Writing and publishing a book, the story continues

Just when I thought we were completing, I saw that further work had to be done.
Interesting process, this, trying to explain to a total beginner how to carry out quite a skilled operation, with words and pictures. I have redone the Mirror Project completely, simplified it right down to the basics, and had an inexperienced friend, Helene, follow it while I stood there, mostly silently, correcting my instructions.
Stefan, my special person, retook the pics and we are in business, I do hope.
The test was a success! Helene was delighted to have learned a new process, as was I to have enabled it to happen.

This pic. Laying silver leaf on the glass for the mirror. 

Once a few glitches have been ironed out, like how to include the template into the document, which has been a nightmare due to strange corruptions going on in my (it can't be mine, must be someone else's) computer, we will be able to get it tested by the Testing Team.
Then I continue with the book production process.
I have two superb professionals helping me with this, my editor, Jane, and Patrick Armstrong, www.bookproductionservices.co.uk who produces books. He is going to set it all up and get it ready for the printers.
Bill Gudenrath of Corning Museum of Glass, NY, is writing the Foreword; I wait with baited breath.
So all in all I am getting the support that is so necessary for a project like this and am very grateful. I almost went with a Vanity publishing house which would have been a great mistake; this is a huge learning curve.
So onwards.... More soon and if you have been reading this by any chance, good. And thank you, and do give me feedback.

the trials continue

Just when I thought the thing was nearing completion, feedback from the editor, whose daughter tested the Project, was really depressing. But for her mum standing there she would have given up 'at the first hurdle'. Great.

The templates were too many (3) and impossible to fathom. I half suspected this, so, back to the drawing board to massively simplify the whole project chapter.

But, must not be discouraged. The fact is this is a difficult book to put together, which goes some way to explain why, to date, no publication on the subject has yet appeared. In spite of reverse gilding on glass (verre eglomise) becoming more and more widely used and recognised.

So that is the state so far... more soon.

Help to road test project, please

Gold Leaf, Paint & Glass

This book is nearing completion and now, please, I need some help.

I am looking for half a doz volunteers to road test the Project Chapter: step by step instructions to make a mirror with an engraved gilded border, with templates, photos and full instructions. More info of course will be sent to interested readers on the rest of the book.

It is important this practice is done by someone who knows nothing, but who is interested and who has access to the equipment. So, if you have done my class but maybe know someone who would like to do this exercise, please get in touch. It can be done by email, so if you are in Australia that is fine.

Let me know if you can help.

progress of Book

I am struggling to get it finally ready for the final edit, grabbing time when I can. It is so close, but still needs attention. I read it through and keep refining it to make it clearer. So easy to assume things.

Describing a technique to a novice is amazingly hard: imagine.... 'pick up the gold and gild the glass...' what is gold, (thick, thin, colour, how much does it cost....) what is glass, (same questions) and what do you mean, 'gild'? And so it goes. Every detail has to be explained, and every little thing I have discovered over the years that can help to fill out the info and clarify needs to be included. And not all jumbled up but presented in some kind of order!

But, it is coming. There is a ton to do after I have done this part.... I have to market the book, get it designed and printed, establish its cost and get in advance orders (with discount). Then I need to get it reviewed and out there. Talks and demos will all help, too. And in what order do I do all this? Same old, just put your head down and do one thing at a time. I have lots of help at hand so I will sign off and get back to it.

And if you have been, thanks for reading. Since I never get comments I am sure no-one is reading this, but hey-ho, that's fine.

Happy New Year.

A couple of my men

A pic taken whilst visiting the family (son Laurie, daughter in law Nina, Alice (10) and Grisha (2) in Garmisch Partenkirchen, where they live.

Mural by Nina.

House move.

Suddenly we are moving house to move in with my parents. They need us so everything, Book, jewellery , glassy stuff and all will have to wait a few weeks till we are settled in.
I will soon be back on the blog, so meanwhile happy holidays to all!

The Book, Glass Gold Leaf and Paint

Progress is being made.

I have edited nearly all chapters and in the early New Year it will go for the final edit (final, ha.), and the self publishing machine will start to grind into action. I am now compiling a list of possible buyers, so I will have an idea of the print run. It will be small, but those who want it, really want it; its been a long time coming. And we can always reprint.

So anybody reading this who may want a copy, please let me know.

And if you have any ideas about institutions to contact such as some obscure glass museum in the Boonies I have never heard of, or some institution of some kind that would be interested, shout!

Some facts about the book:

Glass, Gold Leaf and Paint

Foreword by Bill Gudenrath (Corning Museum of Glass, USA)

A chapter on the history of the techniques by the Munich-based conservator, Simone Bretz

About colour 80 pics.

Apart from the history, there is discussion of materials and how to work with them, equipment, recipes, methods, and a Mirror Project with step by step photos of every stage.

Also there is an extensive biblio., glossary, suppliers list and museums list.

It will be about 20, 000 words, around 200 pages.

I fully expect it to come out next year. Fingers crossed.

More soon!

17^th century églomisé (engraved leaf on glass) Pair of Shepherds Courtesy, Wolfgang Steiner