Other Materials That Can Be
Incorporated Into Projects

The following items are things that can be used in a stained glass project that someone might not think to use ordinarily. However, creative use of these things can make a project more interesting.

Blobs

Some of the uses for blobs are to simulate bubbles, used as handles or feet on boxes, centers of flowers, and as general interesting accents. Blobs come in three different sizes (small, medium and large) and cathedral, opalescent and iridescent finishes or a combination of these, and they also come in a etched variety.

TIP: To Wrap Blobs

First lightly grind the edges to give it texture
Wrap the blob up in foil and pinch it down as you would glass
Place the wrapped blobs into a plastic container filled about three quarters the way with plain blobs
Shake it around a minute.
The foil is then crimped perfectly on.

Jewels

This is only an example of how many jewels there are. There are many more in every shape, color and size. The most popular application for jewels originally was in Tiffany lamps like the Dragonfly Lamp. They can be used to add a sparkle to any piece.

Crystals

Though expensive, they can be used on suncatchers and used like jewels. These a bought at a garage sale. They used to be on a chandelier. Be on the lookout for crystals at garage sales because this is the cheapest way to get them.

Bevels

They are most commonly clear but some are colored or can have glue chip surfaces. Bevels can also come in a mirrored surface. The most popular use is in door insets and boxes. If you use a bevel as a side of a box, you should put the slanted side toward the inside of the box because if you have mirror base inside the box, when the light comes through it, it has a more prismatic effect. When foiling it, be sure to use the correct foil: either plain copper for a copper patina, black backed foil for a black patina, and silver for leaving the solder the way it is.

Shells

Shells can add a decorative element to boxes. Foiling them can be pretty difficult. When foiling them, put as little foil as you can on the pretty side of the shell which can be either the front or the back depending on the shell. Wrap as you would glass except much more tricky because the edges are very thin and the foil doesn't stick to it well. Very carefully pinch it down and do a very careful rubdown of it starting with the edges first, and then the sides. When soldering, put flux on sparingly and then tin it first making sure the ends of the foil are soldered onto itself so it doesn't unwrap easily. Then tack it to a solder seam. Other shells might have to be glued on. If you have a lapidary saw, you can get the spiral type shells (very small conch shells about 1 or 2 inches high). You can cut them down the center and cut it into a 3/16 inch strip and it makes an interesting design.

Polished Stone

It can be used in a similar way to shells but it is even more difficult to wrap because you have to figure out where you want the center to be because when you go to solder it, it will roll around and you won't be able to solder it on easily. Applying these kinds of rocks is a good excuse to use decorative soldering.

Agate

Agates

They are my personal favorite to use in boxes. They give the box an extra professional flair plus it makes the box more unique and therefore you can charge more money for it. The reason why the price of the box is a little higher because you have to make a separate design per agate per box which takes extra time.

TIP: Preparing the Design

Draw what your lid will look like
Place the agate where you want it on the lid (usually I center it)
Trace an outline around it
Put your break lines in
When foiling, use a foil slightly wider then the agate you are using, wrap as you would glass, and when rubbing it down, rub all the edges first

I've been finding them at flea markets and garage sales and occasionally museum shops. A good price for them is between $1 to $2 for a 2 to 3 inch slice.

Filigree

I mostly use them in boxes. They give that finishing touch to a piece. Other times it can be personal, like if your friend likes horses, you could use a horse filigree. There are far more types of filigree than shown, most are made of brass, other's steel, and even lead. I've used them as box stops, and even to hide some mistakes.

Miscellaneous