ABSONITE WORLD NEWSLETTER, volume 5 issue 1, 3rd quarter 2003: (version 1.09) PAGE 1: "UP FRONT" WESTPORT, CT -- The Final Touches of a great work accomplishment. Photographers were on location to capture the School's dedication. Absonite created the highly detailed carvings including the Town Seal on the 2) 24'' x 60'', 3/8'' thick laminated safety glass with mitered polished edges. Each panel was imaged in the highest resolution, and enlarged films were created. The layouts included the written dedication and brief history on one panel. The additional glass panel contained the names of "everyone involved" including all the professionals, architects, contractors, sub-contractors, committee's, politicians; you name it, if they participated, they were included on this plaque. The highly detailed City Emblem line art and etching portrays a historical view of Westport's harbor in it's heyday with the original Route 1 draw bridge crossing over the Saugatuck River. If you look closely at the etched plaque you can see the town hall on... Dedication at the Westport / Saugatuck Elementary School. "KEEPING PACE" BRIDGEPORT, CT -- Absonite Glassworks is keeping pace with the demand for making high quality carved and etched specialty glass, satisfying corporate, commercial, residential, and artistic clientele. Offering all the benefits of a large company... with all the personal service of a small company. We can help realize the plan and enhance the ambience of projects, of which etched glass is a part. Celebrate the year by creating something personally satisfying! "WORLD WIDE WEB" WORLDWIDE - Expanding the Absonite Website. Available worldwide, 24 hours a day, via the World Wide Web, this newsletter is on-line!!! In full color, motion, and sound, wherever possible. Just click on the pictures, or use the links at the bottom of the page for a fast view. Absonite.com looks at the past, the present, and the future of working with you. But we won't spoil the fun here, you'll have to experience it for yourself. A frame from Absonite's Internet website at http://absonite.com PAGE 2: Personal "SAILING LIBRARY" FAIRFIELD, CT -- Beautifully decorated library doors make for a serene and contemplative entrance. The two door lites form a coastal landscape scene with sail boats practicing maneuvers. The shoreline reeds and plants accent the boats and are etched using a multistaging technique to accentuate the perspective and dimensionality. The 2) 24" x 72", 3/8" thick laminated safety glass panels with seamed edges are each multistage carved, shaded and frosted to fine detail. A "one of a kind" pleasure to behold. These etched glass panels will adorn this library for many generations to come. Watch the aerial fly-by catch the sailboat sailing by the library. "WINDOWS" WESTPORT, CT -- Having an "openness to windows" allows you to be creative with glass. Whether exterior, or interior, for decorative use or for privacy, take ordinary glass and transform the ordinary into a highly personalized window. In areas where you want to see the daylight and yet conceal the view, obscure the view with frosted glass. Consider the addition of clear details to allow more of the view to show through. Having an openness to windows lets you see the daylight on problems, like privacy issues. So depending on your point of view, consider using Absonite's fine frosted glass, and open the window. "COLUMNS AND VINES" DARIEN, CT -- This "Columns and Vines" project came through an ASID Interior Designer located in Stamford. She coordinated the client's desire for a wood paneled library and natural relaxed setting by integrating the themes from the foyer. This resulted in a modern yet classical feel. The combination of rich wood tones with etched glass, lit from recessed incandescent lighting, makes the library entrance look warm and inviting. Absonite created the 2) 18'' x 40'' lites, using 1/4'' tempered safety glass. The symmetrical design allowed a complimentary flipped vine and column pattern to embellish a cozy residential library setting in an arched image. The final glass sizes and installation were provided by the millwork responsible for fabricating the doors and custom woodworking throughout the library. PAGE 3: PERSONAL CONTINUED "CHORAL REEF" COLCHESTER, CT -- The client's goal to create decorative etched glass to withstand the test of time was fulfilled. The artwork for the etchings was inspired by Joanne Book's work, a Florida painter famous for her underwater scenes. The new art required significant interpretation for three dimensional relief carving. This project took about 4 months to complete including line art preparation for the 5) 60" x 72" coral reef etchings, and the 1) 65" x 75" tropical etching