Service & Orders - Emerald Artworks and Glass Designs, by Mary Hunt

Services
Mary Hunt • 605-680-0565

Emerald Artworks and Glass
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SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

I work closely with my clients, guiding them through each step of the design process.
Through a variety of techniques, we choose the right application for their project, all the while enhancing their vision.
After the initial consultation, back in the studio I begin drafting a basic design.

Once I am ready for a presentation, I invite the clients in for changes and approval. Then move forward with a final sketch. The final sketch is more detailed, to the correct scale and colored appropriately for the chosen glass. A final meeting determines that everything meets their vision.

I order the glass and the crate is delivered to my studio. Depending on glass availability, this can take up to 6 weeks. Upon delivery of the glass and supplies, I will invite the clients back to the studio to see the uncrated choices, and then we begin.

Every step of the project involves a magical transformation. I encourage my clients to visit often so they can watch the evolution and learn about the processes involved.

I consider part of the “job” is teaching about the varied techniques and helping the client sort out the process. Understanding the process helps them be comfortable with the time line.

Staining and Enameling

I use the ‘Old Master’s Style’ of painting glass. Let us visit the process for using Vitreous Stains and Enamels. The chemicals and glass chips alter the chemistry of a sheet of glass. The firing process requires high temperatures of a kiln. Experts knowledge of the entire process, will allow the glass to anneal properly and survive. The matting process dramatically enhances figures, faces or scenes. Enameling the design will add color. By firing the painted glass in a kiln at high temperatures, the "paints" become part of the glass. Prime examples of this technique can be seen in many church windows. Staining and enameling create depth of color and texture as no other techniques can.

Vitreous Staining and Enameling is in no way similar to any of the newer paints for glass that decorate the surface of the glass. As these are heat treated, they are still just on the surface of the glass. Vitreous Stains become new glass.

I use this same technique for creating tile murals. Fusing glass with the design 'painted' on and fired in the kiln. The design is broken into tessarae for a mosaic. Alternatively, squares of glass, in any size, are given a design and fired in the kiln, making up one unit.
The application to walls and countertops or floors, is the same as that of ceramics. Mixing mediums create an even more stunning one of a kind creation, leaving a unique statement of style.

Fused and Slumping

Knowledge of glass and the chemistry of each manufacture are necessary when using fusing techniques.
Fusing is the process of "melting” glass to create a design using a kiln. High temperatures of the kiln make the different pieces of glass into one piece. Varying the temperature can give this technique different looks for the finished pieces.

A fused piece can become part of the design in a window panel or as a tile. Alternatively, the piece can become a decorative statement, as wall or table art. Typically, I frame these pieces in a metal that enhances the color of the design.

Creating vessels and platters from the fused slab is slumping or sagging. Making bowls, vases and platters.

I will incorporate several techniques together and give these pieces a more stunning result.
The use of sandblasting can give an ethereal glow once fired again. Alternatively, the design left unfired shows a totally different look.
Painting the design on the glass and firing it has an appeal for in-depth design and minute detail.
No matter what technique is incorporated, once the vessel is a bowl, vase or platter it becomes worthy for any distinguished collection.

Blasting

Blasting or etching glass has many uses, from simple lettering to intricate scenes. Etched glass is wonderful for creating privacy while still allowing diffused light into a room. Blasting glass has a technical range from a soft shading, to deeply carve dimensional etchings.
Custom etched front doors, offer privacy, in addition to the clients’ signature of design. Room dividers allow for a visual separation of space, and allow the light to diffuse the room softly.

Etched glass offers a ‘tooth to the glass’ that allows for coloring, using pastel chalk or oil paints. When the color is sealed, the color will hold. Color offers another layer used for dramatic effect.
A dramatic bold statement is gold leafing the blasted design. That is sure to add a significant level of style.

Glass or stone tables, countertops and back-splash areas, can enjoy a clean line of design through blasting. Custom cabinetry with a subtle blast will lend a light clean effect and still offer the privacy for their contents.

Custom blasting encompasses original design from my general sketch or I can use a customer’s photograph to gain imagery for blasting the intended surface. Be that glass, mirror, ceramic or stone.

