Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Last Sunday as reported the Southern California cut glass group and Elegant Glass group met in a joint meeting in Rancho Bernardo, California. The morning presenter was Mike Manginella from Escondido, California. Lisa Ackerman of Orange, California who attended was asked about Mike’s presentation. I was copied so I’m taking the liberty of reproducing her summary. I must say, Lisa takes great notes.

He(Mike Manginella) had very good illustrations. His presentation started with definitions of what is Cameo glass, Rock Crystal Glass, cut glass and engraved glass. He showed slides of the progression of engraving machines from foot powered to electric. He showed several drawings of the different shapes of the copper wheels, how they would have had to have been re-filed to true up the shape every 20 minutes, and the shape of the different engravings that each shaped wheel leaves on the glass, and how different movements produce different features with that wheel. He discussed polishing and its effects on the end product.

He also showed the early tools used to do early cameo glass, which made us all the more appreciate pieces that John Northwood, (A Carder mentor) created.

Several pictures of of Max Erlacher’s work were shown.

Mike is evidently part of the American Cut Glass Club. When they had their convention in Corning, their club went up to Max’s studio and several were even given the opportunity to try their hand at engraving.

He made the case of what kinds of engraving were more difficult to master, (flowers as opposed to animal or human figures, and on to architectural images).

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