Glass Design Photo

Glass Products

Glass, we anticipate the market requirements and offer glass and glass ware products that define an aura of exclusivity to your home or office decor. Our glass products are developed in an array of stylized patterns as well as in elegant design.

Kiln or oven-formed glass Often referred to as warm glass technique, sheets of glass of any color or thickness can be formed into desired shapes. Tam Glass' kilns are purposefully large to accommodate glass up to 12 ft. X 5 ft. Never random, our kilns are custom made and computer controlled so that all pieces are formed to exact specifications and design demands.

Fused glass Every type and color of glass has its own unique point when it will become a liquid, or conversely, a solid. When fused together, glass of a similar makeup creates a dynamic visual. Understanding this point of chemistry is the juncture of art and science. At Tam Glass, we take pieces of glass that have compatible melting and cooing points and fuse them together into a variety of designs and functions. Fusing takes on a myriad of characteristics and, working with individual pieces, we can fuse glass into layers or merge them together to create specific colors. The thickness of glass used for fusing does not make a difference in the integrity of the piece, although thicker glass will take longer to fuse. Fusing can capture the light bending qualities of glass and offers dynamic variety and intrigue to a once static color.

Slumped glass Slumped glass takes its name from a process that takes flat glass and then, through a combination of heat and bending, molds glass into three-dimensional shapes. A process that dates back to Mesopotamia, slumped glass is a versatile and dynamic process. Slumped glass appears to be embossed with a design on the back, while the front and top remains fluid and smooth. Any color or thickness of glass can be slumped to create unique and individual shapes.

Cast glass Cast glass is produced by melting individual fragments of glass and then pouring the molten glass into a mold. Molds can be a variety of shapes or sizes and colors can be cast together as long as they have compatible melting and cooling points. Thicknesses of cast glass vary from ½ inch to 6 inches.

Sandblasting (etched, carved) Glass of any thickness or color can be sandblasted. Sandblasting as a design element can be remarkable, specific and full of detail, depending on how the process is managed. Sandblasting delivers the same effect as etching - without the use of strong chemicals. Glassworks uses sandblasting to deliver the "etched" look. Sandblasting begins by masking an adhesive on one side of the glass and then either hand cutting a design or plotting specific shapes with a computer generated image. From there, the "mask" is removed and powerful blasts of compressed air shoot fine grains of clean sand directly onto the unmasked areas. This gracefully "clouds" the surface into a pristine, beautifully opaque state. The amount of sand and the strength of the blast are completely controllable. Individual areas can have masks removed incrementally to deliver a "carved" appearance. Carved glass offers added fluidity, texture and shape. Sandblasted areas are more porous than clear glass; therefore sandblasted glass should be sealed.

Glue-chipping A time-honored process that has not changed for a hundred years, glue-chipping delivers an intriguing palette of random textures and designs that give shape and meaning to otherwise neutral glass. Starting with a sandblasted "etched" surface, we cover the glass with heated, liquid glue. As the liquid glue begins to cool, "chips" of glass pull from the surface in random, almost fern-like or ice crystal patterns.

Stained Glass (leaded) Stained glass can be full of color, devoid of color, and everything in-between. To start, a design is drawn to reflect the architecture of the structure. This drawing must be an accurate template of the opening to be filled with the stained glass form. From there, a full cartoon is made for each piece of glass. Then, individual pieces of glass are cut following the lines of the cartoons. These cut pieces are fit together with H-sectioned lead divider bars known as cames. Lead is used for its visual esthetic and as well as its metallurgic "softness" and flexibility. When the glass and cames are put together, the joints are soldered and a putty-based cement is pushed between the panes of glass and the came to make it both air and weather tight. All lead and solder joints are brushed to a uniformed patina. A labor-intensive process that is well worth the result.

Tinting and painting In order to create depth and variety we often tint and back paint glass. These painted and tinted areas can be either large or small and offer designers and architects added variety in color choices and visual texture.

bent glass design

Available in many sizes, shapes and colorsSharp-angle bends up to 90 degrees, radiuses up to 180 degrees, multiple radii, double to triple reverse bends and other compound bendsClear, tinted bronze, gray, green or blue glasses

glass doors

istinctly attractive and extremely functional, Woodfold's Bookcase Door System offers a smart, space-saving option for everything from closets, pantries and wall safes in homes, to private areas and divided rooms in schools, banks and offices. A perfect fit for both residential and commercial applications, it is custom-crafted for strength, able to support up to 500 pounds. Yet, thanks to our heavy-duty roller system, it opens and closes smoothly, quietly and easily. Available in a variety of hardwood veneers, carefully wrapped and palletized for shipment, fully assembled and ready to install, our Bookcase Door is the strong, silent type. Only better looking.

kitchen backsplash

this example of a ceramic tile kitchen backsplash from a French country kitchen, six tiles come together to create the image of a platter of food. That image is then highlighted with accent tiles from the same color family. An additional style of tile has been used along the bottom of the backsplash where it meets the countertop.