Mosaics and Tiles

What I love about mosaic style is the simplicity of its artistic statement. The design ranges from a simple color graduation to the ornate intricate pattern.
A mosaic will bring life to any space.
Outside, mosaics add character or playfulness to the deck walls, as a mural or as hanging art plaques. Tabletops and chairs can be dressed in mosaic as well. Water features especially enjoy showing a mosaic design.
Inside, the mosaic uses do not stop in the bathroom and kitchen.
Taking mosaic through the architecture helps showcase features. Such as a fireplace hearth and mantle becoming a focal point of distinction.
Open the doorways and window with flare. No space is safe from mosaic.

Designing a mosaic has a vast range for choice in project development.
Which materials will take part in the design?
What techniques will enhance the design?
Which shape of tile will make up the design?

Tile pieces or tesserae can follow one size pattern of small to large squares. Alternatively, they have random shapes and sizes of irregularity. In addition to choosing one or the other shape, using both styles become distinctive elements or will feature areas of the design.

Incorporating a mix of techniques allows for endless possibilities in design range.
Choosing a uniform color palette as a backdrop, then highlighting a central design theme using vitreous stains, will keep a mosaic simple, elegant and still offer personal style.
Matting an overall design using vitreous stains is a dramatic display of style.
For a 3-D effect fuse several layers of glass and set a cohesive design throughout the space.
Blasting, when used as a designing feature, will lend a softer feel in the style.

Mosaic or tile design provides a one-of-a-kind appeal for the clients’ sense of style. Whatever the mosaic pattern or mural, it is sure to bring the audience pleasure.

Custom Windows and Lamps

Custom glass windows, doors and lamps express the individual client’s character as well as, set a particular style or era. There are two different techniques used when building flat panels of glass. The traditional leaded window or a newer version called copper foiled. Neither is better than the other is. Copper foil technique adapts easier to the pattern allowing for a more intricate design element.
Building pieced lampshades use the copper foil technique, as of the Louis Tiffany style.
Flat sheets of glass framed with metal will build a simple lamp in the arts and crafts style. Flat panel lamps can also be enhanced with stain and enamel gaining a personal style element.
Stain and enamels are essential for creating reverse painted lampshades.
This is a labor-intensive process, when using traditional techniques.

Manufacturers of glass offer a variety of texture and pattern with color and without.
Staining techniques can enhance the manufactured colored glass, as well as become the design element entirely of clear glass. We can look to church windows for studying the difference in these examples.

Beveled glass pieces add a sparkle of sophistication. Frequently, bevels are the central design focus, as a cluster; they are also the framing for designs. A grandeur appeal is using an all over bevel design.
Manufactured bevels now offer a few colors and some textures. In addition to the traditional clear. There is a plethora of clusters to choose from for design.

My designs for windows, door panels and lampshades are limitless. They are original, an expression of art incorporating the client’s vision through my hand.
Photographs are a good source for visual information, to use as design inspiration.

Original Canvas Artwork

Using oils, acrylics, chalk, and charcoal, I will render a landscape, seascape, or scene. Using a personal clear photograph, I will produce a fine replica of your favored animal or pet, as well as a family member, in portrait style.

I have also applied faux painting techniques to create murals on large sheets of canvas. This application has many uses.

Using canvas-covered plaques with a sealer applied will help to protect the artwork from the elements. They are great additions for the outside “room”.

Additional Artwork Gallery Category

Kiln formed vessels are statements of art in their own right. They are in galleries, some of the show events, and on occasion, become permanent to a museum collection. A challenge for many collectors is to give a piece as a gift.

Random themes denoting panels of glass art are pieces worth collecting. The glasses I use in non-commissioned pieces are usually rare examples of blown and hand manipulated glass not available in abundance.

Gifting treasure are mostly small pieces. Boxes, small dishes, candle-housing vessels usually decorated in an array of techniques to bring pleasure to the recipient.

An item that most always brings pleasure is a piece of jewelry. Be the piece of strung glass and gem beads or apiece cast and sculpted from pure silver clay.

You can find ready-made items such as these examples in local galleries and gift shops.
Alternatively, special orders are accepted.

Currently in SD:

The Creamery on Main St. in Platte, SD

WWW.madeinsouthdakota.com

To see the extensive range of Mary's work
visit the "Virtual Gallery" on this site.

For more information, feel free to call Mary at (605) 680-0565 or contact us by e-mail through our 'Contact Us Form' to make an appointment to drop by her studio, or for consideration to have her work in your studio.
Please request a current portfolio.