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Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 1376
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i would love to know if anyone does stained glass and how / what you need to get started?
Friends make life worth living...
http://s75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/rudyroo/
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Joined: 12/22/2007
Posts: 692
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Hi rudy! I have done stained glass. I'll have to put some pix in my photo bucket. I took classes from 2 different people. Every teacher has a little different way of doing it. I haven't done any since i started fusing glass, but want to get back to some. I have lots of patterns. Basically, you need the glass, glass cutter, some lead came or copper tape, and a soldering iron. It is fun to see it all come together.
Lil
http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/gmalil/
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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You should check ebay for starting kits.
A good thing to have is a grinder, though you may find it a big investment, I think it's worth it. Again, I found a good price on ebay for that.
You also need a space to work. I don't know when I'll be able to do stained glass again, unless I do it outside in the summer. Tiny bits of glass like to fly.
Michelle
http://www.forest-of-dreams.com
Christmas at my house, 2007
http://www.forest-of-dreams.com/Christmas.html
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Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 1376
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Thanks Lil and Michelle for the info! and yes lil, would love to see pics! and other then the lead, i have the ingredients...lol michelle, i have a small hand grinder (just a regular tool i think)- not sure why i have it or where it came from but does it have to be a special one for glass??
http://s75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/rudyroo/
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Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 558
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I tried using my rotary tool for grinding, but it was difficult. But you could give it a try. You need it to even out rough edges if the glass didn't break nicely. It also roughs up the really smooth edges for the foil to stick. I sometimes need it for shaping on the difficult pieces.
I've never used lead came yet. Just copper tape and solder. Yep, it's an expensive hobby, but I guess it's still cheaper to make things yourself than to buy already made stained glass peices.
Michelle
http://www.forest-of-dreams.com
Christmas at my house, 2007
http://www.forest-of-dreams.com/Christmas.html
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Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 547
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I have just dabbled in it, Rudy..... on my list as one of my goals this year!!!
catmac...(Maine) Lifetime member, lifetime crafter
"Dreams are what crafters bring to life in the form of Art"
Cat’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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Is it possible to 'paint' stained glass on a window? I still have the window in the craft room that needs to be....covered up? I was thinking if i could put some kind of design on the window to prevent the sun (cold & heat) and 'nosey eyes' it would not only look good but serve a dual purpose. I'm sure there's a 'name' for it and i probably will have to buy some supplies, but i haven't the slightest idea where to start :( . I've tried two different kinds of 'sprays' and neither one lasted more than a few weeks. I know i've inquired about this before but it was on the 'OTHER BOARDS' and i have NO idea where they 'MOVED' to hehehehehe. I'll check back (if i can remember where this thread is) later, thanks to all that can help or suggest :)
Janel aka Scootchie
GAINESVILLE - NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA
Everyone needs an Angel,...at least one Scootchie's Photobucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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Janel...you can use the gallery glass..you start with the liquid leading (or you can purchase ready made lead strips now too) and then do your designs... If you go into my photo bucket, under interior design, you will see a pattern i did on a large panel for someone..it was done in the same design and colours that were on their table lamps...it really is easy to do...
Rudy
SE Ontario, Canada
Life Member
Rudy’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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I use quite a bit of the Gallery glass paints, altho you can also use markers, and I believe acrylics if you put the right additive with it..... So, Michelle, could the rough edges be why I have trouble getting the tape to stick??
catmac...(Maine) Lifetime member, lifetime crafter
"Dreams are what crafters bring to life in the form of Art"
Cat’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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The edges can be a little rough, just like when you need to rough something up to paint it. You just don't want really jagged edges.
Make sure the glass is clean, of course. Also, tape that is really old won't stick very well.
Michelle, Manitoba Canada
http://www.forest-of-dreams.com
My blog
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Joined: 2/16/2008
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I'm pretty new at stained glass - just took a class at one of our local adult ed courses and was AMAZED at how easy it was! I really enjoy the cutting, grinding and foiling. The soldering hasn't come quite as quickly - but I'll keep trying! I've done about every craft out there and this is one of my favorites. I'm thinking I'd like to make a stained glass window for my bedroom and do an applique quilt to match. I haven't learned all the terms and techniques yet, so if anyone has any suggestions on books or dvd's I'd appreciate it.
