Glass and Mirror Memorials
Custom back painted memorial plaques
This is a memorial plaque I made for myself. I had a blue back painted sample so I chipped the edges. I liked the piece so much I used it for this memory plaque for my sister. Back painted glass provides a great canvas for etching. I have several colors in stock to choose from. The dark colors make the etching stand out. Unlike mirror you don't get a reflection. The size of this piece is 1/4" 8" x 8". Back painted blue and chipped with wood base.
Standard size back painted plaques with bases
This piece is back painted gold glass. It has my signature chipped edge. This plaque is 8" wide x 10" tall x 1/4" thick. 1/4 inch jade glass was used for this plaque. Clear glass in both 1/4" and 3/8" can also be used. Clear glass will slightly change the color of the glass. See colors below in the Frequently asked questions for more information.
Free standing memorial plaques in glass and mirror
1/4" glass and mirror plaques standard sizes
- 1/4" mirror with pencil polished or chipped edges on wood base
- 1/4" jade {green} glass with pencil polished or chipped edges on wood base
- 1/4" clear {lo-iron} glass with flat polished or chipped edges on wood or glass base
3/8" jade and clear glass plaques with wood base
- 3/8" jade {green} glass with flat polished or chipped edges on wood base
- 3/8" clear {lo-iron} glass with flat polished edge or chipped edge on wood base
3/8" jade and clear glass plaques with glass base
- 3/8" jade {green} glass with flat polished or chipped edges on wood base
- 3/8" clear {lo-iron} glass with flat polished edge or chipped edge on wood base
The base will be the same as the plaque. Chipped edge plaque will have a chipped edge glass base. A polished edge plaque will have a polished glass base.
Framed Mirror Memorial Plaque
This mirror was made in memory of my sister. I gave it to my mother on Mothers day. It has a very special place in my mother and fathers house. It has a special place in our hearts as well. If you are looking for a plaque to remember someone or for a very special gift, This is my top of the line. I create one of a kind vector art for this project. This eliminates the use of dots as with the photo emulsion process. They are very elegant in memory plaques.
The mirror shown is made from a bronze mirror with a oil rubbed bronze wood frame. The mirror is etched by using a sandblasting technique. This allows me to lightly shade areas for a 3-D effect. I used two different fonts, one for in loving memory and one for the name and date. The cherubs are shaded and the portrait of my sister is created from vector art. I made several samples until I came up with this version. I used a small picture to do the artwork which is harder than having a high resolution photograph. It helps to soften the portrait by using shading techniques. This adds a third color or shade. I probably should have softened the shadow on the face a little with shading, but I liked the contrast. I would make a sample for you to approve before making your mirror.
The mirror is made from gray mirror. It is dark bronze in appearance. The mirror size is 20" x 20". The frame is made from solid popular and then painted oil rubbed bronze. For more information on vector vs half tone.
Framed mirror cross designs and samples
These are my wall hanging framed mirrors. Etched with a cross, angel design, In Memory, In Memory of, your loved ones name and the dates. These are custom made to your specifications. Tell me how you want it to look and I will create the custom artwork for you to approve. Available in two sizes, 8" x 10" and 16" x 20".
If you have a favorite 8" x 10" or 16" x 20" frame and would like to buy the mirror only. I would be happy to give you a quote. If you would like the angel design, or one of the cross designs above let me know and I will design it and email you the art work for your approval.
Suncatchers
I have suncatchers available. A design can be included, but keep in mind that it will be quite small and will need to be a simple design. These are all 3" tall on average. I will email you to ask shape you would like and design information. From left to right top row circle, octagon, arrowhead. Bottom row house, diamond, and triangle.
Glass vase memorials
CrystalEdge Challenge Vase
For those of you that want top quality, here is the 10 inch tall lead crystal vase. The engraving panel size is 4 1/2" x 8" tall.Please call or email for quote. Custom personalized engraved message. Please allow 3 to 6 weeks for delivery.