overlooking the jacuzzi. Long lead times allow far more detail to be included. The fish etchings are quite accurate in their portrayal of their actual fish counterparts. These coral etchings display the different coral species quite accurately. Submerged with underwater coral reef etchings. "CHILDREN'S ROOM" SOUTHPORT, CT -- Decorating for the new addition of a "child" to the family spawned the need for an additional room. The design was lifted from a furniture fabric and converted into etchable line art for the client. The glass is fitted in the doorway transom to adorn the room entrance. As light passes through the room the etched glass takes on many different moods. The carousel motif used in a garden setting is both playful and elegant. The bear, ducks and horse enjoy the ride while the monkey has all the fun swinging. Delightful Fancy Carousel etching for the nursery. "BATHROOM SUITE" GREENWICH, CT -- Adorning the home of the Greenwich residents, these vertical etched lites are 4) matching doorway sidelights for the "his and hers" commodes. The pattern on the left is a fine solid frost with the floral graphic remaining clear glass. The hanging basket etchings shown to the right, contain the floral cornucopia motif etchings. These room dividing windows frame the jacuzzi in the center, of this luxurious master bath. Absonite created the floral bouquet hanging baskets artwork to catch the plentiful available light, decorate the room spaces with elegant etchings, and convey a hint of privacy. These deep carved floral details stand out quite vividly. Brilliant! An etched floral bouquet with carved, frosted, and shaded details. PAGE 4: CORPORATE "WWF" STAMFORD, CT -- The World Wrestling Federation's executive suite, headquartered in Stamford, recently renovated from the ground up. Shown are inside and outside views of the suite entrance. Notice the dramatic difference between fluorescent and incandescent lighting and how lighting effects coloring the glass in the environment. The bold "WW" etched design created by the architect lets you know at a glance just where you are. Working with the client's glaziers, Absonite provided the service of etching the details with a fine solid frost. Etched Executive Suite Entrance; World Wrestling Federation. "PONDS INSTITUTE" TRUMBULL, CT -- Pond's area for personal consultation. This dramatic yet subtle signage uses the soft appearance of frosted glass with contrasting clear glass logo, through which a carefully faux painted background shows through. Through the use of recessed down spot lighting, and additional floor lighting, the softness of finely frosted glass is enhanced which helps to create a relaxed mood. The project required 1) 65" x 101", 1/4" thick tempered safety glass, with a fine solid frost, frosted text logo, and logo background remaining clear glass "RISK CAPITAL" Greenwich, CT -- Where privacy is the first and foremost priority: a Fine Solid Frost completely obscures the view. Use of translucent etched glass offers a soft warm glow in contrast with textural interiors. Clear glass detail lines align with motifs in the room's wall coverings. PAGE 5: CORPORATE CONTINUED "SSARIS & RXR" STAMFORD, CT -- Absonite was hired to create, deliver and install the new SSARIS etched glass signage for use in the doorways using 1/4'' laminated safety glass, with carved text and SSARIS logo. Located at what was formerly known as the RXR Group, the new SSARIS graphic makes an understated message letting you know where you are the moment you're there! The custom fine crafted mahogany wood doors frame and accentuate Absonite's carved glass signage depicting the SSARIS text graphics. The RXR logo remains in view for it's artistic and sentimental values "SCHICK WILKINSON SWORD" MILFORD, CT -- New Products, New Owners and a New Look! Absonite was hired by the GC to fabricate and deliver the completed glass to the Connecticut manufacturing facility. The graphics are deep carved into low iron glass and edgelit with recessed lighting, with the corporate identity blue color behind the etchings. The Low Iron glass permits light within the glass to travel farther than traditional annealed glass. The photographic quality graphics of the corporate signage distinguishes this project from the more architectural applications of etched glass. EAST COAST: "UNIQUE!!" EAST COAST, USA -- Since every job is custom, every project is unique. Some projects are more unique than others. It's in the application of custom etched glass that one finds and satisfies their own unique and creative inclinations. However varied or extravagant your tastes are for personal enjoyment, express it in a unique way with custom etched glass by Absonite Glassworks. Alexandria, VA: