A glass grinder is one item of equipment that both fused glass and stained glass artists often want to have. (It was the first “major tool” Bella bought when she started doing glass art . . . those many, many years ago.) So, once you’ve decided to buy one, how do you decide which one? For most models, regardless of the manufacturer, you’ll need to budget $130 or more. Most manufacturers offer a five-year warranty and all the tabletop grinders work on standard household current. The differences in grinders (and prices) are related to the size of the work surface, the RPMs and horsepower of the motor, the size and number of grinding bits that come with a new grinder, and the inclusion (or not) of various items like an elevated work surface, a face shield or splash guard. If you're just starting out, a smaller model will do fine and last many years. If you're doing lots of grinding or you prefer a large work surface and more power, consider the larger models.
If a grinder is next on the “buy list” for your glass art projects, please stop by our studio to compare the various models we have available and find the best one for your needs.
If you missed the Sticks and Stones class on June 20, you missed a ton of creative fun. Our intrepid artists made beautiful wall hangings (or table top art pieces) in just one day from a piece of decorative glass, a colorful pot drop "rondell," a tree branch (or two) and some solder. Some students had never soldered before, but left the class with a unique creation that is sure to impress their family and friends. Several people had so much fun, they're already buying supplies and designing their next Sticks and 
Stones pieces. Comments about the class ranged from "I know just where I'm going to hang this in my house!" to "I really like this!" to "Wow!" If you'd like to learn how to make your own awesome Sticks and Stones art, email us at info@bellaglassstudios.com with your contact information, and we'll let you know when the next class is scheduled.