Glass block vase
This vase is made from 3/4" thick clear glass with a drilled hole for the vase. The size is 4 1/2" x 4 1/2". This is a neat idea for a vase. It provides a perfect area for etching a memorial. You can get a plastic flower like the one shown that will last for ever. {flower not included}
Flared glass vase
This vase is available in 10" and 12" tall sizes. If you would like to send flowers, this is a gift that will last long after the flowers have dried. I special saying can be etched on this vase with their names and dates. You can always add a cross or angel design onto the glass.
Rectangle glass vase
This rectangle vase is available in 3" x 4" x 8 3/4" tall. This vase is straight up and down. It can be etched with names, dates and designs. These vases can be filled with dark colored objects like marbles or potpourri leaves and used for a gift or kept as a family keepsake.
This is a close up of one of the glass vases. These are inexpensive vases. Note that on a black background you can see the tiny air bubbles in the glass. This give them character. This will vary vase to vase. If you want a higher quality vase, or if you don't like the bubbles, please email me for more options. My email address is dean [at] glassdesignllc.com. The crystal vase above will be free of defects.
Frequently asked questions
Lettering and font styles
I have several font styles to choose from, as shown. This is to keep it simple and to not boggle your brain with to many choices. These are the top 12 fonts that I use. For those of you that want to be creative or unique... here is access to numerous fonts at MyFonts. Please note, If you pick a font from MyFonts, email me the name when I send you email about your artwork. Do Not buy it, I will do that and I may already have it. If you have a certain font in mind, you are sure to find it here. You can look at the thousands of styles if you want. Or you can visit my album at MyFonts to look at more lettering styles that I think would etch very well. The fonts in my album would not cost extra because they are on my wish list or I already have them. Fonts chosen from main web site could cost extra. This is usually around $19.00 but as high as $100.00. If it is a font that I don't think I will use again, I will have to charge you. There are free fonts on the internet but I MUST have a commercial licence to use them.
Color Options
I have several colors in stock that I can paint large pieces of glass to cut down and chip for memorial plaques. This keeps the price down. If you would like a custom color I would have to charge a $400.00 minimum. I know this is really high, but the paint is very exspensive. If you would like to request a custom color and see if I get other request for the same color. If I get enough people wanting a color I could get that color and add to my in stock colors. If you would like more information. Please visit the painted glass page
How long does it take?
The in memory plaques take a little longer because of the pictures. To create vector art I have to trace the edges and contours by hand. Once I have the art I make a sample for you to approve. When the art work is approved I can have the project finished within a week. When the art work has been approved. I will send an email letting you know what the shipping schedule will be. I personally make each plaque by hand, so depending on work load, lead times may vary. Your patience is appreciated.
Ordering information
When I receive your order I will send an email to you to find out the lettering style or font, logo information if applicable and the persons name and/or what you want to say. When I receive that information I will email back the artwork with the time frame for shipment. All my work is made for you at the time of order. You may send me an email or use the Contact form if you have any questions. My email address is dean [at] glassdesignllc.com. I would be more than happy to give you a price and time quote.
Vector art portraits vs halftone screen portraits
The difference between vector art and half tone screen artwork. Half tone screens are small dots that, in this case, either etch or are clear to recreate a picture. The key to good half tones is to have high resolution photograph. This makes the dots smaller and increases the number of dots. In my opinion when the dots get larger the quality goes down. A half tone picture on a suncatcher will look great because it is so small. That same picture at 8 x 10 will not look as good because of the large dots. A low resolution photographs make for large dots and poor quality. A vector art picture is taking the blocks of color or tone and making them one piece. This is the more artistic of the two because I choose which pieces and parts would look the best. In these samples I removed some of the detail.This makes the etching look very clean and simple. The vector artwork can also include more detail. More detail can be added with shading. This adds dimension or depth.
Shipping
I ship to the lower 48 contiguous states. I will ship with FedEx Home Delivery in most cases. If you need shipping to another country or outside the contiguous 48 States, please email me first for a quote. If you need special shipping arrangements or faster shipping, let me know in the first email and I will get you a price and more information.