MetropolitanENT head and neck surgeons, used 1/2" thick annealed glass, with a template cut shape and pencil polished edges to convey their precision logo carving. The etching in the edgelit glass glows a bright green. The green tint of glass is due to it's iron content. Washington, DC: Allied Signal logo etched on flask, and bottom of flask removed by carving. The flask was then filled with tiny Christmas and holiday trinkets and toys, then photographed and used as a Corporate Holiday Greeting Card. Cape Cod, MA: A military family commissioned an etching to bring some beach into their beach house... The etching captures the perspective and natural setting of the client's favorite views, creating a privacy screen between the kitchen and the formal dining room. Hartford, CT: Sidelites next to the fireplace contain the claddagh, demonstrating the Irish heritage in etched glass. The stone cottage's front door uses frosted glass with vine motif and snowflake center detail in clear glass to warm the heart, and retain full privacy. PAGE 6: COMMUNITY: "CITY OF HARTFORD" HARTFORD, CT -- The City Of Hartford completed it's renovation and Absonite provided the beautiful new Town Seals in elegant multistaged deep carved etchings. The artwork for the seals while looking great in print in miniature size, needed to be carefully reworked digitally at full size to allow a true three dimensional rendering in etched glass. Part of Absonite's service and dedication to high quality. The majesty and grace of the Hartford City Building is in good company with Absonite Glassworks. "ST. JOHN'S DEDICATION" MAHOPAC, NY -- Saint John The Evangelist Church created an ornately detailed transom glass and dedicated it to the Blessed Sisters Of Mercy. The transom etching was created using 3/8" thick laminated safety glass cut in a rectangular shape to fit the overhead transom area located in the elementary school doorway. The original crest of the school artwork was provided and modified by Absonite to create this fine dedication transom etching. The etching uses the shading technique weaved throughout the decorative ribbon details. The detail photos were taken at the Absonite Studio, but to see the etchings in all their brilliant beauty, you must see them at entrance to the school gymnasium. St. John's School, Mahopac, NY "WELCOME TO THE THEATRE" WORLDWIDE -- This area is dedicated to the project currently being worked on in the Absonite studio. Click on the photo and the most recent MPEG video, QuickTime movie or slideshow will begin. You may see your project being created here in this space... This is absonite in that the images here displayed can be viewed simultaneously, at any time, in any time zone universally, and also absonite in that it depicts Absonite's elegant etched glass. Both meanings are descriptive of dimensions, of time and space, and of Absonite's etched glass. Absonite is proud to be a member of the universal community. http://absonite.com/show/theatre.html "...UP FRONT..." (continued from page 1) ...the hill. Absonite Glassworks unique photographic etching process permits highly detailed artwork to be transferred into beautiful etched glass. A great deal of care and attention was payed to even the smallest details. The grand opening celebration at the Saugatuck Westport School closes the door on the old and begins again a new with an "Up Front"!!! PAGE 7: COMMERCIAL: "FAMOUS PIZZA" Famous Pizza!! BRIDGEPORT, CT -- Famous for it's Pizza! Also true of Absonite's custom etched glass. 20) 3/8" thick tempered safety and laminated safety glass types, template cut shapes and polished edges. Two types of dining rooms required two types of well matched artwork, casual and formal. Absonite's use of custom welded 2" diameter all-brass partition posts, polish off the room dividing panels. However, these posts are permanently sealed and require no polishing. "MANHATTAN FITNESS" EAST HAVEN, CT -- Absonite's etched glass compliments the Manhattan Fitness theme. Both a statue of liberty AND an empire state building adorns the fitness center. Privacy in the aerobic rooms dictated the use of frosted glass with clear logos. Whereas clear glass with frosted logos is used in all the doors. The reception area glass divider welcomes members, reduces noise, and allows the receptionist an open view. "PENNY'S DINER" FAIRFIELD, CT -- Having such good taste, the owner's provided the line art for their etchings portraying historical Greek mythological scenes for their Penny's Diner located in Fairfield. The Greek multistaged carvings interact with even low light settings, as the three dimensional carvings catch any available light. Examples of the characters in the etched scenes include Zues... Apollo... the Vulcan... and others, Athena... Orpheus... and Horse and Chariots. A beautiful environment to enjoy dinner with ambiance. On this project, Absonite provided the services of interpreting the line art and etching the lovely three dimensional relief carvings; the glass itself, hardware and installation was provided by the client's glazing company. What better place to have good taste in fine etched glass art ...than at Penny's Diner! Penny's Diner in Fairfield adorned with gracious etchings of mythological characters. Each Seating has it's own story. MASTHEAD: Absonite Glassworks is located at 480 Barnum Av.