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Article #123: The Art Of Stained Glass

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As with all forms of art, its beauty is filled type. A breaker, similar to
defined by the sensations it arouses. pliers, is used to snap off the glass
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect in the after being scored. A specially designed
art of stained glass is in its' scissor is used to cut out your pattern,
versatility. It's durable, yet fragile, and of course a soldering iron is used to
challenging, but yielding to the join the cut pieces of glass together.
experienced hands of the artist. I Expect to pay somewhere in the
discovered this form of art some seven neighborhood of $100.
years ago when my girlfriend and I There are other items that you'll need
decided to take a series of evening along the way, but they will be available
classes at a local stained glass retail to you during your classes, such as the
store. We took six classes and I have grinder, which is used to grind down
been hooked ever since. excess glass, not removed by the cutting
If you are in need of a way to take away process and to polish off the edges of
the stresses of everyday life I would the cut glass. This last part is
recommend stained glass as great way to important because of the foiling process
download and at the same time get into a that takes after the glass is ground
new hobby. It is a form of down. Foiling is a process whereby the
self-meditation. The steps you'll follow copper foil is placed around the edges of
in arriving at your finished work of art the ground glass. The foil is sticky on
will teach you self-discipline, and one side allowing it to adhere to the
provide a great sense of artistic glass. The purpose of the copper foil is
achievement. And if you're like me, you to provide a surface for the solder to
will not be able to get enough of it. stick too.
That's when you'll want to expand out and A word on foiling. Most of us are
begin doing projects for others. familiar with the traditional form of
But be careful, once word gets out that stained glass that we have encountered in
you're into stained glass, all of your churches which employ the use of a lead
relatives (you know the ones) will be the came between the glass pieces. Copper
first to ask you to make them something. foiling is an alternative to the lead
Actually, it's not so bad at first, came and is no doubt the first place a
because they make great test cases and new student to the art of stained glass
you'll want to experiment. will begin. Only after one has mastered
Where to begin? I suggest a visit to your the foil, should you proceed to the came.
local stained glass retailer. While not Besides, foiling is a much easier
all towns have one (here is a great process, especially for the beginner. I
business opportunity for you) a look into still prefer this method over the came
your telephone book should yield a method.
location or two or you can perform an There is a little more to the art of
Internet search for local retailers. stained glass than what I have described
Start by inquiring into whether or not thus far, but the fundamental steps
they run classes. Most retailers usually outlined below will give you a basic
do because it's a source of increased outline on what to expect.
revenues to them (they know that you'll Plan your design; will it be for a
probably be buying your supplies from window, skylight... the possibilities
them). Cost of classes will be relatively will astound you. Let your imagination
moderate for the same reasons. Check out take you,
your local County Colleges as well. My Sketch out your design or use a bought
instructor also taught night classes pattern available through your retailer,
there. Cut out the individual pieces from your
TIP: Bring a friend with you; it will add pattern using those special scissors I
to the fun and you'll be able to compare mentioned earlier,
notes. Apply the cut pattern pieces to the glass
The place you'll be taking the classes to be cut,
from will no doubt also provide you with Using the glasscutter, score and break
the basic beginners kit, which will (not in the literal sense) each piece
contain the tools needed to get you Grind off the excess glass
started. Expect to find a glass cutter; Foil each piece of glass
there a variety of types and you should Solder the pieces together
choose the one that your most comfortable Clean your work, and
with. I have tried a variety myself but Display your masterpiece!
in the end settled for the basic non-oil






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