Twenty to Make: Glass Painted Projects

June 09

Glass painting as a hobby has been around for quite a long time now, and it is easy to see its appeal just by looking at this book. Unlike many other crafts, it can tie in with a range of other craft hobbies. Card making, Chistmas decorations, decorating a variety of domestic objects and gift packaging are the ones covered in here and there are many others. Knowing how to use the glass paints to their best advantage and what techniques can be done with them apart from straight painting are vital, and are covered here. There is a brief section at the front describing the two types of glass paints and what else you need to obtain to use with them, as well as a short explanation of how to do three techniques. These are expanded on in the projects themselves, and these are indeed diverse. Make some fairies for your holiday decorating, paint a box for a gift, make cards and bookmarks, pictures, fridge magnets, lamps, frames and of course decorate glassware. Just like the other titles in this series each of the twenty projects also has another idea on the same page, making it up to forty. Nor are only paints and outliners used; have a go at using them in conjunction with beads, sequins, buttons, fancy backing papers and textured surfaces for some surprisingly different results. There is a lot in here for a small book, and I found that I learned a lot I didn't know through reading through (and working through) the projects that larger books didn't contain. One of the strongest entries in a good series.

July/Aug 09

In this smashing book, July Balchin takes readers through the mysteries of this technique. Experienced glass painters will be delighted to find a new selection of projects while beginners and the less experienced will find the step-by-step layout a great help. Judy offers you the opportunity to work a fridge magnet, cards, wine glasses, pictures, frames, bottles, candles and even a lamp, and many of the designs can be adapted for a variety of glass objects. If you want to dust down your brushes or fancy something new, this is a great way to start.

Judy Balchin studied art at Cardiff College of Art. Following this, she specialised in graphic design at Kent Institute of Art and Design in Maidstone.
After working as a graphics assistant at the BBC Television Centre, she joined Adverkit International Ltd as a lettering artist. This began her love affair with letters, producing book jackets, advertising logos and television titles over many years. During this time, she also became involved in the craft world.

She has appeared on television, worked as a craft demonstrator, designed craft kits and run workshops. She has produced more than twenty books on various crafts and is the author of many articles for craft magazines. She continues to enjoy her creative world and is currently working on her latest book.