Why is working in stained glass important to you?

Question

I'm new to stained glass myself, and I love it! I enjoy the challenge of it. At first it was a little scary working with glass (and still is sometimes) because it can break and cut you if you're not careful. Now that I'm gaining a little competence, it's very exciting. Plus, my piece is coming together nicely.

I'm still on my first project: a mosaic wall hanging. The next class project involves soldering.

I'd like to hear what others who work (or worked) in stained glass feel about the medium. I'd love to hear your stories if you'd like to share. Thank you!

delphinium-Thanks for your thoughtful reply! About the mosaic: We had a larger pattern that we cut, and then grinded to clean up the edges. (As a beginner, I had lots of edge cleaning to do!) The smaller background pieces were made with a mosaic cutter. Here's a picture:
http://www.tracysworkshop.com/pc-3224-6600-mosaic-cutter.aspx
We didn't grind the small pieces. Thank goodness! Since you'll be grouting the piece, the edges of the small pieces don't matter ... until you reach the very edge of the piece. Make sure to leave yourself about 1/4" edge--with no stained glass in it--that will be grouted. That way you won't get glass cuts from picking up your finished piece. : )

I did bring my own garden gloves for when I dig in the remnant glass bins. I've not been cut once. I haven't tried them for when I'm doing my cutting. Perhaps I will now. I agree the surgical gloves aren't ideal. Thanks!

http://www.southernfront.com/en-us/dept_143.html
found this site yesterday

Answer 1

I love translucent colors, and stained glass comes in an endless variety of colors and textures. Sometimes seeing a piece of glass will inspire a design. I especially like waterglass, with its wavy texture. I like to draw and paint, and it was quite exciting to translate some of my ideas into the medium of glass... I had to simplify the lines, and experiment with the colors. It is very enjoyable and satisfying.

I have not done a mosaic yet, but I'm saving all my little pieces of glass because I'd like to experiment with mosaic. I saw a book on mosaic by Kaffe Fassett & Candace Bahouth, which really inspired me... so imaginative! There was a niche with mirror tiles, which I'd like to make some day. I think it would be lovely with a candle set in it. I also discovered that yellow mirror-back glass is a good substitute for gold tesserae (which cost over a dollar per square inch!!).

I have a question for you: do you grind the edges of your mosaic pieces smooth, or just use the sharp cut pieces in the mosaic?

If you are getting your fingers cut, have you tried using those stretchy garden gloves (the ones that look like the fingers were dipped in rubber)? I wear these when handling glass, and have never gotten cut. The back of the hands is not coated, so your hands don't sweat like they would in ordinary rubber gloves.

Stained glass is important to me because it is one more way to express my creativity, and because I can make pieces for my home, and for gifts, that I would not otherwise be able to afford.
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Hi! Thanks for the comments. I bookmarked the mosaic cutter page. And there are some lovely designs on the other site. I've never seen mosaics done with larger pieces of glass... it almost reminds me of quilts. Very interesting. I liked the garden angel with the wings. Of course, with small mosaic pcs. you can get infinite shading in the design, and use up tiny bits of glass. It's great to keep learning new things, and experiment with materials.

Answer 2

I took my first stain glass class in 1999 and fell in love!! With in a year I was working at the shop for supplies, omg to get paid to do something you love to do!! Within a couple years, I really found my niche, and that was teaching stain glass. The joy of helping others discover this art is wonderful. To see a begining piece, helping them pick colors, patterns, and walking thru the steps of creating a beautiful work of art. 5 of my students may pick the same pattern, and every single one will be different. The youngest person I taught was 9 (my daughter) and the oldest was in her 80's. In the 100's I've taught, only one person totally hated it and walked away from it. Some dont want to buy all the tools and are content to just come in and do a project once or twice a year. Others LIVE there, take every class they can and have everything at home.
You have worked some with glass now. Breakage will happen no matter how much experience you have. You will learn to control some of your cuts, and know when to use the glass saw. Wear glasses when grinding and cutting glass. Your fingers will need to build up pads (especially if you are doing 1 or more hours a day, at first they will get raw and sore, use "hockey" tape on the tips of your fingers, or garden gloves at first, I havent been to impressed yet with any of the gadgets that hold the glass for grinding, and I'am a gadget junkie)
Soldering is fun!! First rule, any solder consider HOT!! and you will be okay. I always tell my students, the first window is the "scariest" but I try to ease there fears (breakage, solder lines, etc...) Your second window will be tons more fun, you have the basics down and no longer scared at every turn.

Answer 3

My boyfriend worked as a glass beveler at a Stained Glass shop.

Answer 4

i might say that the ideal one is unquestionably an define of The final Supper earlier Jesus' crucifixion. the backside one is comparable yet with Jesus lacking so i might say it depicts the time after the crucifixion.

Answer 5

it lets me express myself and is a good way to make a little money on the side

Answer 6

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