Stained Glass

By: Fischer

Table of Contents

About Stained Glass

The Tools of the Trade: The Small Stuff

The Tools of the Trade: The Big Stuff

The Glass

How to Do Stained Glass

Table of Contents

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About Stained Glass

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Stained glass is an art form that can be found around the world. It involves taking sheets of glass and turning them into beautiful designs. Some people do stained glass as their jobs, and some people do it as a hobby. It can be very expensive so many people sell their art. 

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Sun rays illuminating inside the Nasir-al-Molk mosque of Iran with dazzling colours and designs

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About Stained Glass

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La Sainte Chapelle is a gothic chapel in Paris with 15 stained glass windows that are 15m tall!

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Stained Glass Through The Years

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Stained glass can be found all around the world and is often seen in churches and cathedrals. There is evidence of stained glass work all the way back in the 7th century.

Nowadays, people still make and repair large windows, but also make smaller designs and sun catchers.  

TOOLS

of the

Stained glass work requires many specialized tools that help to create these incredible works of art. Each tool has a specific job and is used in a particular step in the process.

TRADE

Stained glass work requires many specialized tools that help to create these incredible works of art. Each tool has a specific job and is used in a particular step in the process.

TOOLS of the TRADE

Glass Grinder

One item glass workers need is called a grinder. It is one of the more expensive items you need, but if you take care of it , it can last a lifetime. The grinder is used to shape the glass pieces, so they fit together perfectly like a beautiful handmade puzzle.

The glass grinder works by spinning a diamond coated bit, which efficiently pulverizes the glass you do not want on the piece. It is important to keep the base of your grinder full of water to keep the glass dust from getting into the air and your lungs.

TOOLS of the TRADE

Joining Materials

There are two main ways that glass workers can join the individual pieces together- either with the lead came method, or the copper foil method.

Lead Came

The copper foil method is usually used in smaller pieces such as suncatchers. For this method glass workers take a special tape that is sticky on one side and has copper on the other, and wrap it around the edges of each glass piece. Then the foil is burnished on to make sure it sticks and the seams are soldered together. For this method you need: copper foil, and solder.

The lead came method is the more traditional way, and is used in large windows and smaller pieces. It involves taking the glass and placing it in channels in pieces of lead came. Then all of the joints are soldered to secure the glass in the came. For this method you need: lead came, stretchers, lead nippers, solder, and finishing cement.