How Stained Glass Works

How Stained Glass Works

­Making stained glass is an ancient art that can be traced back to the early Egyptians. Although the first colored glass may have been used as jewelry or even currency, we probably know the art form best from seeing stained glass in the windows of churches. These windows are really paintings that use light, glass and a metal framework to create a design.

The earliest stained glass windows were created for the Roman Catholic Church, and often told Bible stories in pictures. This was at a time when most people couldn’t read, so these luminous paintings were one of the few representations of the glory and transcendent nature of their spiritual beliefs. At a time before television, radio or even pictures painted on canvas, stained glass windows wer­e probably one of the most dramatic, instructive and important works of art most people were exposed to.

­Many of these ancient masterpieces have been lost as a result of religious upheavals and political strife, but many still remain, like the stained glass windows at Chartres Cathedral in France, or at Canterbury Cathedral in England.

Changes in taste and innovations in glassmaking hav­e made working with stained glass easier than ever before. Because colored glass is now cheaper and good designs and tutorials are easy to find, the hobby is steadily gaining in popularity. With some practice, patience and a few important tools, creating art with colored glass is a hobby that’s available to almost everyone

Stained Glass Artwork: Tools and Techniques Used by Artisans

semple-technique

Stained glass artists are talented and proficient craftspeople who specialize in bringing every type of designs to existence. To supply art which is sturdy and aesthetically pleasing, artists make use of many tools and techniques on the trade. Here is often a quick (and simplified) summary from the process stained glass artists use to create the colorful styles noticed in churches, federal government buildings, and private residences.

Building a Template

Earlier than an artist brings a do the trick to existence implementing minor and good sized pieces of colored glass, he or she primary provides a detailed drawing with the complete picture. This drawing will need to be precisely the same dimension as the window opening or other area where by the art can be shown. Items of glass will ought to be joined with result in develop the last work, so lines to indicate exactly where this main will go also ought to be integrated while in the template. As compared to the last piece, this template is relatively rather simple in look. Read more »

Understanding Basics of Stained Glass Doors

Stained Glass Doors

The technical challenges concerned with the designing and installation of stained glass doors and windows vary from hobbyists to professionals. Noticing a shade of flower, holding it in mind and creating it as images for a glass work is not that easy. It is the task which is both an art and science.

From drawing a rough shade to giving a final touch to it, a lot of technical knowledge and experience is required. For example, creating stained form of glass doors involves a lot of basics to consider like:

Copper foil panels

Before wrapping the edges with thin metallic strips, it is important checking if the glass matches a pattern. Next steps that come after it includes arranging the foiled glass on the pattern followed by applying flux to the seams and soldering the seams to hold the pieces of glass together. Read more »

Stained Glass – Moving From Ancient to Modern

Stained glass from ancient to modern Mosaic

Stained glass is the ancient glass art that was used for decorating churches, chapels and important shrines and places of pilgrimage in the ancient times. From its past heritage and usage to the modern decoration ideas, stained glass art has come a long way. It is today one of the breathtaking concepts in design and decorating public places and recreational joints with modern scriptures, caricatures, public figures, beauty depictions, female figures, and animal forms.

The stained form of glass began its modern curve in the 19th Century itself with the use of the art for decorating glass windows and doors in homes. From the European to the Asian homes, the form became a regular option for colored glass doors and windows, entrance doors, verandah or porch doors, patio and gallery boundary etc. One can now find their use in modern workplaces and commercial centers.

The use of the stained glass art is visible in office cabins, workstation area and other interior as well as exterior décor of an office. Today, the said form of glass is one of the essential parts of decoration used in uplifting the appearance of a place. Read more »

Selecting a Quality Stained Glass Studio

Quality Staiend Glass Studio selection

Everyone wants to know the magical formula to select the correctstained glass studio to complete his or her project. While a studio cannot do this for you, there are ways to sort through the information and make a quality selection.

A common question that the clergy will ask a stained glass studio is, “How do I get an apples to apples bid?” Unlike many industries, stained glass is extremely specialized. Often, others do not know the terms and jargon outside the industry. This is what inspired Associated Crafts to write this article.

The other aspect of this industry is the lack of regulation by the industry. The industry consists of many smaller companies started by craftsmen and artists who took a hobby and changed it into a career. This is certainly admirable but these individuals often do not have the knowledge of all the facets of the business or of stained glass. Professional studios often compete with specifications written by some completely incompetent companies. This is why we diligently work to educate our clients. Often times, a simple understanding of terms and jargon will allow the church to see the correct scope of work. Read more »

The Secret to Perfect Solder Lines

Stained Glass Soldering

Solder is used to hold the various pieces of stained glass together in a stained glass panel. To achieve a professional quality, solder lines need to be smooth and uniform. This can be achieved by following basic steps and using quality tools and supplies.

The tools and supplies needed for soldering include a soldering iron, solder and flux. The soldering iron should have a ceramic heating element with either a built in temperature controller or plugged into a separate temperature controller unit. The solder used needs to be a 60/40 mixture of alloys for the majority of your soldering. For decorative soldering, an alloy mixture of 60/37 solder is recommended. An odorless non-smoking liquid flux is the preferred flux.

Basic Steps for Soldering

    1. Heat the soldering iron to 68 on the temperature controller
    2. Use an abrasive pad or wet sponge to clean the iron’s tip before you begin and periodically as you work
    3. Lightly apply flux to a section of the stained glass project you are working on
    4. Using 60/40 solder, unroll it to a manageable length, and then lightly touch the area to be worked on
    5. Place the solder on the tip of your iron and move both the iron and the solder at a slow constant rate following the fluxed copper foil seams
    6. When you need to end or stop, do not just move the iron vertically off, but rather slide the iron towards the glass
    7. Don’t solder out to the perimeter of your stained glass piece, leave approximately ½ inch along the edge. This will allow the zinc came to fit over your glass

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