Turn of the century panel restoration

Here is another repair finished and back in the hands of a very satisfied client.

(Before)

(After)

Panel size is somewhere around 44 inches wide by 21 inches tall.

The client had purchased this turn of the century piece online and after it arrived she realized just how much damage there was to the piece, partly due to the way it was shipped but also due to its age and how it was maintained over the decades. I estimate the age of the piece to be in the range of 120 to 130 years old, this is based off of my knowledge of the construction techniques and the materials used.

The old style "saddle" type rebar's had both separated from their attachment points to the leaded panel and the panel had deflected over time. The combination of the loss of reinforcement, the puttying/cementing deteriorating and the continual "force of gravity" pulling on the panel has resulted in the damage you see prior to my restoration of the piece.

In an effort to stay within a certain budget the client opted to not have a complete re-leading of the panel done, this is where the piece is pulled apart completely and all of the lead came is replaced with new lead came.

Taking much care I reshaped the piece to remove the bowing that had occurred over time and then I replaced the few broken pieces that were so far gone we could not just add lead lines, in addition I replaced the pieces that were missing all together. I was able to find very close matches in glass as I have an extensive stock of glass on hand which includes many out of production sheets of glass.

Then I re-leaded the outside border of glass, replacing that lead to help assure optimal strength in the long term. This is not something I had quoted to the client but decided to do as it was the right thing to do for this piece, I did not charge the client anything more for doing that extra step. I also soldered all of the broken solder joints and lead came work. Lead of this age will "break" when it is deflecting this much and must be repaired or replaced.

Once the panel was put back together and soldered I then redid the putty/cement of the whole panel. This is an important step as it helps to not only assure there is no loose glass that might rattle due to vibration, but more importantly it helps to strengthen the panel.

Lastly I then attached new rebar, a flat steel rebar that is soldered at each intersection of lead it touches. This rebar is then notched into the wood sash.

By restoring this piece it will be available for many future generations to enjoy.

WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE YOU TO DO MY WORK?

I look at doing a project with you as a partnership, and I will give you an honest and straight forward assessment of the project and what it will entail.

The sad part today is that there are fewer and fewer full service studios around that can actually do all the work for you turn key. There are very few limitations that I have and I do provide a full turn key service.

For example, there are numerous studios out there that only practice what is commonly referred to as the "Tiffany Style" technique, in other words, copper foil only production. They either have no knowledge or limited knowledge of other techniques such as leading, hard came usage (i.e. zinc, copper etc...), proper rebar (reinforcement) usage, etc... This limits their ability to create works that will stand the test of time and last generation after generation without the need for repair and rework.

I can generally work within most budgets and can create a workable plan of action to help you achieve your goals. I look at my service to you being a long term commitment.

I also do something which many studios do not, which is to credit back a portion of the charge to do a detailed onsite assessment of your project. When you decide to go forward with the project I will credit back 50% of what you paid for an onsite assessment.

I have one of the largest stocks of stained glass in the Northwest Arkansas region, with over 700 sheets (full sized to smaller sheet size) of glass in stock, which also includes some very rare out of circulation glass. I also carry several hundred bevels in stock as well as faceted jewels and other sundries. With hundreds of patterns and pattern books in stock I can sit down with you and create an estimate utilizing any design element you wish to include.

WHAT TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH?

Leading (Traditional leaded glass work using lead construct as well as zinc, copper, brass and more)

Copper foil (Tiffany style) 

Dalle de verre glass (aka faceted slab glass)

English weaving (a solderless technique of construction where all but he border is "woven")

Beveled and custom beveling

Etching (multi layer sandblast etching as well as acid etching)

Carving (carving into thick glass using a sandblaster which gives depth and detail)

Torch work (aka lamp working and glass bead making)

Kiln work (fusing and slumping)

Painting and firing (age old techniques that allows the addition of detail to glass via painting and then firing in kiln)

3 dimensional work (kaleidoscopes, boxes, lampshades and sculptural type work)

Restorations (skilled in the restoration of turn of the century works)

Repairs (if it is broken, I can almost always fix it)

HOW DO I CONTACT YOU?

Email is the best way, which can be done at frank@creationsbyelder.com

If you are inquiring about repairs, please attach several photos of the item if at all possible. And if possible, please give a shot or two with light (sun light is preferred) coming through the piece.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I have been doing Stained Glass work, and working with glass as a medium, off and on since 1988. I was very heavy into art while in school which lead my shop trades teacher to ask me if I would volunteer some of my time to do artwork and help in the production of some stained glass panels for a display to compete in a state championship for VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).

I said yes and found myself working in a local stained glass studio, with one of the sweetest little ole ladies around, her name was Beatrice Stebbing. I guess she saw something in me because she contacted me and asked me if I would like to come to work for her, and I said yes. So while still in High School I started working for her, and there began my career in stained glass.

In the years since I have worked for other studios as well as operating my own studio for many years.

I am known for my unique 3 dimensional glass sculptures as well as very unique one of a kind designs. I enjoy creating "interactive" art, which is why you will find me creating items such as; pyramids that open, wands that can be held or sculptures that contain kaleidoscopes, which promotes the "viewer" of the art to actually interact with the art.

I utilize age old techniques and combine those techniques with modern materials. Adding to that my years of experience, my goal is to create works of art that will stand the test of time, which will allow them to be handed down from generation to generation.

If you are wanting a custom piece created, or have a piece that is damaged and requires repair, contact me for a quote.

Growing up in Northwest Arkansas ( NWA ) I consider this area my home. I currently reside in Northeast Oklahoma and still consider the Ozarks my home. I am available and can provide service anywhere, for any project. My work can be found through out the United States and internationally.

To contact me you can email at frank@creationsbyelder.com

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