-Suite 8, The Bridgeport Trade and Technology Center, Bridgeport, CT 06608. and also at: http://absonite.com Owners, Authors and Staff writers are: Victoria Mullen and Daniel Nemec. Published from time to time, in an absonite way. All photographs taken by Absonite photographers. Advertisers inquiries welcomed. Š2003-2008, Victoria L. Mullen and Daniel A. Nemec, All Rights Reserved. Absonite and Absonite Glassworks are trademarks in the process of being registered. All other logos and names are the registered trademarks of their respective owners. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language, in full or in part without the written permission of the authors and copyright owners. PAGE 8: Leading the trend reversal from ordinary mundane glass use, Absonite Glassworks produces the finest specialty glass available. Servicing all facets of the construction industry, providing commercial, corporate, and residential clients with specialty glass for any project. Be it new building or renovation, Absonite is the source for quality etched glass. Through our design process, prompt and competitive pricing, and quick lead times, we consistently and reliably produce a quality product. Our ability to supply and process all types of glass, of any size or shape, makes Absonite the preferred specialty glass supplier. Generally, people are becoming more aware of the role of glass in their environments, and benefit from Absonite's skill, craftsmanship and technique, to create high quality etched glass. Many are discovering glass can be enhanced to serve functionally. For privacy, etched glass allows available light to pass, while obscuring the view. Unlimited artistic expression in boundless aesthetic pursuit, is achieved through Absonite's disciplined control and processing. Creating three dimensional reverse relief sand carvings, that capture light in it's sparkling iridescence, makes a classic statement of style that speaks for itself with distinction and taste. It's taken for granted that glass is to be seen through, not looked at. This is where Absonite's trend reversal from ordinary glass use, to fun and functional glass use becomes apparent. Architectural art glass manufacturing is what we do. Absonite offers significant savings by utilizing the experience gained from every previous project. That wisdom is incorporated into every new project. Working on both wholesale and retail levels, we'll work with you or your client to develop a coherent design based on your tastes and direction. Often we work directly with the end client on a design level to ensure their satisfaction, while billing is done through your company as part of your custom service. We make it easy to fulfill any client's requests for unique architectural details. Absonite Glassworks welcomes new clients who are interested in etched and specialty glass for all applications. Etched Glass Terminology Etching - refers to abrading the glass surface; changing the surface of glass with a micro-abrasive; including frosting, carving or shading glass. Frosting - an even, solid etch, frosted white; good for privacy. Carving - a deep etch which gives a three dimensional appearance by catching light in the edges; bas relief. Shading - an uneven frosting technique, usually used to create an image of depth without carving; a sophisticated alternative to frosting. Multistaging - the layering of stages to create the image of one element in front of another element; e.g., some rose petals being over other petals to give a three dimensional effect. This process is used with carving or shading techniques. Gluechipping - a surface process which resembles an icy frost on the surface of the glass; used to obscure the glass or as an artistic alternative. Resist - a special coating on glass that will resist abrasion. Absonite, (ab´se nīt) - 1) Among realities... of the transcendental level. 2) Things or beings that have no beginning and no end. 3) Things that take place which are not limited by time or space. 4) Doing the absolute best, in a finite world. 5) Quality carved and etched glass. Details from Penny's Diner. (see page 5)