Blog

dichroic glass jewelry & crafted Pewter 

Welcome to Unique Pewter Studio: A Celebration of Craftsmanship and Color

Nestled in the picturesque Chester County, PAUnique Pewter Studio is your premier destination for exquisite handmade pewter gifts and stunning dichroic glass creations. Since 1994, we have dedicated ourselves to crafting timeless pieces that bring joy, elegance, and artistry into your life. Our passion for craftsmanship and commitment to quality have made us a beloved brand among enthusiasts of fine art and unique jewelry.

Discovering the Allure of Dichroic Glass jewelry

Dichroic glass is a mesmerizing material that captivates artisans and jewelry lovers alike with its vibrant play of colors and light. Created through a special process that fuses thin layers of metals onto glass, this enchanting material transforms into beautiful jewelry, art glass hair barrettes, and charming home decor items like wind chimes. The versatility of dichroic glass makes it a popular choice for those seeking both beauty and functionality in their accessories and decor.

Dichroic Glass Jewelry: A Touch of Elegance

Our dichroic glass jewelry collection showcases the unique ability of each piece to shift colors depending on the angle of light and the background. From earrings to necklaces and bracelets, these stunning accessories add sophistication to any outfit. Each handcrafted item is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, reflecting our dedication to quality and artistic excellence. Whether you’re dressing up for a special occasion or seeking everyday elegance, our dichroic glass jewelry offers versatility and style.

The Craftsmanship Behind Dichroic Glass Jewelry

The creation of dichroic glass jewelry involves intricate techniques that require skill and precision. Our artisans carefully layer metals onto the glass before fusing them in a kiln, resulting in vibrant hues that dance with the light. This meticulous process ensures that every piece is not only visually stunning but also durable enough for daily wear. Whether you choose a pair of earrings or a statement necklace, you can be confident that your jewelry is crafted with care.

Art Glass Hair Barrettes: Functional Artistry

For those looking to enhance their hairstyles with a splash of creativity, our art glass hair barrettes are the perfect choice. Featuring captivating dichroic glass elements, these barrettes combine practicality with artistic flair. They provide a secure fit while showcasing your unique personality, making them ideal for thick hair or up-swept styles. Elevate your everyday look with these stunning accessories that catch the light in mesmerizing ways.

Why Choose Art Glass Hair Barrettes?

Our hair barrettes are more than just functional items; they are pieces of art that can transform your hairstyle into a statement. Made from high-quality materials, each barrette is designed to withstand daily use while adding a touch of elegance to your look. Whether you’re attending a formal event or simply running errands, our art glass hair barrettes will make you feel stylish and confident.

Enchanting Home Decor: Glass Wind Chimes

Bring the beauty of glass into your living space with our exquisite wind chimes. Crafted from vibrant dichroic glass pieces, these chimes not only look stunning but also produce soothing sounds that add tranquility to any environment—be it your garden, porch, or living room. As the wind gently moves the chimes, they create melodious sounds that enhance your home’s ambiance while casting colorful reflections throughout your space.

The Benefits of Glass Wind Chimes

Glass wind chimes are more than just decor; they serve as a harmonious blend of functionality and artistry. The soothing sounds produced by these chimes can create a serene atmosphere in your home or garden, making them perfect for relaxation or meditation. Additionally, their vibrant colors catch the sunlight beautifully, adding an enchanting visual element to your outdoor space.

Handcrafted Pewter: Timeless Elegance

At Unique Pewter Studio, we elevate the ancient craft of pewter into modern artistry. Our handcrafted pewter items range from elegant necklaces and pendants to functional home decor pieces like picture frames and keyrings. Each piece is meticulously designed to blend beauty with practicality, making them perfect gifts for any occasion.

Unique Pewter Jewelry: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Our pewter necklaces and pendants showcase a harmonious blend of ancient metal craftsmanship with contemporary design. The intricate details and timeless appeal make these pieces treasured additions to any jewelry collection. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece or something subtle for everyday wear, our unique pewter jewelry offers options for every style.

The Artistry Behind Handcrafted Pewter

What sets our handcrafted pewter apart is the attention to detail that goes into each piece. Our artisans use traditional techniques passed down through generations while incorporating modern design sensibilities. This fusion results in unique pewter gifts that are not only beautiful but also meaningful—perfect for commemorating special occasions or expressing personal style.

Home Decor and Gifts: Thoughtful Elegance

Our unique pewter home decor items are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your living space. Each piece is crafted with care to ensure it is both beautiful and functional—ideal for gifting or enhancing your own home. From decorative bowls to personalized keepsakes, our handcrafted pewter items make thoughtful gifts that will be cherished for years to come.

Embracing Sustainability

At Unique Pewter Studio, we are committed to sustainability and ethical practices in our craftsmanship. By using recycled materials in our wind chimes and creating heirloom-quality pieces that last a lifetime, we honor our responsibility to the environment while delivering exceptional products to our customers.

Sustainable Practices in Craftsmanship

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond just materials; it encompasses our entire production process. By focusing on eco-friendly practices, we ensure that every item we create has minimal impact on the environment while maintaining high standards of quality and artistry.

A Personalized Customer Experience

We treat our customers like family at Unique Pewter Studio. Our goal is to provide exceptional service while creating pieces that bring joy and elegance into your life. Enjoy free shipping on orders over $50, with each item carefully packaged for safe delivery.

Customer-Centric Approach

From browsing our collection online to receiving your order at home, we strive to make every interaction seamless and enjoyable. Our knowledgeable staff is always available to answer questions or provide recommendations tailored to your needs.

