Our last blog before Christmas

Our Last Blog Before Christmas

In today's blog I was going to write about stained glass windows and the modern alternatives available that we offer.

On reflection, I have changed my mind, instead I want to talk about 2015 for gekoglass.

Anyone that has their own business will know that you always have ups and downs. The financial climate makes it very difficult for independent businesses to survive, but we are still here! We have had some knock backs, ups and downs but overall it has been a really positive year for gekoglass and we are very very proud of our achievements. 

We have fitted a plethora of splashbacks in blues, reds, purples, pinks, greens, blacks and whites with and without sparkles and cobweb effect. In 2016 we are hoping people in the Scarborough area get a little braver. We would love to see some splashbacks with digital images on them, maybe a scene of Scarborough harbour.

Stunning blue cooker splashback 

Red sink splashback

  

We have had many overlay lead commissions in 2015 including internal windows, external windows, light boxes and doors. These have featured owls, outdoor scenes, flowers, geckos and butterflies. Below are two internal door panels we have fitted this year. There are also three images below of internal windows we have created and original stained glass which we have restored and encapsulated into double glazed windows. .

 

  

Our glass boutique has seen many many new introductions including a lovely orange wall, our very own marble run 'The Tree Trunk Trundle' and loads of new crafters introducing their products to Scarborough. All year we have created new products including dichroic glass necklaces, glass bunting, glass hangers, glass tile favours and some stunning vases. 

   

The following video is one of our Dome Runs. This is a marble run for you to take away with you. Ideal for anyone looking for their marbles!

Our biggest achievements in 2015 were being nominated for 'Best new Business' from two different awarding bodies, CBYC Business Awards and The Scarborough News Awards. We would like to thank everyone involved with both of these ceremonies for the acknowledgement. It has really given us confidence in all our products and services. 

 

Our Glass Boutique is open right up to 23rd December for any last minute gift buying. We are then having a bit of a rest and will re-open on 5th January 2016. Thank you to all of you for joining us on our journey. We look forward to developing many new products in 2016 and sharing them with you.

Finally we at gekoglass would like to wish everyone we know, and everyone we don't know a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year 2016. 

#blog
#gekoglass
#handmade
#scarborough 
#uk

Fused glass... a little bit of history

Glass fusing

I hope to write a blog once a week. I want to write about different things that interest me, relating to Gekoglass in some way. I hope that you, my readers also enjoy what I’m writing. In today’s blog I want to talk about glass fusing, what it is and where it comes from. Also what we make using this glass technique.

A close up of an orange fused glass bowl.

The glass fusing process is where a selection of glass pieces are joined together by melting them in a kiln.  Pieces of compatible glass are chosen, cut and then placed in the kiln. A kiln is an oven which reaches temperatures of around 800°C to create the ideal circumstances for melting the glass. The glass heats up slowly and then faster; the glass softens, becomes hotter and more fluid, it then sticks together. Eventually the kiln cools slowly allowing the glass to be solid. The kiln we have takes around twelve hours to perform this process.

This is a view into our kiln while at 600°C.

While the precise origins of glass fusing techniques are not known with certainty, the first fusing and kiln casting that can be formally identified were produced by the ancient Mesopotamians in the 2nd millennium B.C. These processes evolved from ceramic and metal working techniques and glass was considered a precious material alongside silver and gold during this time. The Ancient Egyptians also developed the process. By the latter half of the second millennium they became proficient in fusing the other glass techniques. Greeks and Romans continued to improve the techniques.

Unfortunately the developments of kiln formed techniques were short lived due to the emergence of a new practise, glass blowing. This became popular as it could be repeated easily and was considered more efficient and cheaper. It became the prevalent practice for glass workers and spread throughout the Roman Empire.

By the 2nd and 3rd Century AD the warm glass techniques were almost forgotten. They were re-discovered in Europe, predominantly in France in the 19th century. Fusing began to regain popularity further in the early part of the 20th century, particularly in the U.S. during the 1960s. Bullseye Glass Co. was formed in Oregon in America in 1974 and has developed glass fusing techniques further. They were the leaders in research and developed compatible glass especially for fusing in recent times.

Modern glass fusing is a widespread hobby but the technique is also gaining popularity in the world of fine art. If you are interested in this have a look on https://www.pinterest.com as they have many example of fused glass art. Gekoglass began working with the kiln as a hobby. In April 2014 we decided to turn a hobby into a career.

We work with many different types of glass to create some unique items. We make jewellery with diachronic glass which creates many different effects. 

£18.00 each, available in our glass boutique.

