What is engraving? Glass engraving is a surface treatment of glass, traditionally done on blown vessels, clear flat or flashed glass. The most widespread method of glass engraving, namely, copper wheel may be used for several types of engraved art forms, namely, intaglio, relief engraving, cameo glass and cut glass. Copper wheel engraving is made with a belt-driven lathe that can be be fitted with inter-changeable spindles. These spindles come from the manufacturer without the cutting discs (copper wheels). Various types of cut in the glass can be made depending on the width, diameter and profile of the discs. The copper wheel itself has little to no abrasive properties, therefore, a slurry of carborundum powder with paraffin and machine oil until if has the consistency of cream. Engraving is increasingly combined with other glass techniques such as glassblowing. Italian masters produce a special kind of engraving that they call "Battuto." Battuto is is characterised by numerous smallirregular, adjacent and parallel marks. The so-called "satinato" effect is done with sandblasting while the "velato" finish is a finer sandblasting. What may I create with glass engraving? vessel decoration flat glass decoration trophies and custom glass decorations What equipment is needed for engraving glass? engraving lathe spindles abrasive slurry What other techniques might I combine with glass engraving? Anything that you can do to flat glass can be used to enhance stained glass. sandblasting fusing slumping glassblowing flat glass Where do I learn to engrave glass? Glass engraving is very much a lost art. Your best bet is to contact a professional practitioner for an apprenticeship, or pay for lessons and equipment rental by the hour. Classes are available to students enrolled at Sheridan College in Ontario, Canada. Exemplary websites: Katherine Coleman Maciej Mdyszkiewicz Noel Laue Ethan Stern More information: Guild of Glass Engravers Enter Forums