Careful examination still reveals the interfaces as slight changes in the light flow. Silicone and epoxy glues may be used to join unlike glasses and join glass to marble, wood, or metal for special contrasts. Pieces of glass used in foil or came work can be etched or the etching may be applied to full pieces of glass, including mirror, used like paintings. A major business for architectural partitions. Etching can be done with acid pastes, but only a shallow effect.
Silicosis is a risk.
Equipment cost is several hundred dollars, most of it in the air compressor which must be fairly large. Hot Glass Hot glass begins with lampworking and at the least costly level with a propane torch using colored and clear rod and tubing with a tungsten or coated metal rod for glass beadmaking. Scientific glass work is lampworking and most glassblowers listed in the Yellow Pages do this. Wale Apparatus A special category of lampworking is neon tube working, which requires special burners to make the long sweeping curves. Unexpected costs include a ventilated work space and enough electrical power.