Explore Our Collection Today!

We invite you to explore our exquisite collection at Unique Pewter Studio. Whether you’re searching for a thoughtful gift or a stunning piece of jewelry to elevate your style, you’ll discover something truly special here.Unique Pewter Studio is more than just a store; it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, artistry, and the beauty of handmade creations. Visit us today to bring a touch of Chester County’s creative spirit into your life!

Enjoy Our Videos

Small dichroic glass turtle video

In this video I will be making a small dichroic glass turtle. First, I will cut out a base the shape of the turtle. I then cut the pieces that I will add, like the head and feet. Using the glass grinding machine with a diamond bit, I carefully smooth down the edges of each piece of glass to remove any sharp or jagged edges. You can see how delicate the cuts can be. Because the turtle is so small pieces like the feet are at times hard to manage.

Next, I will lay all the pieces out. Starting with the base, which is fusible art glass, I layer the small cut glass. I will add a small square of cut clear glass to give the turtles dimension. This can take some time, for all the pieces must be straight and glued on. 

The final piece added is the shell. This shell also made of dichroic glass will accent the turtle with color and texture. Again, the glass I will cut and round to give the look of a shell. Once the I add the shell the fusing process begins.

I do all my fusing in a kiln which I heat to a temperature of around 1500 degrees Fahrenheit (815 degrees Celsius) and held at different temperatures for a scheduled period, typically 12 hours. During this time, the glass will melt and fuse together to create a single piece.

After the fusing process is complete, the I let the glass cool in the kiln slowly to prevent it from cracking or breaking. Once I allow the fused glass piece to cool, I can shape and polished to create a pendant.

To turn the fused glass piece into a pendant, I attach a bail or loop to the back of the piece using an adhesive.

You can also see all my fine jewelry at my shop in Chester County Pennsylvania called Unique Pewter & Glass Picture Framing Studio. Call or text for an appointment (610) 585-7965.

Small dichroic glass turtle

Making of Dichroic Glass Sand Dollar Pendent

Amy, owner of Unique Pewter & Glass Picture Framing Studio will make a Dichroic Glass Sand Dollar Pendent. This sand dollar pendant I will be making with with dichroic glass. This glass can display multiple different colors depending on lighting conditions. The manufacturer makes dichroic glass by stacking layers of metal oxides which give the glass shifting colors depending on the angle of view.

I will start by cutting the glass in a circle shape. Then by grinding the glass on a wet grinder I will round it to a near perfect circle. I will repeat this process until I have the desired number of product parts. Then I will set the finished circle on a smaller piece of fusible art glass giving the sand dollar 3D dimension. After I complete the assembly, I will fire the pendent in an electric kiln at temperatures between 1300 & 1400 degrees for 12 hours.

After cooling I remove the pendent from the kiln and inspect the dichroic glass pendent. Finally, I add the designs by etching the glass. This is done with a diamond bit & water. I then draw the pattern on the glass and gently begin to engrave the glass following the lines. The Dichroic Glass Sand Dollar Pendent will change color and is a piece of jewelry that will accent any one’s wardrobe.

Video making leather bracelets Where’s the Catch

Amy, owner of Unique Pewter & Glass Picture Framing Studio will make a copper enameled bead for her leather bracelets. This bead hides the magnetic catch on my one of a kind leather bracelet.

I start with cutting the copper and preparing it for the torch. Each piece is hand cut with a saw and sanded until it is smooth. Then I attach the copper to steel mandrels which allow me to handle the copper on my oxygen and propane pre mixed torch. This lampworking torch works well because it creates a concentrated flame that burns hotter than other flame torches.

After igniting the torch I heat the copper until it becomes red hot. I then gently roll the bead in the enameling powder which will be the base color. This process I repeat until enough powder has attached to the copper for the foundation color. I then add larger pieces of glass by rolling in selected colors. After completing the enameling I clean the beads.  I use a high quality braded leather and cylinder magnets with strong grip strength. These leather bracelets I designed to appeal to men and women. The hidden magnetic catch makes my bracelets extra appealing. Each leather bracelet is custom ordered according to size & color.  Contact Us.

 

Visit our Studio in Northern Chester County, PA

Because of our changing world many of us are experiencing tough times. We all have to make the best of what we can. This past summer instead of our normal travel to some of the finest art show in the south we traveled up to New Hampshire. We missed our friends that we made over the years in our travels and hope to see them soon. The shows in New Hampshire were beautiful and we made some new friends and found inspiration in climbing the White Mountains.

Once again we have news of the VA Beach Christmas Market Show cancelation. Like in the past cancelations we are turning our focus to adding some of our new items on our website. For example some items include “Branches of Hope with Glass Frame”, “Glass Pendulum” and “Glass Christmas Trees”. Plus we offer custom picture framing (updesignstudios.com), & safe shopping in our studio in Northern Chester County, PA. In our studio we are offering everything and more that you see at art shows. Plan a day trip to come see us and while you’re here stop at Historical St Peters Village (1/2 mile away) and check out St Peters Bakery. It’s worth every calorie. Call or email an appointment to come see us! 610-585-7965 amy.uniquepewter@gmail.com

Welcome to UP design

Back in March I started a new design called “Branches of Hope“. The idea was a long the idea that we all need a reminder that there is hope to an end to the pandemic. I have finished updating my web site and thought I would introduce a couple of my videos that I had on my news letters. The first one is a small tour of how I make the “Branches of Hope” design plus small look into my shop. The “Branches of Hope” use both my frame studio and glass studio together.

Posted in Uncategorized