There are some very exciting developments at Thistle Glass! Watch below for the links to pertinent pages on my website to get the full story, complete with finished bottles ready to gift!
Go green, let’s recycle!
 Whether you want to commemorate that special occasion, or offer your brand in the tasting room, now you can feature your own label art on bottles you provide. I seal the labels with a clear coat guaranteed food safe, non-toxic and waterproof. This special label coating with a food safe guarantee is not offered anywhere else! The label coating looks absolutely gorgeous, and I am proud to be the first to offer it. Click here to see my current bottle art.
 Contact me for more information. Wholesale pricing is available for large volume orders.
Learn more about the bottle recycling process in my Blog.
Process: fused and slumped with a curved neck, creating a very comfortable handle.

The fine print: There are clear bump feet on the bottom to protect your surfaces. Each recycled bottle has been properly annealed in a kiln for added strength and durability. Please do not cut or use utensils on the surface as it may become permanently scratched. Hand wash only with non-abrasives, and avoid getting water into the bottle opening.

The Dawn Series

Dawn: the beginning of a shiny new day…..My tests are complete. Over 10 years of research, studies and kiln tests, at long last I have the miracle breakthrough I was looking for.
Over a decade ago, I brought my years of glass experience to work for a company that hand-painted (Verre Eglomise) the back of glass and sealed it with powder coat. Their powder coat application was not tested according to well-established fused glass testing methods. My job was to develop new techniques and designs for them to sell around the globe.
In my off time, I developed my ideas further but was still bothered by the mystery… HOW do I combine the Verre Eglomise techniques and achieve similar effects in fused glass?  I had a driving need to apply my hand-painting techniques to traditional fused glass.
Traditional fused glass involves GLASS, front and back, and the design elements are completely encased within the melted glass and impervious to water. Fused glass is more time-consuming and costly to produce, but with proper care you have a piece that will last generations.

 The challenge was to find similar materials that could withstand the additional 1000 degrees necessary for fused glass. Everything I tried burned out or disintegrated. Fast forward through many years of failed tests and do-overs, I finally found the right combination to join my hand-painting techniques with traditional fused glass.
Now I can share them with you, fully confident that this glass is of sound construction and excellent quality.
After Words: Being self-taught, I recently learned this hand-painting technique has a name! “Verre Eglomise” means to reverse paint, or engrave on glass and occasionally gild with metal leaf. This entertains me because in my late teens and early 20′s, I reverse engraved glass and then painted the engraving. I did that for a living for 6 years. If I count that experience, I’ve been working with glass much longer than my stated 1991 beginnings.
All of the pieces in this Limited Edition Series have been sold.

Here are some photos of my former work sealed with powder coat. I will never employ the powder coat method again, but you may see how some of my older designs influence my future works in glass.

Howard Creek Ranch Project

The journey began with a beautiful trip to the California coast. My husband found us a lovely, rustic place to stay called Howard Creek Ranch. Our cabin was built around a boat washed ashore. Later, we learned that the owner, Sunny, did all the building and renovation of this Ranch himself with very little help. It is a huge place with a labor of love evident in every corner.

While walking out to the ocean from our boat house one day, we stumbled upon a pile of old glass on a pallet nestled under some berry bushes. How fun, this is kismet I tell you.

The story of the glass and what I could learn from Sunny:

This glass was imported from Italy around 1870. In 1870 Italian Stained Glass was made via the sand casting method. Sunny was travelling one day and noticed a bulldozer tearing down an old church, so he pulled over to take a closer look. Then is when he discovered they were bulldozing a pile of demo’d stained glass windows.  These windows were said to be 12 feet tall in their full glory.

Sunny stopped the dozer and while the driver protested, Sunny asked him to look the other way and salvaged as much glass as he could fit into his truck. Currently, some of the pieces Sunny rescued and patched together are hanging around he and Sally’s Bed and Breakfast Ranch. While talking with Sunny about the glass, he asked if I would like to use what was under the berry bushes. Of course, it is my honor to play with that glass. Sunny then said, “I knew the right person would come along.” I sniffle now in gratitude for the opportunity to re-work this glass into some new pieces for Sunny and Sally’s B & B Ranch. The very thought of becoming a small part of the Ranch experience in all of it’s peaceful splendor is my pleasure indeed. Enjoy these photos and the progress as it happens. This is going to take some thought-filled time, but I will add more pictures as I progress. Much love to Sunny and Sally for rescuing a bit of history, xoxo. ~Michelle

7-24-12 Update: The journey continues….I completed my first panel (shown below) and I am getting ready to make panel lamp shades next. In the first panel, my goal was to honor the original craftsmanship by not grinding the edges of each piece. Note the thicker and thinner lines. The glass pieces are all rough-cut (and not ground) so they previously fit into lead channels, which disguises the edges. My work is copper foil, so I did solder fill to compensate where the lead used to be. The first panel is the only unbroken portion from the original cross design (see photo 7). I wanted to preserve it. The remaining glass will be cut and re-worked into completely different pieces.

 There is writing on it: “Gift of Frank”.

Stained Glass Lighthouse

This lighthouse represents a sentimental journey filled with life-lessons about nature, perseverance and finding one’s true self. A traditional family journey commemorated in stained glass.

  -The original photo blown up into a working photo.

  -The cartoon rendering so I can select glass and start cutting.

  -Glass has been cut, ground, and is ready to foil.
   -Foiled and ready to solder.
   -Soldered and ready for finishing work.
   -The Lighthouse is complete.  -Soon to be installed in a light box beside a front door.
  -Window is installed! 

Fused Glass Magnet Sets $15.00!

Assorted Lampwork Beads

Lampwork Glass Beads....all available at http://www.thistleglass.com/ Bead Sets are 30.00 each!

~Glass Shop News~

Announcing my new Fused Glass Pendants
section at http://www.ThistleGlass.com !
Check it out to see 50 new pieces.