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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Sewmore, your project idea sounds beautiful! it is nice to have you here with us... There is a new members forum , if you want to hop over there and introduce yourself...
Rudy
SE Ontario, Canada
Life Member
Rudy’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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I’ve got the supplies but need to get some glass. I’m brand new to the process and hope to give it a try this spring when I can have windows open in my work room.
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Pixie
(life member)
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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me too pix..just waiting to get started!
Rudy’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 2/26/2008
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Hi Rudy, glad to hear you have an interest in Stained Glass, it is great FUN. I started about 8 years ago when I lived in Virginia and it has become a passion. I moved back to my home state of Maine about 18 months ago and have just finished setting up my workshop and small kiln, loving every minute. I've attached a photo of my most favorite self-designed pieces.
File Attachment(s):
 Doll Lamp.jpg (7125 bytes)
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Joined: 12/22/2007
Posts: 692
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OHMYGOSH!!! Thar is beautiful. I've done some stained glass, I have lots of glass out there waiting to become something. In my workshop/studio that I call the LilliePad. Are you another Lillie? I NEVER see it spelled that way. I also collect dolls, so your lamp is even more interesting to me! NICE WORK! and welcome to the Boards.. Lillie in Idaho .
Lillie
gmalil’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 1376
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lillipad...the lamp is absolutely GORGEOUS! what beautiful work!!!
Rudy’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/20/2007
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WOW lilliepad that's awesome!!!!!!!!!!!
I put my heart and soul into my work and lost my mind - Vincent Van Gogh Osceola, IN.
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Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 558
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Wow is right!
Michelle, Manitoba Canada
http://www.forest-of-dreams.com
My blog
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Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 547
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Lilli.... Wow! That is awesome! And...welcome to the boards! You will just love it here. I am THRILLED to see another Mainer...where abouts in Maine do you live? I live in the Greater Portland area..
catmac...(Maine) Lifetime member, lifetime crafter
"Dreams are what crafters bring to life in the form of Art"
Cat’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 2/16/2008
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Also, I have read about a soldier, that doesn't have lead in case your pregnant or have someone in the house that is pregnant. Lead poisoning is a warning when you are working closely with stained glass for expecting women. Just want you to be safe with your new craft. Good luck!!
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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Well, I don't plan on getting pregnant again so that's not a problem, and if my girls got pregnant someone would be getting butchered! LOL Actually, I plan to work in a well ventelated area and when my kids are not around, to protect them.
I've cut out my first pieces, so I need to grind down a few pieces and then it's on to the scary part.
~
Pixie
(life member)
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Joined: 12/22/2007
Posts: 692
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There are lead-free products, making the craft safe for everyone.
Lillie
gmalil’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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I've created my first piece. It's a little off and not so perfect but I still LOVE it!
  
The mirror is 4"x6" and I framed it with blue and green textured glass.
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Pixie
(life member)
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Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 1376
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Pix...it looks absolutely gorgeous! great job!!!!
Rudy’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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Thank you Rudy. I was so intimidated by it for so long, then you all got me so intrigued that I just had to give iit a try. Now that I've made my first piece I've started another one and I am really into it!
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Pixie
(life member)
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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Pixie, you did a fantastic job. I love it. Just be sure to post pics of your next project. Jenx
Jenx’s PhotoBucket
Metamora IL/Sebring FL
(There's a very fine line between hobby and mental illness. Dave Berry)
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Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 547
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Pix... Just beautiful!!!! You took the plunge...did you like doing it? Awesome job!
catmac...(Maine) Lifetime member, lifetime crafter
"Dreams are what crafters bring to life in the form of Art"
Cat’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/22/2007
Posts: 692
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PIXIE! good work! You just might be my inspiration! I had a huge antique mirror that fell from the wall over Xmas time, and broke in half. Hubbby said i should have it cut and framed to hang back on the wall. HMMMMM? NOW I'm thinking...why not a stained glass frame???!! I have all the supplies and know how! I'll have to see how thick that baby is, I know it was awfully heavy! ....well, maybe not the energy just yet....but I will put it on my 'to do list'. More later..... Lil
Lillie
gmalil’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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I loved doing it!
Lil, glad to inspire you. :)
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Pixie
(life member)
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Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 558
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Looks good Pixie!
