At Fire Gems Studio, ancient skills continue to be used with our line of "Mystical Art Glass." Each month we will showcase a variety of three-dimensional Art Glass: Candle Boxes, Light Catchers, Incense Burners, Angels and other surprises.

Earliest known man-made glass was in the form of Egyptian beads dating back to 2700 BC. Archeologists believe Egyptian potters accidentally discovered glass while firing vessels of earthen clay upon sandy mounds. In the first century AD, the Romans used antiquated blowing techniques to cast glass slabs that were later turned into our first examples of glass windows. Art Glass windows appeared again in Arabia during the second half of the thirteenth century, but it was in Europe that the first leaded glass appeared. European artists began replacing plaster grillwork with strings of lead that were used to attach and hold cut glass in place. Around 1000 AD, artisans began painting on glass, and in 1878 the symbols alpha and omega were found painted and hanging from a holy relic, a cross, in the town of Aisne, France. Glass making was the first industry set up in America, in Jamestown, settled in 1607.

What makes our line of "Mystical Art Glass" different?

• Candle Boxes: Many of our clients wanted to use their own existing candle containers with our glass boxes, so . . . we developed the “bottomless” candle box. Whatever existing candle container you have, as long as the size is correct, just slip one of our boxes over the top of your holder, and voilá, it fits and looks fantastic. We do recommend using a low burning container so the flame of the candle will flow beautifully through the bottom of the candle box, and be caught and carried all the way up to the very top. Because of Feng Shui principles, we use the energy source connected with crystals quite often in our art pieces, no substitutes, only the quality of Swarovski©. These beautifully cut crystals are then intertwined with a vast spectrum of iridescent glass, highly polished silvered solder and accents of cut beveled glass and clay tiles hand rolled and painted.
  
  
• Angels: Our Angels are designed and resemble religious art glass found in old historical church windows. They are like no others, their iridescent hues seem to shine upon your soul. In preparation, we combine glass fusion with the traditional old master technique of “painting on glass.” Our painted on glass requires a “wet wash” mixture that dries into a fine powder and finally is kiln fired to temperatures ranging from 1100º to 1350º.
  
  
• Other Surprises: We might bring you Feng Shui “light catchers,” based upon nature with dangling Ba-gua energy crystals and jewels, or “incense burners” that will rise to the occasion and comfort you with their scented peace. Always something new, different and exciting!