1. Think Simple Geometry
Using one or both of your two widths of tape, divide the surface of the glass into squares and rectangles - remembering that where your tape is will be the negative (clear) space when you are through.
The simplest designs can be made with just vertical stripes and one width of tape - we used 1/2" (See Figure 2). To evenly space your stripes around the glass, start with two strips directly opposite each other (think noon and six on a clock). Then, place a strip equidistant between those two on each side (nine and three on the clock). Center a strip in each of the resulting spaces and your stripes should be equally distributed around the glass. In Figure 1, we then pulled two strips of tape back off that were opposite each other, and wrapped tape strips around the glass at equal intervals to give us different size rectangles.
The nice thing is the tape is removeable and you can play until you have something you really like
2. Apply the Paint
When you have finished placing your tape, you are ready to apply the glass paint. Vitrea Matt Medium, applied correctly, looks for all the world like etched (frosted) glass. We used Vitrea Matt Medium and Porcelain Gold.
Pour some Gold paint onto the disposable plate and tap your make-up sponge into it. Then apply it to one of your rectangle shapes or stripes using the same soft tapping motion. This will apply the paint with an even, slightly “pebbled” texture. Paint alternate stripes or rectangles gold.
Do the same with the Matt Medium, filling in the area not already painted Gold. Let dry for 1/2 hour or so. Apply a second coat if you want a more opaque look. Let dry.
3. Embellish
When dry, add decorative symbols using the Vermeil (Gold) Cloisanné Outliner. This comes in a tube and is something like using dimensional fabric paint - it takes practice on scrap paper to get the feel for it. It is a thicker version of the same glass paint, so it may “re-wet” the underlying paint - making it difficult to remove mistakes without damaging what’s there. If you don't feel so sure-handed, and you have some patience, cure the glass first, before applying the embellishments. Nothing can hurt the cured paint.
4. Dry and “Fire”
Let your finished piece air dry for 24 hours and then fire. When fired and cooled, use your vase for flowers or fill with water and burn a floating candle.
First allow the painted piece to dry for 24 hours. Then fire it in your home oven as follows:
Place the pieces on a cookie sheet in a cold oven. Heat the oven to the correct temperature (given below)and when it reaches that temperature, start the timing. Use an oven thermometer to check that your oven is the correct temperature. When time is up, open the oven door and allow the pieces to cool right in the oven. Paints will “glaze”, level out, and become more “sparkly”.
Vitrea: 325 degrees, 40 min
Porcelain: 300 degrees, 35 min
When using the two paints together on a piece, I bake at 300 for 40 minutes.
