How to Create a Stained Glass Project©
Posted: Friday, May 06, 2011
by Arlene Wright-Correll
http://www.learn-america.com
This week’s question asks: “My friend and I were discussing stained glass creation and she says it is an easy craft to do and I said it was a hard craft to learn and do. Which one of us is right?”
Well, here at Avalon Stained Glass School, we would have to agree with your friend. Based on both our personal experiences it is a very easy craft to learn though over the centuries it has had a lot of mystery with it and simply because in ancient times most stained glass projects were big church windows and big projects look intimidating and complicated.
Based on 12 years of teaching people how to create stained glass projects we have found that there are 2 very hard things about stained glass creation.
One is choosing a pattern or design to create and the second thing is choosing the colors. Most students agonize over those two things. However, most artists and creators of anything agonize over those two things on any project. I do not know how long it often takes me to decide what to paint and what colors to use. I have a weaver friend who does the same thing when she decides to start a new project and the same goes for another friend of mine who is a potter.
Once you get past those two things the rest is a piece of cake! No talent is truly needed. You will need two copies of the same pattern and you will number the sections identically. Matter of fact the best thing to do is number your chosen pattern sections first and then have a copy made and if the pattern needs to be enlarged then this is the time to do it. With a good instructor you will quickly learn how to master the few tools you need such as a special pair of scissors that allows you to cut one of your chosen patterns correctly. The other remains uncut.
Then you will learn which way the textures of your chosen glass goes, how to attach the cut up pattern pieces to the glass, trace around them, cut the glass and number each piece identically to the pattern piece number. At this point you will decide which glass cutter is right for you. Carl likes the pistol grip one and I prefer the smaller saddle cutter. Most of us only recognize the standard steel wheel glass cutter, yet very few stained glass artists use this type. It is all just a matter of preference.
Now you will learn how easily it is to grind each piece so it fits perfectly unto your cut pattern piece. As you cut and grind each piece you will then lay that numbered piece in the exact position onto your large uncut pattern. Eventually you will have cut all your pieces, ground and numbered each piece of glass as you go and return them to your uncut pattern filling it in like a puzzle.
You are now ready to foil each piece with copper foil and as you do so returning them to your pattern. Once they are all foiled you will be able to tack solder some of them in place. Foiled pieces are coated with flux so the solder will adhere to them and flow smoothly. After tack soldering you will completely solder one whole side and then carefully turn over and solder the other side.
The next step is simply cleaning your piece of the numbers and flux, etching your name and date into the corner and then if your project is a panel you will decide to frame it with either a zinc, copper or wood frame in order to hang it in your window
Now you have completed something beautiful in about 8 easy steps you have created a future family heirloom. There are some nice side benefits to stained glass creation. All the small left over pieces of glass is usually made into smaller projects such as night lights, sun catches, wind chimes and more that make great all year round gifts for family and friends. Going further, those left over pieces from these little projects usually wind up in mosaics thus showing you that there is very little waste from this fine craft.
You may want to start with a small project at a studio or school that supplies everything you need so you can decide whether or not this craft is for you without making a large investment into tools. Small projects usually can be done in 3 hours and large 2 ft. by 2 ft. panels usually take beginners about 30 hours or less depending on the student and these hours can be broken up into sessions convenient to both the student and the instructor.
May the Creative Force be with you!
Arlene Wright-Correll
Well, here at Avalon Stained Glass School, we would have to agree with your friend. Based on both our personal experiences it is a very easy craft to learn though over the centuries it has had a lot of mystery with it and simply because in ancient times most stained glass projects were big church windows and big projects look intimidating and complicated.
One is choosing a pattern or design to create and the second thing is choosing the colors. Most students agonize over those two things. However, most artists and creators of anything agonize over those two things on any project. I do not know how long it often takes me to decide what to paint and what colors to use. I have a weaver friend who does the same thing when she decides to start a new project and the same goes for another friend of mine who is a potter.
Once you get past those two things the rest is a piece of cake! No talent is truly needed. You will need two copies of the same pattern and you will number the sections identically. Matter of fact the best thing to do is number your chosen pattern sections first and then have a copy made and if the pattern needs to be enlarged then this is the time to do it. With a good instructor you will quickly learn how to master the few tools you need such as a special pair of scissors that allows you to cut one of your chosen patterns correctly. The other remains uncut.
Then you will learn which way the textures of your chosen glass goes, how to attach the cut up pattern pieces to the glass, trace around them, cut the glass and number each piece identically to the pattern piece number. At this point you will decide which glass cutter is right for you. Carl likes the pistol grip one and I prefer the smaller saddle cutter. Most of us only recognize the standard steel wheel glass cutter, yet very few stained glass artists use this type. It is all just a matter of preference.
Now you will learn how easily it is to grind each piece so it fits perfectly unto your cut pattern piece. As you cut and grind each piece you will then lay that numbered piece in the exact position onto your large uncut pattern. Eventually you will have cut all your pieces, ground and numbered each piece of glass as you go and return them to your uncut pattern filling it in like a puzzle.
You are now ready to foil each piece with copper foil and as you do so returning them to your pattern. Once they are all foiled you will be able to tack solder some of them in place. Foiled pieces are coated with flux so the solder will adhere to them and flow smoothly. After tack soldering you will completely solder one whole side and then carefully turn over and solder the other side.
The next step is simply cleaning your piece of the numbers and flux, etching your name and date into the corner and then if your project is a panel you will decide to frame it with either a zinc, copper or wood frame in order to hang it in your window
Now you have completed something beautiful in about 8 easy steps you have created a future family heirloom. There are some nice side benefits to stained glass creation. All the small left over pieces of glass is usually made into smaller projects such as night lights, sun catches, wind chimes and more that make great all year round gifts for family and friends. Going further, those left over pieces from these little projects usually wind up in mosaics thus showing you that there is very little waste from this fine craft.
You may want to start with a small project at a studio or school that supplies everything you need so you can decide whether or not this craft is for you without making a large investment into tools. Small projects usually can be done in 3 hours and large 2 ft. by 2 ft. panels usually take beginners about 30 hours or less depending on the student and these hours can be broken up into sessions convenient to both the student and the instructor.
May the Creative Force be with you!
Arlene Wright-Correll
This Article has been viewed 197 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.