Sandblasted Celtic Spiral Key Pattern Art Glass Decorative Coaster
Included are some stages to see how parts of the process is done for fabricating a decorative etched glass coaster.
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In hand you can see the size of the piece in relation to it's surroundings (4" x 4" x 1/4" thick clear glass with polished edge).
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Each blasting stage the stencil is peeled according to the deepest carved areas first up into the lightest shading at the end. It's taken back to the sandblasting booth and the rest of the process continues in that same direction. The heavier etching is done on the backside, while the top side is frosted.
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The top can have carving, but to help keep it as a functioning art coaster I like to keep any deeper cutting to the outer edges or minimal in location so it doesn't catch an edge and offset the balance of a drinking glass sitting on top. If it is meant more as a display then that doesn't affect the use of stronger carving on the front side.
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Seeing the stage processes of what goes into making a unique coaster like this I hope helps others see the quality and craftmanship involved. It also reflects the difference between a typical coaster done in a manufactured, single step in contrast with a multistage, handcrafted functional art piece.