Painting on Glass: Contemporary Designs, Simple Techniques

Author Paige Gilchrist attributes the current glass-painting craze to the remarkable new materials on the market--an array of water-based paints made especially for permanence on glass, with easy soap-and-water cleanup. Her enthusiasm for the subject and repeated insistence that glass painting is quite simple and very rewarding will entice even absolute beginners into becoming addicted to this colorful craft. The excellent directions, good color photos, and complete pattern templates for the 60 greatly varied projects prove the truth of Gilchrist's assertion: even newcomers can realize great success.

A brief but adequate overview of materials and general techniques sets the stage for a wide range of projects by numerous designers working in a variety of styles. Interestingly, projects are grouped not by item category but by type of decorative motif, so readers can choose from "Spirals," "Swirls," "Squiggles & Dots"; "Florals and Botanicals"; "Geometrics"; "Symbols & Prints"; and "Creatures Great & Small." Everyday objects like glasses, plates, pitchers, bottles, bowls, and vases are transformed into lovely home accessories. There are also some nice surprises in the form of less expected items--tiny, brightly hued vials used as party favors; a frosted-glass, rose-bedecked bathroom set; painted glass doorknobs; a string of party lights; a leopard-print glass clock; and a glass door panel. A gallery of artists' work rounds out this terrific volume. --Amy Handy