Stained Glass Tips
Many people have the misconception that stained glass is somehow "stained" or painted by the crafter when the piece is created. However that is not the case. In reality, the glass comes from the manufacturer in almost every color. The glass is "stained" by adding color when it is in the melted liquid form and is cooled in long sheets. You then purchase the stained glass and cut each piece to fit your creation.
Are you interested in learning the art of stained glass? Well, many of the stained glass shops and retailers will offer instructional classes in their shops as well as offer videos and instructional books on beginning stained glass. Check with a shop in your area, and check with your local community college - they may offer a class as part of their elective arts program.
Many times when you are soldering, the solder can sizzle, bubble, and even pop, leaving craters in your solder bead. There could be a couple of causes. First, your flux may be dirty. If you dip your flux brush directly into the bottle, dust, dirt, or other impurities may deposit in the bottle. Try pouring a bit of flux into a small glass ashtray or other glass dish to dip your flux brush into. Another possibility could be that your glass pieces may be dirty as well, especially if you notice the popping more on the back side of your project. When you turn your piece over, try cleaning the glass before you start soldering the second side. Also, clean your flux brush frequently to avoid depositing any impurities into your flux or onto your project.
Solder has a silver-colored finish which may not blend well with your particular piece. One way to change the finish is to apply patina. Patina is a chemical that alters the surface of the solder bead.. It is available in copper, antique brass, black and green, however to use the green patina you must first apply a copper plating solution. There is another way to change the appearance of your solder. The solution is called Color Magic and comes in a wide variety of colors. Just apply it like nail polish, allow to dry, and voila!
Most people, when they think of stained glass, envision giant picture windows found in churches and cathedrals. Although these works are very extraordinary and truly beautiful, stained glass is by far not limited to those types of creations. Lamps, picture frames, wall hangings, chimes, desk accessories, sun catchers, even jewelry are just a few of the many items that can be crafted with glass. Using your imagination, you can create wonderful pieces that will amaze everyone. So just remember... anything can be made out of glass!
This question has been asked by many a new stained glass crafter. And the answer is simple: it is really up to the crafter's personal taste and which method he or she prefers to use. However, because of the bulkiness of lead, some of the smaller projects or projects with very intricate designs may not be suitable and may be constructed more easily using copper foil. Larger projects such as panels in exterior doors and fixed windows are ideal for lead because the lead can provide more strength to your piece.
TIP** If you enjoy crafting with lead but your piece has some smaller designs that may be unsuitable, you can try mixing the two methods. Try constructing the intricate patterns with copper foil, and then incorporate the whole small design as one piece of glass in your lead project!
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