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The following
article, from Volume 21 No.1, February 2002,
gives a brief synopsis of the origin of Glass on Metal Magazine.
Milestones
by Woodrow W. Carpenter
Glass on Metal
 Glass on Metal's Volume 1, No.
1, January 1982, was mailed mid December, 1981. It had
germinated for more than 30 years. In 1947, I became
interested in enamel as an art medium when I met some well known
artists who worked with enamel. By 1952, I was
manufacturing and selling enamel colors. Some time during
this time period, I wondered if art enameling would grow as
industrial enameling had, if artists were given more opportunity
to learn about the material and have an exchange of good
reliable information. The thought kept coming to mind but
there was never enough time, until - about mid summer, 1981, we
had more visiting enamelers than usual. Most were
relatively new to the art, but very enthusiastic and eager to
learn. The problem: they were from small towns with
no enamel books in their libraries and no one else in their
areas to talk enamel. One day, as one of the visitors
left, I mentioned my long-time interest in publishing a
newsletter to Bill Helwig, only to find he had long been working
on a book. In less than thirty minutes, decisions were
made. We would start publishing the first of the following
year; Bill would be the editor, and it would be called Glass on
Metal, the two basic materials of enameling.
The issue was
prepared and mailed to everyone on Thompson's customer
list. A copy was inserted into each order shipped.
Extra copies were sent to our distributors, foreign as well as
domestic. The first subscription to come in was from
Vivian Kline, of Cincinnati, Ohio, a long time friend. She
had not only been a faithful subscriber throughout the past
twenty years, she has assisted us in preparing most of the 111
issues for mailing, by helping to put them in envelopes and
applying the labels.
 The first issue
contained twelve black and white pages. By Volume 6, No.
6, it had grown to twenty four pages, eight being in color on a
regular basis. After a little more than twelve years,
starting with Volume 13, No. 3, we started claiming it a
magazine rather than a newsletter.
During the first
fourteen years, Glass on Metal was published six times a
year. From Volume 15 to the present, it has been published
five times in alternate years, and four times in the years in
between.
Jean Tudor has
compiled two comprehensive indexes. One covers Volumes
1-14, and the second Volume 15-17. She is presently
working on one for Volumes 18-20. Jean has provided a
great benefit for us all in compiling these indexes.
We believe Glass on
Metal has achieved a major milestone in publishing and
exchanging information about enamel, unequaled elsewhere.
This is most certainly due to our writers, many of whom have
contributed throughout most of our 20 years. We are very
grateful for them making Glass on Metal what it is today.
The Enamelist Society
The Enamelist Society was incorporated
in July, 1986. In August, Thompson mailed a four page
brochure to all subscribers and customers, providing information
about the Society. The brochure also provided information
about the first conference and exhibition to be held in August
1987. The February 1987 issue of Glass on Metal carried a
price of $22.50 per year for Glass on Metal only, and $33.00 per
year including membership in the Society. Eighteen months
later, we offered Glass on Metal, without membership, only to
schools and libraries. Three years later, the price was
the same to everyone, with everyone being a member.
Enamel Museum
In August 1991, the museum was
established to exhibit both historical and contemporary
enamels. At the present, almost 800 enamels, dating from
circa 200 AD to the present are on display. Sixty seven of
the enamels have been donated to the Enamelist Society Museum.
The Enamel Museum is open by appointment seven days a
week. The unique part of our museum is you are allowed to
touch most of the enamels.
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