Working with Stained Glass

As with all forms of art, the beauty of stained glass art is defined by the sensations it arouses. Perhaps the most intriguing thing about this type of art is its ultra-versatility. It's durable, yet fragile.

So where do you begin? Start by visiting your local stained glass retail store. Although not all towns have one, a quick look in the yellow pages should reveal a location or two. Also search the Internet for local stained glass retailers.

Begin by asking about the availability of classes. You will find that most retailers offer these classes because it's a good source of increased business for them. Classes are relatively cheap for the same reason.

The class will likely provide you with the basic stained glass beginners kit, which will contain all the tools you'll need to get started.

Here is a basic list:

• A specially designed pair of scissors which is used to cut out your pattern.
• A breaker, which is a lot like a pair of pliers. The pliers are used to snap off the glass after it's been scored
• A glass cutter - there are a variety of types and you should choose the one that your most comfortable with. My favorite glass cutter is the basic non-oil filled.
• A soldering iron to join the cut pieces of glass together.

There are other items that you'll need, but they should be made available to you during your classes.

This will include a grinder, which you need to grind down the excess glass that wasn't removed by the cutting process and to polish off the edges of the cut glass.

This last part is also very important because of the foiling process that takes place after the glass is ground down. Foiling is when copper foil is placed around the edges of the ground stained glass. The foil is sticky on one side allowing it to stick to the glass. This provides a surface for the solder to adhere too.

There is more to the art of creating stained glass, but the basic steps listed below will give you a basic outline of what to expect:

• Plan your design. Will it be for a window, a skylight, or some other work of art?
• Sketch out your own design or check here for a free stained glass pattern.
• Cut out the individual pieces from your pattern.
• Apply the cut pieces to the glass that will be cut.
• Score and break each piece with the glasscutter.
• Grind off the excess glass.
• "Foil" each piece of glass.
• Solder all of the pieces together.
• Clean your work.
• Display your stained glass!

You'll soon come to recognize your own favorite step in the process of creating stained glass art works, and it varies from person to person.

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