How To Make Stained Glass

While visiting ancient churches, you would have surely seen several lovely looking stained glass paintings. Have you ever imagined doing something as creative as that? If you have, then look no further! Stained glass or coloured glass is a unique art where colours (that include metallic salts) are painted onto several pieces of glass which are finally fused to form a single glass, in any desired pattern or picture. The entire set up is then held together by lead and supported by a frame. Fading commonly occurs in coloured glass and to enhance the colour, or restore its originality, chemicals are added to make the final glass output appear brighter and clearer. Stained glass can be viewed on windows, church walls, lampshades, clocks, picture frames, mirrors, gift items etc. These pretty glasses literally transform an ordinary looking room into a simply spectacular sight! It can also be converted from a hobby into a business if you develop adequate skills. Explore the next section for an idea on how to make stained glass.

MakingStained Glass

You Need

Glass Cutter (self lubricating)
Glass Grinder
Glass Marker
Glass Pliers
Soldering Iron
Work Board
Push Pins
Lathekin

Instructions:

The first, and foremost, step of any craft is to decide what pattern you want and keep all the required tools at hand. For this art, choose a pattern that is not too intricate for a beginner.
Make two tracings of the pattern so that you can cut them out to make templates. Number each part of the pattern and trace each pattern template along with its specific number on the glass with a glass marker.
Using the glass cutter, carefully score (or cut) the glass on the inner side of the tracing line. This is a very risky business as glass and the cutter may cause injury if you are not careful enough!
Be accurate with the measurements or else you might have to start again. After cutting the glass, break the parts fully and properly with the help of the pliers. Avoid using your hands to evade injuries.
Place the individual glass pieces on a work board and use push pins to make sure that they don’t slip off. Don’t be disheartened if the pieces don’t fit – you just have to grind the edges with the glass grinder to shape them. Check the template and the pieces you’ve got and match them. If there is any difference continue grinding to achieve perfection.
Foiling the pieces along the edges is the next step. Smoothen the foil and then rub it with the lathekin. Once you have completed this process with all the pieces, assemble them back in to the original pattern.
At this time, the glass is coloured into the particular pattern and with the desired colours. Remember that painting must be done on the inner sides of the glass only. Let this dry for a few hours.
The next step involves brushing flux over the foil seams. Hold a soldering iron over the seams till the flux melts. Make sure all the foils are covered fully. In this manner, all the seams must be soldered. Don’t leave the reverse side of the glass out and join the shapes to make the pattern to make a single piece of glass!
In the end, clean the glass with a towel and glass cleaner to remove any fingerprints from the surface.
Your stained glass is now ready to be complimented into the theme of your room or to be given as a personalized gift!

There are other methods on making a stained glass piece of art, but this seems to be the one least difficult hence, apt for beginners. Enjoy!

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