The process of Stained Glass

From start to finish, every stained glass piece is unique.

Colorful drawing of a duck with green, orange, and black markings on a yellow and brown background, contained within a circular frame.

Pattern Selection

The process begins by creating a pattern. Typically, I use photos to sketch a basic design and make modifications from there. I then play with colors to help visualize how the piece will come together.

Various sheet materials, including red, green, black, and brown glossy sheets, arranged on a white table in a workshop.

Choosing the Glass

Glass is available in a variety of colors and textures. Similar to buying paper, glass is sold in sheets of different sizes. The price of the glass is influenced by its color; for example, colors like red and pink are the most expensive because of the materials required to produce them. Notably, pink glass is made from gold!

A person wearing floral-patterned gloves working on a craft project involving pink vinyl and a green surface with leaf shapes on a wooden table.

Cutting out the pattern

Tracing the pattern is done using light tables, markers, and vinyl stickers applied to the glass. Glass tools are then used to break the glass along the traced lines. This process requires patience and extensive practice.

Worker wearing gray gloves assembling or repairing an electronic device on a workbench.

Grinding

The next step is to use a diamond bit grinder to refine the fit of the pieces. Once the fit is perfect, the pieces can be washed and dried.

A stained glass window depicting a bird standing in water with green land and blue sky in the background.

Foiling the Edges

In the Copper Foil or Tiffany method, each piece of glass is carefully wrapped in copper foil. The copper foil comes in a roll with a sticky adhesive on the back. The edges of the glass are meticulously smoothed and trimmed to ensure a perfect fit.

A person wearing gloves and a brown jacket is soldering bird-shaped ornaments on a wooden surface. The person is holding a soldering iron, and a spool of solder wire is nearby.

Soldering

Using flux and 60/40 (lead/tin) solder, the seams are carefully soldered together, and care is taken to smooth the lines. Next, hooks and a lead border are added to the piece.

Close-up of a stained glass art piece depicting an eye being assembled, with a person's gloved hand holding a cotton swab nearby.

Clean and Patina

After soldering is completed, each piece is carefully cleaned and dried. If left untreated, the solder would gradually tarnish and develop a black patina over time. To prevent this, a chemical is applied to the solder to intentionally turn the silver black. This enhancement allows the glass to truly glow in the light.

A stained glass butterfly with orange and black wings, suspended outdoors against a green background.

Polish

Only after the patina has been cleaned and dried can the piece be polished. Polishing adds a natural shine to the finished piece and protects the soldering lines.

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