Our scenes are often made using powdered glass and frit. Layers are done one at a time. They have to be tack fired in the kiln to create flowers and landscapes over two or three firings. This one (California Sunset) was done in two firings. The first was the background using powdered glass. The second firing used frit on top to create depth in the picture. 

'California Sunset' £35.00, available in our glass boutique.

We also encapsulate copper into glass. We have created bowls, vases and favour tiles, We have a range of hanging items including glass bunting, chain letters and Christmas hangers. Everything that we make can be personalised.

In the future we would love to offer glass making classes as we really enjoy what we create and would love to teach the art to many other people.

I hope you have enjoyed reading today's blog. If you have any questions or comments please get in touch. 

Visit Hanover Road, Scarborough

Hanover Road, Scarborough, UK

Gekoglass has been based on Hanover Road in Scarborough since August 2014. When we first moved onto the street, there were a lot of empty units. the unit we moved into had been empty for 16 years!!

One of the problems we faced when first moving here was the fact so many places around us were run down or derelict. Victoria Road had a lot of empty units with to/let and for sale as well as four other units on Hanover Road. 

Educating the general public that we were here was very tough as Hanover Road was 'just a cut through' to get to the train station or to head into the town centre. 

We are delighted to say that 16 months later it is a totally different story. On the street there is an array of places to visit. Here are one or two of my thoughts:

Sanctuary, hair, health and beauty offer a range of treatment rooms as well as some great stylists working in this hairdressers. A chatty group of ladies who are really focused on creating the right look for anyone. They are really good at making my hair stay in place!

Hanover Road Fish and Chip shop. A new (ish) unit on the street. This little gem also makes fantastic pickled onion rings, ideal accompaniment for their homemade fishcakes. A team of brothers who know  how to make good fish and chips.

There are two charity shops. Scarborough Samaritans and Scarborough Hospital League of Friends. Both shops have recently been renovated. The staff, who are all volunteers are happy to have a chat and help anyone who asks. They are always looking for donations and I took in a massive bag today!

The sewing alteration shop has expanded in recent years. They have altered one or two of my items in the past and workmanship is brilliant. 

The Art Science Gallery is a new edition to Hanover Road. They update their gallery once every three to four weeks. Items are for sale and when they are not open, you can still see all the wonderful artwork.

Violet Lux is a home haberdashery store selling all sort of trinkets and gifts, as well as childrens tents. New to Hanover Road this week, so welcome and we hope you enjoy being on this street.

Anna's sandwich shop has been around for a fair few years. they make your sandwich while you wait to take away. Ideal for a sneaky bacon sandwich for elevenses. 

The pet shop, Steve's Aquatic Emporium, has a plethora of pets needing that forever home. I have gone in to buy pet food and left with a pet snake... TWICE!! Steve has a lot of knowledge and breeds a lot of animals himself. Pop in if you need a bit of advice. 

Eat Me Social is the second venture for the Eat Me Cafe team. This is Asian inspired street food with all the vibes from Eat Me. well worth a visit, check the web site for opening days and times.

C'est La Vie is another new arrival to Hanover Road in August this year. They sell an array of antique items from tiny little jugs to big radiators and rocking horses. 

Gekoglass, that's us!! You should know by now that we have a great glass boutique selling hand made fused glass, jewellery, vases, trinkets, gifts for all budgets. Don't forget we have marbles for anyone that has lost theirs and you could have your own marble run to take home.

Andrea Willis designs has been established for quite a few years on Hanover Road. She can hand craft a card for you for any occasion. She also has some really lovely gift ideas. 

The barbers, are exactly that. Two chairs, take a seat and wait to be seen. Mr Gekoglass goes here to get his hair cut. They are a really friendly bunch and have been on Hanover Road for many years. 

Hanover Studios is yet another new addition to Hanover Road. these lovely ladies display all their art work. There are often workshops that you can get involved with so get in touch with them!

https://www.facebook.com/Hanover-Studios-586187094859134/

Last but by no means least is Eat Me Cafe. This is a cafe that offers more than cafe food. They are a fantastic bunch of people serving culinary delights. The hot chocolate and root beer are our favourites. 

The point of my blog today is to demonstrate you don't need to just visit the multi national conglomerate businesses in Scarborough. All the shops on Hanover Road are independent businesses. We would all love to see you visit our shops to say hello, have a bite to eat, a hair cut, makeover and buy one or two unique gifts form these fantastic businesses. 

Thank you for reading and I hope you visit Hanover Road really soon.

#hanoverroad #scarborough #uk #gekoglass #local #smallbusinesssaturday