Glass is not only useful. Glass can be made into works of art. It can be turned into beautiful shapes, patterns and colours. Words can be written on glass using tiny drills. It takes great skill to make, cut and pattern glass, without breaking it!
Crystal glass sparkles in the light.
Have you ever seen a glass that seems to sparkle in the light? This glass is called crystal glass. To make crystal glass, a metal called lead is added to the liquid glass mixture. When the glass sets, craft workers can cut tiny shapes into the crystal glass.
You can cut patterns into glass.
An artist uses a small drill to draw patterns on glass. This is called engraving. To write on glass, the artist draws letters with a thin needle. A chemical is used to carve the shape more deeply into the glass. This is called etching.
Turn a jam jar into a beautiful vase.
Ask an adult to help you make a vase. Take care – glass breaks easily and is sharp. You need a clean empty jam jar, paints and a paintbrush. Put your jar on an old newspaper. Carefully paint a pattern on the jar. Leave the paint to dry. Varnish over the paint – you have a beautiful vase.
