This is a photograph of my version of “Farm Road”, the pattern that comes with Barry Masser’s new book, The Book on Glass Plating. The panel has not been cleaned thoroughly or polished. It will be framed with a custom-made cypress frame. (Barry’s web site, www.glassplating.com, where you can see photos of the finished versions of his plating patterns, as well as order the book and patterns)

I purchased the plating book on a whim because I saw it on sale at Glasscrafters when I placed an order for a couple of other books. I expected to use it only as a reference book and had no plans to contruct a panel from the pattern that came with it. After I read the book, though, I decided to make the panel because that seemed to be a good way to get hands-on experience with constructing a plated project. The book contains a lot of useful information on such things as pattern creation (using your original design or an existing pattern), glass selection, and construction techniques.

If I were to make this panel again, I would omit the clear/white wisy because it obscures the background features a little more than I like. You can only see the silhouette of the cute little red barn and silo. I would also use a less dense glass for the shadow on the vase. However, I’m really pleased with the results and everyone who sees the panel has had a “Wow!” response.

Glass info

I used the glass suggestions that came with the pattern as a guideline. Some are fairly specific, while others are more general. I found the suggestions useful, whether I chose the recommended glass or used something a little different.

Window shade

The top level of the window shade, which is on the front of the panel, is an ivory semi-translucent opalescent glass over 1) clear/white wispy, 2) clear float (with twigs and leaves painted on with kiln-fired paint), 3) the tree, and 4) sky blue waterglass.

Windows

The windows are 1) clear float glass sandblasted on the back side, clear/white wispy, 3) the scene (tree, hills, road, barn), and 4) sky blue waterglass.

Vase and foliage

The vase is a blue/green streaky over clear and medium gray semi-translucent(shadow). The foliage is a mix of emerald green, olive green, and blue-green over clear crystal ice. I think the shadow effect would have been less harsh had a chosen a less dense glass.

Walls

The walls are 1) light gray English Muffle over 2) light purple and white semi-translucent opalescent over 3) black and clear Baroque (shadows on the wall from the vase and foliage). The light gray mutes the pinkish purple.

Table

The top of the table is 1) wood-textured clear over 2) light amber semi- translucent over 3) clear and medium gray semi-translucent (shadows). The front edge of the table is 1) medium amber semi-translucent over 2) wood-textured clear.

Frame

The frame is emerald and cobalt blue translucent opalescent. I followed the suggestion to use glass that echoes the colors in the vase.