: Iron tables: Perfect next to your bed Place a lamp on the top and place next to your favorite reading chair A great spot for the remote, cell phone or any other electrical gadget Place a larger glass top and have a new breakfast area A smaller table is a welcome addition in any bathroom or dressing area In a foyer, this will set the tone for a casual look. (Place fresh flowers on top) In a dining room, cluster candles on top and eat in candle light In the kitchen, makes a perfect beverage center, lemonade, iced tea etc. Oversized Planters and Pots Place a glass on top and an instant coffee table, perfect for magazines! In the bedroom, place extra bed linens inside In a child's room, a toy catch-all For a large gathering, fill with ice and use as a beverage container Place a large floral and stems

Sometimes necessity is the mother of invention , and sometimes invention comes when you have nothing to lose. Early in my career, I had three metal-clay-and-fused-glass pendants fail in a single day. The glass cabochons simply shattered and fell away from the silver after the pieces were fired because I had neglected to cut an expansion hole underneath the cabochons. Augghh! Lesson learned. But now I was left with three ugly pieces of silver, each with small pieces of glass permanently fused into bizarre locations on the surfacea loss I could not afford. Weeks later, after tryingunsuccessfully to remove the glass, I decided to try fusing glass in patterns onto the surface of the pendants. The results were surprising, and the Stained Glass process was born This technique begins with any fired metal clay with a flat surface. Small shards of fusible glass are then attached to the silver. After cooling, Metal Clay Syringe Type is applied around the glass surface to encase the glass, and the pendant is fired again. The resulting pendant can even be placed in a tumbler without damaging the glass! However, if the glass is not encased with syringe work, the two dissimilar mater