Demo

Sometimes people ask me about the process of making stained glass. For the most part, I use the foil-and-solder method--like Tiffany--not the more architectural/churchy leaded glass glass method.


I start with a template. You can get books of these. I make my own, because for me stained glass is a way of drawing; the template is pretty much 90% of the game.






I transfer the drawing to the glass. If the glass I'm going to use is reasonably transparent, I can do this by tracing. Otherwise, I have to cut out the pieces of the template and trace around pieces individually onto the glass.






Then I cut the glass...










... and put copper foil around the edge of each piece. The foil has a sticky back, like tape.






Then I assemble all the pieces.







Sometimes I make a frame with metal bars to keep the pieces in place and the edges straight.






I solder the pieces together...







... including the edges. If it's a window hanging, I add hooks.








Then I put black patina on the solder lines.














And thar she blows!