Making Tiffany Lamps: How to Create Museum-Quality Authentic Reproductions [Paperback]

First, I am a stained glass artist and lamp designer with 15+ years of experience working on Tiffany reproduction lamps using the Odyssey system. I am always open to learn the methods used by other artists and was eager to see what this book had to offer.

On the PLUS side, the photography is pretty good giving many images of completed and in-process lamps. However, many of the images are over-exposed which highlights the color but washes out the details (like patina color, solder work, etc.). Unfortunately, in many cases these details are exactly what the aspiring lamp artist needs to see to help perfect their artwork.

Unfortunately, there are more issues on the NEGATIVE side. First, the steps outlined and described for completion of the 22 in. Elaborate Peony will NOT complete the shade, not to mention a museum-quality shade. There's not even close-up images given of the completed shade! Why do we need an entire chapter on grouting the mold? This is the most simplest step in the process with no bearing on creating museum-quality artwork. There is basically NO MENTION OF SOLDERING TECHNIQUE nor even a listing in the steps for doing beading work. No quite sure how this could be missed, since it simply is one of the most important steps in the process! Lots of detailed images about initial tack soldering of the shade, releasing it from the mold, installing the rim wire & reinforcing, but then the text jumps right to patina finish. What gives? Personally, I believe there should be an entire chapter on beading work with lots of detailed images of what the author believes is an acceptable finish. I think most lamp artists would greatly benefit by seeing the level of soldering expertise that would warrant a museum-quality piece. Skipping it all is just not right.

Chapter 3, Selecting the Art Glass, is another travesty. Selecting glass deserves so much more attention. The author makes this statement at the start of Chapter 3; "It would take a separate book to even begin to scratch the surface of educating first-time lamp artists on the types and varieties of art glass and how to best go about selecting and using the glass in Tiffany lamp reproductions." Well, you may be right, BUT THAT INFORMATION IS EXACTLY WHAT IS NEEDED TO CREATE HIGH-QUALITY STAINED GLASS LAMPS! Without that information you have no way to be successful at your books title: "How to Create Museum-Quality Authentic Reproductions". Maybe you should have written the glass selection book first! The author provides a listing of the glass selected for the Peony lamp, but does not provide images of the selected glass nor provides any text to outline the reasons for the selection. Hmmmm, this is not going well! It doesn't get much better.

In chapter 8, Applying a Patina and Finishing, the author basically states that the only way to get a high-quality patina is to have the shade electroplated. This obviously will provide you a more substantial cooper-base to work from which will enhance the patina, but the reality is that most commission artists simply do not deal with electroplating and end up with very nice looking patina finishes. This is an expensive and time consuming process and the author does NOT provide any useful information about the electroplating process. If he believes this is so important then he should provide information like how to find reasonable plating companies (at least provide info on the plater you use), what are the cost ranges, and how to ensure you get a quality plating result (and what to do when you don't!). Again, details matter, and the reader is again left wondering.

If you're just looking for some decent images of lamps to use as a basis for glass selection, then this book is OK. Just don't expect much from the text nor believe that following the steps provided will get you a high-quality result. We all deserve better.

Simple and easy to read. Very well illustrated with steps that are easy to follow. Loved the book! Recommend it others!