| Did you know that you can find stained
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| | shipping costs the total transaction may
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| glass deals if you look hard enough?
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| | cost more.
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| There are a number of places to buy
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| | Some glass manufacturers sell "sample
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| stained glass - let's look at a few of
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| | sets." These are exactly what they sound
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| them.
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| | like: packages with a variety of glass
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| The easiest and least risky way to buy
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| | types and colors enclosed. Many smaller
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| glass is in a kit. You can purchase kits
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| | sample sets cost less than $15 or $20 at
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| online: simply search for "stained glass
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| | online supply stores. Typically larger
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| kits" and you'll see dozens of online
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| | craft stores like Ben Franklin carry very
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| suppliers. Or you can buy kits at
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| | few glass sample sets; if they do, their
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| Michael's Arts and Crafts, Ben Franklin,
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| | selection will be limited, but if you
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| or your local craft store. Many smaller
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| | check they may have just what you need.
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| craft stores may not stock kits, but they
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| | In general the sheets of glass are
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| will be glad to order what you want.
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| | smaller than what you'd normally buy, so
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| The kit will only include glass you need
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| | you're not stuck with a lot of glass you
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| for the project; you don't have to worry
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| | may never use. If you're new to the
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| about leftovers. If you're new to the
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| | hobby, aren't sure what you want to make,
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| hobby, start with a kit or two - that way
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| | and are interested in experimenting, a
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| you won't invest in glass inventory you
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| | sample set can be an inexpensive way to
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| may find you don't need.
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| | try out different colors and techniques.
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| If you decide to buy glass in bulk, the
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| | If you stay alert you may find great
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| first place to look is your local glass
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| | deals from local artisans or hobbyists.
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| shop or craft shop. There are advantages
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| | For instance, many hobbyists will sell
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| and disadvantages to dealing with your
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| | glass if they're preparing to move -
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| local store. The advantages are clear:
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| | glass is hard to pack up and move, and
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| you can build up a business relationship
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| | many people won't want to bother. You may
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| with the store, you can inspect the glass
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| | not find an opportunity like that often,
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| before you purchase it, and you can ask
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| | but if you do, you can usually pay
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| questions and get advice from a
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| | twenty-five percent or less for glass
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| knowledgeable source. The disadvantage is
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| | compared to what you would have paid
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| their selection may be limited and their
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| | retail.
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| prices may be higher than you can get
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| | Sometimes glass shops will also sell
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| from wholesale or discount glass
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| | partial sheets at a large discount. If
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| companies. Of course, your local shop can
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| | the partial sheet is large enough for
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| order glass, but you lose the advantage
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| | your intended use, great! (Buying partial
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| of pre-inspecting the glass, and the
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| | sheets is like buying carpet remnants.)
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| price will probably be a little higher
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| | Glass shops often also have "For Sale"
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| since the store will need to mark the
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| | bulletin boards for hobbyists to use to
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| glass up in order to make a profit.
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| | advertise leftover glass they want to
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| If your store orders glass for you, ask
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| | sell - keep an eye out for pieces you can
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| if you can inspect it before you actually
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| | use.
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| make the purchase. The color or texture
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| | You can also find supplies and tools at
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| in the catalog may not be the same as the
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| | yard sales - make sure you have a wish
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| color or texture you eventually receive.
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| | list of tools with you and you may find
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| There are a number of glass suppliers
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| | exactly what you're looking for. You can
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| that can be found online. Simply search
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| | also buy used tools on "For Sale"
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| for "stained glass supplies" or "stained
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| | bulletin boards at glass shops; if a
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| glass" and you'll see hundreds of
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| | local craftsperson has upgraded to a more
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| possibilities. If you decide to try an
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| | expensive grinder, for instance, they may
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| online supplier, make a small purchase
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| | be more than willing to sell you their
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| the first time so you can evaluate their
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| | used grinder for a fraction of its
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| quality, professionalism, and service.
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| | original cost.
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| When you're comparing price with your
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| | There is much more to this story than
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| local shop, make sure you take into
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| | written here. Stained glass can be
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| account shipping charges; the raw glass
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| | incredibly interesting once you learn all
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| may be cheaper, but when combined with
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| | about it...
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