What does cold-working glass mean?

So, in a nutshell, cold working glass is all about shaping and refining glass through various techniques, without needing to heat it up. It's my way of adding the very important finishing touches to my nature-inspired fused glass art pieces.

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How to display my glass birds.


Pied Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

More than often, I have noticed that when customers buy a glass bird as a special gift for their mum or a birthday present for their nan, they are not quite sure where to put them. I am asked for advice on HOW to hang them and also WHERE to hang them.  Read on for top-tips and ideas on how to display your glass bird and also an example from a happy customer.

Mobile glass birds

All my birds have a discrete little hole for a length of invisible thread so that you can hang them anywhere in the home. The wonderful quality of glass is that the colours will not fade in sunlight and its also water resistant so my birds can be placed anywhere within the home. i.e. conservatory, bathroom, kitchens etc, any room in the house would be suitable.

How do I hang my glass bird in the window?

This is the most common question that I receive. I know that lots of people have bought suction hooks to hang their birds on the window. I don’t sell them but I know they are easy to find in your local hardware store or online. I have heard that popping a tiny blob of super-glue or clear drying silicone sealant (that you use around your bath) on the back helps to ensure they don’t fall off. I would suggest checking them regularily.

I recently discovered Nano tape which I would also recommend. It is a double-sided gel tape. I like it because it is transparent, washable and re-usable and sticks well to most surfaces and leaves no residue when you remove it. I stuck one of my little glass wrens on my lounge window and so far it is very happy and has not budged. I cut a wing shaped piece of nano tape and placed it behind the wing. Please note that both methods would need to have very clean surfaces before applying otherwise they will not adhere well.

You can also suspend the birds in front of a window. Read on to find out more.

Little Glass Wren

A personalised wren that I stuck on my window with nano tape. I made sure that both surfaces were very clean before applying the tape.

Where do I hang my glass bird?  

In front of the window.

Most people like to hang them in front of a window so they catch the sunlight as they twirl. You can either suspend it from an existing curtain rail or a hook in the ceiling or from the alcove above window. You would need to make sure it is in a place where the curtains would not flick the bird against the window.

Hanging from the curtain rail

A customer sent me this lovely example of how you can hang your bird from the curtain rail. You can see that it is hanging in the middle of the rail and well away from the window.

On the wall. 

Popping a 2mm picture pin nail into the wall is very easy to do, they are discreet and don’t create huge holes. You can then shorten the invisible thread and hang from there. My large birds come with 2mm holes big enough for a 2mm picture pin nail and then you can hang them directly up against the wall. If you would like to do this with any of your birds you can request I make a larger hole for you.

Or you can use a piece of wood. A beautiful branch or a piece of driftwood from a beachcombing adventure or found during a memorable occasion.  You can either drill a hole in the wood and mount it on the wall or you could add some string to either end and hang up against the wall from a hook. Either way you have added your personal touch to create your own piece of glass art.

colourful birds robyn coetzee fused glass  (1).jpeg

Create a beautiful focal point.

Have fun arranging each bird to make a beautiful fused glass wall display. This one is placed near a window so that when the sun is setting it casts beautiful shapes and warm colours.

From a branch

My favourite method and which would definitely suit a little flock of birds is to find a beautiful branch so that you can arrange the birds in a row and then suspend your mobile from the ceiling, in front of a window, above your bed, above a cot etc. The locations are endless.

Filling an empty space

A flock of birds would look great hanging in a row in front of an empty wall and even better if sunlight is coming in from one side.

Suspended from the ceiling

Another very simple way is one bird from a hook in the ceiling in the corner of a room, easy to do if you have a hook and set of steps.  Also why not brighten up your work space by popping a small eye hook under a shelf nearby, above your desk or in the kitchen so you can watch it twirl? The possibilities are endless.

I offer many display options

If you don’t want to hang my birds I also have standing glass birds, plant friends for lovers of indoor plants and birds, wall hanging bird plaques and birds with wooden and wire stands.

As you can see I have many variations to choose from for that person who has everything, a piece of hand created glasswork and definitely something different. You are always welcome to make a request if there is a display method that you would prefer in a bird of your choice.

The possibilities are endless. I hope I have given you some inspiration as to how to display your glass bird decoration in your home. I would also  love to see how you end up displaying them. Why not spread the love by either emailing me an image or tagging me in your image on Instagram @robyncoetzeeglass.