Michelle, Manitoba Canada
http://www.forest-of-dreams.com
My blog
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Joined: 12/20/2007
Posts: 281
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i have a friend who had and dose stain glass, she is teachting me. she uses the copper edging/solder method. i have not personally done the lead work but this seems alot simpler. she has a dimond band wet saw for cutting some of the more fiddly bits. we work great becuse i have steady hands and can draw patterns. she has the know who and eqepment. she can spell too. LOL we don't get much done right now though becuse she has alot of med probs and i am just so stinken bussy! oh for you stain glass vets out there. do any of you have patterns you can share of vitoren ladyes in big hats? i found a book once on ebay but i wasbroke at the time and i have not found it sence. it is out of print.
nothing to do? who has that!?
Silversongs’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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Lilli, your glass work is amasing! Pix, great first piece. Silversong, long time no here. Glad you are busy and have found a great crafting buddy.
Life goes on, it is the journey that matters not the ending! Tinker's Photo Bucket
THS
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Joined: 12/22/2007
Posts: 692
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I recently took a 6 week session of stained glass at a new shop that just opened in town. I never was good at soldering, and I chose a piece that has almost 40 pieces in it, should have started a little slower. It looks o.k. from a distance. My d-i-l was holding it today and looking at it, thinking it looks pretty good. and I had to agree from where I was sitting. Sometimes I have to just walk away and come back later. I have one of those wondeful ring saws to cut glass, , I got it Dec 07, and have been afraid to put it together and use it. I WILL GET THAT DONE THIS MAY!!! I WILL, I WILL, I WILL !!! and I will practice soldering and go back for another session at the shop...OOPS, that starts May 7. guess I need to get busy with my practice, at least. I have a pattern book of Red hats, but I don't think there are any ladies in it. I will check it out. 
Lillie
Lillie gmalil’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 9/2/2009
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Hi, I'm Becky and new to the boards.
My daughter is a stained glass artist. www.radianceart.com
She majored in studio art, mostly clays, and started working with a shop doing drawings for stained glass and etched glass. She just evolved into doing the actual pieces start to finish.
All her designs are originals; she doesn't use any patterns created by anyone else. She does use a program called 'glass eye' to assist with and store her designs.
She's pregnant with our first grandchild right now, so she doesn't spend much time in the studio, but she still does small commissions that don't keep her on her feet long.
Becky in FL
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Joined: 12/22/2007
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BECKY, your daughter does beautiful work. she is wise to not work on the glass when she is pregnant, if she uses lead came.  congrats on the anticipated grandchild.
Lillie gmalil’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/20/2007
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I just took a 9 hr stained glass class the other weekend. My project is not quite perfect. I didn't want to post it because of that...But my super at work wants me to bring it in & show them. (there was an article in the paper & they know I took the class) So if i can show them I can show you all. I know now what I did wrong,, how to fix it. We didn't have quite enought instruction towards the end of our project...but I can figure it out on my own. Now that it is over & done. The 2nd one will definitely be better than the 1st.
Pine Nut's Photobucket
File Attachment(s):
September 2009 013.jpg (105525 bytes)
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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Is there something wrong with it?? Looks great to me. Sort of Frank Lloyd Wright-ish.
Jenx’s PhotoBucket Metamora IL/Sebring FL (There's a very fine line between hobby and mental illness. Dave Berry)
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Joined: 12/20/2007
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Yes..It is Mission style...Arts & Crafts etc., I like the style. my furniture is based on that. I learned a long time ago from a piece of furniture that I bought (antique) that carved fancy designs were not my style. I dusted & dusted that piece till I was sick of it...and finally settled on straight lines & realized that is how I like it. I was afraid they would not offer designs at the class that I liked so I came up with one thru the net...had to enlarge it while there..no rulers or anything. And while I was enlarging my pattern...they told everyone to go pick out their glass...ok...I'll take what's left over...At the end..I could have made larger connections on the interior of the glass piece & the solder would have filled it...But I did not know that...I hope/plan to add a border around the outer edge which will cover my inconsistencies in a straighter outer edge. Live & learn & learn.