Tiny, metallic mosaic tiles transform the backsplash of this serving area, and undercabinet lighting gives it extra sparkle. You can achieve different effects by using different sizes of tiles.

A carefully measured and installed section of backpainted glass will produce a stunning kitchen backsplash in a contemporary setting. Choose a paint color that will complement your kitchen design. This is an ideal spot for an accent color.

Who says you have to tile the entire kitchen backsplash surface?!?! The creator of this kitchen chose to combine colorful tiles with a fun paint technique. Small tiles in groups of three have been randomly adhered to the painted area beneath the upper cabinets. This is definitely a budget-stretcher.

An elegant marble or granite kitchen backsplash can work beautifully with rich wood cabinets. In this example, the lighter tone of the backsplash and countertops create a visual break between the dark upper and lower cabinets.

Dark grey slate tiles provide a contrast to the simple clean lines of the white cabinetry in this modern kitchen design. In addition to the hit of color, the large size and natural finish of these tiles bring much-needed texture to the space.

The monochromatic color scheme of this kitchen is given a lift with a mosaic tile backsplash. Although the colors for the backsplash have been carried over from the rest of the kitchen, the use of small tiles and a random pattern create visual energy.

This is a mural kitchen tile backsplash by Julia Sweda. Custom tile backplash murals can offer a great focal point of artwork in the kitchen while providing the much needed functionality that backsplashes provide.

A carefully measured and installed section of backpainted glass will produce a stunning kitchen backsplash in a contemporary setting. Choose a paint color that will complement your kitchen design. This is an ideal spot for an accent color.

The soft, translucent quality of glass tiles has been combined with simpler ceramic tiles for a unique striping effect in this kitchen backsplash design. Using small amounts of more expensive tiles for accents is a great way to add some oomph to your design without breaking your budget.

glass bottle design

While researching bottles for packaging design projects we often come across great examples of beautiful bottle design solutions. The following visually striking designs (many of which award winners) are good examples of high quality design of bottles.

glass designer

A glass blower/designer is responsible for designing, producing, decorating and finishing pieces of glass ranging from giftware, tableware, exhibition pieces, stained glass windows, mirrors, ornaments and other architectural glass products through to glass equipment used in scientific laboratories.

Most of the work is carried out by small, independent studios, though there are some larger glass manufacturers based in the UK.

The work can be commissioned by individuals, corporate organisations or the public sector. Most blowers/designers will be involved in the whole commission process, from concept to completion.

Glass blowers/designers may also be involved in restoring, renovating and repairing original pieces.

Typical work activities

Depending on the area of specialism, typical work activities may include:

• designing, producing and finishing decorative pieces, including windows, mirrors, lamp bases, ornaments, tableware and sculptures;
• soldering pieces of coloured, painted or enamelled glass;
• using decorative techniques, including engraving, acid-etching, stencilling, and sand or grit blasting;
• restoring, renovating and repairing original pieces;
• working with molten glass (from a furnace) and a blowing iron to produce an infinite range of shapes/forms;
• kiln forming – slumping glass into a mould;
• recycling scraps (cullet) from larger producers;
• selling wares direct, from a studio, shop or gallery;
• networking to establish effective contacts in one's own specialist market;
• utilising photography skills to market products;
• attending training courses to keep abreast of continuous technological, scientific and innovative advances in the industry, and to learn new techniques;
• researching and monitoring the worldwide glass market to ensure products are current, in demand and reasonably priced;
• attending craft fairs and exhibitions;
• giving live demonstrations of production of work before selling;
• producing a catalogue or portfolio of designs for publicity purposes.

For those running their own business, additional tasks may involve:

• applying for grants and awards;
• working with professional associations and membership bodies for local and national artists;
• entering national and international design competitions;
• developing a variety of computing skills, including website development and graphics packages along with desktop publishing for producing publicity materials.