Barry Slee

Barry has spent almost 30 years in the award and recognition industry. As the founder of the Slee Corporation and its CrystalEdge brand, his innovative award-winning product designs have led the industry. Barry is an expert in glass and crystal design and manufacturing, and he is a regular contributor of articles and educational content to the industry. Barry can be reached by email at barryslee@mac.com.

Education

Barry SleeJuly 5, 2023

Glass & Crystal: A Profitable Addition

A question that many trophy and award shop owners have asked me during my 30 years in this industry is,…
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Education

Barry SleeJanuary 24, 2022

Engraving Glass and Crystal vs. Acrylic

Glass, crystal, and acrylic substrates are all easy to engrave, but they are not well suited to the same method…
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Education

Barry SleeJanuary 14, 2022

What to Consider When Planning Your Sandcarving Shop Layout

Abrasive etching — more commonly known as sandblasting or sandcarving — is a process that requires some careful thought when…
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Education

Barry SleeNovember 23, 2021

Awards: Annealed Glass vs. Tempered Glass

Annealed glass is glass that has been very slowly cooled after it has been made at over 1,500 F. This…
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Education

Barry SleeOctober 8, 2021

Why Color is Popular in Glass and Crystal Awards

With around 80% of all glass and crystal awards being used for corporate recognition, the choice of being able to…
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Education

Barry SleeOctober 8, 2021

Why It’s Important to Focus on Mid-Price Glass and Crystal Awards

We all love to show and promote high-end, glamorous glass and crystal awards. These are the pinnacle of what the…
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Education

Barry SleeSeptember 17, 2021

Tips for Using a Razor Blade on Glass Awards

In the awards industry, a razor blade is often used to cut and scrape out excess cured adhesive after bonding…
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Education

Barry SleeJune 9, 2021

Fun Fact: Glass is One of the Most Infinitely Recyclable Materials on the Planet

Glass is one of only a few natural materials on earth that is virtually infinitely recyclable. It can be recycled…
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Education

Barry SleeMay 18, 2021

How Holes Are Drilled in Glass

The answer: It’s not easy. Any material that is extremely hard (meaning glass, granite, concrete, etc.) cannot be precision drilled…
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Education

Barry SleeMay 4, 2021

How UV-Cured Adhesive Works

The majority of adhesives (glue) start the curing process when exposed to air. While in a container or a tube,…
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Education

Barry SleeApril 28, 2021

Colored Mirror Products Explained

It’s a question I often get: Is the mirror color in the mirror backing, or is it in the glass…
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Education

Barry SleeApril 8, 2021

The Best Method for Bonding Glass to a Wood Base

Bonding glass to a wood base is commonplace for those in the awards and recognition industry, but many ask this…
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Education

Barry SleeMarch 5, 2021

Jade vs. Crystal Clear Glass: Which is Harder?

This question comes up a lot in the awards and recognition industry. From a technical perspective, both jade and crystal…
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Education

Barry SleeFebruary 15, 2021

Best Method for Etching Mirror Products

In my opinion, the CO2 laser is one of the most cost-effective and fastest ways to engrave mirror products. Abrasive…
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Education

Barry SleeFebruary 9, 2021

How to Avoid Scratching Glass Awards

Unfortunately, avoiding scratches on glass is easier said than done. First and foremost, it’s good to know why glass gets…
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Education

Barry SleeJanuary 25, 2021

The 411 on Direct Printing on Glass

Direct printing on glass has been around for several years and first became popular in Europe to print large glass…
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