Pine Nut's Photobucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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I think it's excellent for your first project. How big is it? I'm with you on the simple lines---and not just because of dusting. I'm more of a chrome/glass/black & white person---contemporary. Earth tones are my least favorites so I don't even want wood. I love to see it in someone elses home---looks great---but I don't want to live with it. (That's why I have a white kitchen) Neither do I like all of the frou frou's or multiple patterns in one room. Perhaps that's why I don't make quilts. I can't mix checks, plaids and prints. I've been forcing myself to mix in more than one kind of flower when painting one stroke on things. I find it very difficult to do but am getting better at it. I just don't want to get too good at it. I might learn to like all of the frills and such---a frightening thought!
Jenx’s PhotoBucket Metamora IL/Sebring FL (There's a very fine line between hobby and mental illness. Dave Berry)
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Joined: 12/20/2007
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Jenx...we are a bit different on our furniture styles...I still like the wood, some curvy lines here & there...a quilt, afghan & quite a few "comfy" things...laying around. I think I know your style & how u like it...I have seen it Be4 in my in-laws home(s). It is attractive & comfortable too..But I would turn it around in a minute if I stayed there too long. I think partly due to living up North in a cold climate 1/2 of the year...I like my wood (case goods) to have straight lines...and my furniture to kinda match...I'm not too set on one thing... The stained glass is about...the same size a a piece of notebook paper...all I had to enlarge the design at the time. It was spur of the moment making the pattern larger.The instructor wanted us to only have 28 pieces or less. Mine was 31. She said it would take me too long to make it all...I told her (I promise) I will not obsess over each piece & I cut them out like crazy. (they asked me if I had done stained glass b4 cause I was cutting it out so fast) Anyway....The workshop area wa a beautiful place but none of the windows opened...so it got hot in there with the sun & temps being what they are lately. we & me were just about itching to get out of there & like I said...the instruction was not quite enough for one on one...and I also was ready to get the heck out. I didn't have any instruction on pinning all my glass together for soldering & that is where my mistake was. I did it & they said it was Ok but I differ. I know now what to do...The class cost me $60...I suppose I learned a lot...they provided lunch on the 2nd day...and offered wine on both days when u were ready to go home. It was a good time. I saw some people I know & met some I only knew of..and met totally new people./
Pine Nut's Photobucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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Evidently you got your money's worth and are ready to try it again. Wish I could try it too. Sounds like fun. It's taught at the co-op where I was a member but it means driving a 1/2 hour each way. I might consider it if I find time. Sometime.
Jenx’s PhotoBucket Metamora IL/Sebring FL (There's a very fine line between hobby and mental illness. Dave Berry)
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Joined: 12/19/2007
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You did a nice job Pine. Stained glass is hard, at least I think it is. You were smart to go with straight lines, curves are a pain, lol.
Michelle, Manitoba Canada
http://www.forest-of-dreams.com
My blog
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Joined: 12/22/2007
Posts: 692
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Joined: 12/22/2007
Posts: 692
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I was trying to show you a picture of my last attempt at stained glass. but guess you should just go to my photo bucket to see it. I can't seem to get the right link to attach it correctly... I agree with Lavender that the curves are a pain! and I need to practice the soldering, it is not as easy as it looks to me. .Lillie gmalil’s PhotoBucket
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Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 558
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Very nice Lil!
Michelle, Manitoba Canada
http://www.forest-of-dreams.com
My blog
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Joined: 11/5/2009
Posts: 1
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Hi everyone! I'm a newbie, and this thread was the first to catch my notice. I love stained glass. Got involved in the process 'bout two years ago as a hobby, which fluxuates dependant on who's got the Most Stuff going on in the garage. Since I share a big work table with two family guys, this alone takes patience.
The two biggest lessons learned is to NOT use lead even in the garage, ieven with the garage door opened, there needs to be better air circulation since I work with various sized pieces. The difference comes with not being able to wear my contact lenses while working. I'm nearsighted, but can't wear my glasses for some of the work (including grinding the glass). Instead, when it comes to leading, I drag all to the backyard.
I use a wet grinder. Does better work and keeps the smaller shards down. Since much of what I do is on a small scale, (design nightlights) this really helps. Take warnings about lead seriously, it can be problematic for anyone whom desires to play/work with this artform.
There's all kinds of web sites where you can download for free easy projects.
The hardest part for me is ALWAYS breaking the glass. After scoring, I am such a baby, its like intentionally choosing to break a balloon. Pray and cross my fingers, hoping that it will be a clean break.
There's only one company out here where I can get supplies. It would be nice if they had some competition to encourage pricing.
I'll add some photoes in a couple of days.
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