Cut flowers come and go, but elegant glassware is a joy forever. When choosing a vase, selecting one that is just as pretty without flowers as it is while holding them means it will always have a place at the table (or on the mantle).
"I always see the glass half full. I see the beauty in others, and I see the hope for tomorrow. If we don't have hope and faith, we have nothing." - Craig Sager, sports journalist.
Does your laboratory use an autoclave? Do not place glassware containing corrosive or volatile materials inside. Also, to ensure the glass can withstand the heat and pressure from an autoclave, use only borosilicate glassware.
Take care when drying fine glassware. Synthetic fabrics may scratch the surface, especially if the glass is painted or otherwise decorated. Cotton or linen works best.
Match the glass to the beer: The Weizen (wheat beer) Glass has thinner walls and luxurious curves to accentuate the larger heads produced by these beers and to heighten the visual appeal and concentrate aromas.
Obsidian is not the only type of naturally-occurring glass. Glass that is formed during a lightning strike is known as fulgurite. The glass beads that are created when a meteor strikes the earth are known as tektite.
If you collect fine wines, invest in wine glasses that showcase your collection. Serving wine in its appropriate vessel is the best way to reveal and appreciate its true character.
Does your designer set of glassware consist of the brand names of jelly and jam manufacturers? While this may be fine for a quick sip from the tap, treat yourself to a set of elegant glassware to use for special occasions.
Mirrors are made by first coating the surface with tin to facilitate bonding, and then painted with either silver or aluminum to provide the reflective characteristics. The backing is then painted to complete the process.
Do you have glassware that you would like to have engraved? Laser engraving is one of the most effective processes, especially for delicate glass, including crystal.
The height and circumference of a wine glass rim are designed to direct the wine to the proper areas of the mouth. Tall and narrow directs the wine further into the mouth and onto the tongue, while shorter and wider places the wine more towards the tip of the tongue, and brings the nose into play.
Cut glass is one of the oldest forms of decorative glass and of glass fashioned as art. It is made using different types of abrasive materials and cutting wheels, and is configured into the shapes desired. The development of cut glass dates back to the ancient Romans.
"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within." - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
The bowls of red wine glasses are fuller and rounder with larger openings than those found on other wine glasses, and they provide greater interaction with air so the complexities of the wine are more readily appreciated.
Just as fine wines and elegant cocktails all have their de facto glasses designed for greater enjoyment of their distinctive characteristics, so too does beer have its array of vessels that enhance the profiles of its myriad styles.
The lead in lead crystal will not affect you when you drink from it because it combines with the glass material in a way that renders it harmless. However, if you leave red wine in lead crystal overnight, the wine will stain the glass and require extra effort to clean.
Have you ever sat a table and wondered whose glass is whose? When a table is properly set, your glasses are always to the upper right of your plate. There can be as many as four, depending on the number of beverages being served.
The tulip beer glass is designed specifically for Scottish ales and Belgian Abbey ales. The bulbous body and flared lip allows for proper head development while concentrating aromas that showcase the complexity of these ancient brews.
You can make your wedding or anniversary even more special by having commemorative glasses designed for the celebration. Glasses can be hand painted or etched with the names of the celebrants for a permanent reminder of the day.
Be careful when drying fine glassware. Synthetic fabrics may be harder than the glass and can scratch the surface. This is especially true if the glass is painted or otherwise decorated. Cotton or linen works best.
Hand painted glassware may require taking special care during cleaning. Some cleaning chemicals can react negatively with the paint, causing it to fade or peel, or they can cause the glass itself to appear cloudy.
The stems on wine glasses are there for a specific reason – to keep the wine at the appropriate temperature while the glass is being held. When a hand wraps around the bowl, body heat will transfer to the wine.