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Article #134: The Art Of Stained Glass

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






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