CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME
YOU HAVE STUMBLED ACROSS SOME OF THE FINEST
HAND BLOWN AND SCULPTED CRYSTAL IN THE WORLD

SKIP THE INTRO AND TAKE ME TO THE PHOTO'S


ANY QUESTIONS? PLEASE

Email: Wayne Lawrence




A FEW WORDS ABOUT MY ART WORK


  I began my apprenticeship in the Fine Art of Glass Blowing at the age of nine. During the past 46 years, I have developed many of the processes I now use in the manufacture of my crystal products.
  There are but a few lamp work (torch type) glass blowers left in the United States, who work with colored glasses. I am one of them. In the 1970's there were so few that the glass industry here stopped the manufacture of colored glass tubing and rod. We were simply out of luck unless we could track down sources in Italy, Germany, France and other countries.
  After all a clear glass bird is just that, but fashion it from gray, white, and black, and it's a Black Capped Chickadee. To me there is a lot of difference. I vowed to learn to make my own colored glasses, and now have over 800 various colors.



GOLD AND SILVER FUMING


  22K Gold and .999 Fine Silver are turned to vapors in an oxidation or reduction fire and the fumes are imparted to the glass. Producing a beautiful Gold Cranberry or Silver Yellow color respectively. The colors are magnificent in natural sunlight.

THERMO-CHEMICAL PLATING


  The thermo-chemical plating process, consists of the addition of various metallic oxides, which are reduced to liquids by means of organic solvents. They are then applied to the glass and heated to a high temperature in an oxidation or reduction atmosphere. Most of these are very iridescent (like an oil slick on water) when matured. 22k Gold, as well as many others, are applied to my items this way.

ACID ETCHING


  Hydro-fluoric acid is used to give the glass a frosted appearance. In various ways the fumes or liquids are used to produce a soft satin etch to a brilliant white. Sometimes it is called frosted glass.

ANNEALING


  When glass is heated it expands like most things will. Later on in the cooling stages the surface becomes rigid, but the internal parts are still expanded. As they begin to contract they can put tremendous stress or strain on the surface of the glass and even cause it to shatter. The cure for this problem is to slowly cool the glass in a controlled atmosphere. Each type of glass has a specific annealing range. All of my pieces are completely heat treated to insure maximum strengh and durability. Some spend 12 hours or more in highly controlled ovens to insure my standard of quality.

THANK YOU


  I trust I have helped you to understand some of the fine products you will be viewing here. If you have any questions about my products please feel free to email me. I hope that I can be of help to you in selecting a fine hand made gift or collectable item.

Wayne Hughes Lawrence
Master Lamp Work Glass blower



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ANY QUESTIONS? PLEASE

Email: Wayne Lawrence






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