Custom Glass Etching: “How’s It Made?”

When people see custom glass etching from Krystal Glass Company for the first time, the first thing they usually say is “Wow, that’s awesome!” Then they wonder out loud, “How’s it made”?

Below we’ll reveal some detail on the custom glass etching process used by 30-year Glass Artist Peter Edward and explain the typical process involved when commissioning a custom art glass creation. Peter Edward has made thousands of clients happy by sharing his gift for designing and creating beautiful custom glass etching for homes, business and yachts. The custom art glass pictured above is illuminated with LED lights and was created for the owners of a new Marlow yacht.

LED illuminated custom glass etching is one of the most popular decorative glass types requested at Krystal Glass Company, a 35 year old art glass company in Pompano Beach, Florida. Every decorative glass and mirror project is a unique one-of-a-kind personal creation as unique as each client is.

Question: What is your first step of the custom glass etching process when working with a client to create a unique piece of art glass?

Peter Edward: My first priority is to gain a full understanding of their use for the art glass and what type they would like to have. I specialize in custom glass etching and offer several varieties of enhancements to that.  What purpose will the art glass serve? What will it accomplish for them- functional or purely decorative? To ensure a beautiful result, we also ask a lot of questions about where the decorative glass or mirror will be located and how it will be displayed. We know how special each project and its investment is to our clients, and I enjoy offering advice to clients and their interior designers during the planning phase.

 

Question: How does this initial consultation generally occur?

Peter Edward:  My office will arrange a consultation for the clients either in person or by phone to understand the scope of the project. Our clients in the South Florida area usually prefer to come into my showroom to talk and look at art, but I work with many clients that are in other areas so telephone consultations are common. Once I have a good understanding of their desires for the art glass and what they like in the design, I begin artwork.  Creating the art for custom glass etching can be quick or very time consuming depending on the complexity and originality of it. I present the artwork for approval as a line drawing on paper. This makes it easy to show artwork to clients in person or online for approval.

 

Question: Once the artwork is approved, what is the next step?

Peter Edward: I transfer the approved art to a rubber stencil material that protects the glass or mirror that will be etched. My original designs are hand cut out of the material. Since some parts will make contact with the abrasive sand used during the custom glass etching process and others will not, some of the material is peeled away to expose the surface that I will etch. My custom glass etching is done with sand carving and sand blasting techniques done by hand with various tools at a very high PSI. I use detailed shading and often times carving on the glass to get a true-to-life look.

Question: Is there anything left to do once the custom glass etching is complete?

Peter Edward: Sometimes clients request paint for highlighting and/or color to add additional beauty to the design. Other pieces are illuminated and framed for hanging. Once the etched and carved glass areas are complete, I peel the protective material off to reveal the entire surface of the glass design. The glass is then cleaned and ready for any final steps in the creation process. Otherwise it is ready for shipping or installation.

Question:Do you offer installation of your art glass?

Peter Edward: Yes, we offer installation if the project is local, and I also travel. We can suggest several attractive, safe ways to display custom glass etching. One popular display of decorative glass is to frame and hang it in a prominent area of the home, business or yacht to serve as a focal point for all to see and enjoy. Another beautiful way to display art glass is to use it as a room divider or a free standing piece.

 

Question: What should someone do if they would like to know more about your custom glass etching process?

Peter Edward: We invite people to look at the wide variety of information and pictures of completed work we have on our website. Phone calls are always welcome so we can answer specific questions, provide a quote or schedule an appointment (954) 973-2998.

 

Peter Edward, president of Krystal Glass Company in Pompano Beach, Florida, is a master glass artist with a 30-year history of custom glass etching for thousands of fine art glass projects done by hand in LED illuminated glass, etched glass, carved glass, painted glass, antique mirror and decorative mirrors. His art glass and mirror grace the luxury homes, yachts and offices of clients in his hometown of South Florida and can be shipped to any location. He is well known for highly detailed etched and carved glass designs rich with multi-shaded areas that he achieves by hand. Call for more information. Peter Edward can be reached at Krystal Glass Company at (954) 973-2998.

 

 

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