How our stained glass addiction started

How we started:

In 2002 we where looking for stained glass panels to add the finishing touches to our house. The 3 panels would have to be perfect to compliment our "Gothic" inspired decorating. What more than stained glass to balance the subtle gargoyle sconces and Loch Ness monster sculpture that stretches across the six foot long buffet. Originally we were looking for old windows from Scotland. After traveling from city to city, antique store to antique store, we never seemed to find what we were really looking for. Either the size or the pattern was a compromise. There seemed to be only one solution.

let's make our own panels!

We both had shown an interest in learning about stained glass and with our technical backgrounds we figured we can create our own masterpieces. Easier said than done, but we gave it a start. First we went to a book store and got a book "how to make stained glass" .The next day we went to a local glass supplier and bought the basic tools and equipment and some pieces of art glass.The process of learning had started. While making our first small projects, like small panels and sun catchers, we learned more and more, special about that can be done and, even more important, what not, with glass.

What we do:

We make only stained glass projects from our own designs ,or when it's a special custom design, we use the customers idea or picture to create a panel that fulfills their wish for a stained glass window.

How we do it:

As mentioned above we use our own designs for our stained glass creations.

Most of the times they are freehand drawn by Sandra, and than we use the special software, Glass Eye 2000, to make it a perfect stained glass pattern.

After we made 1 or 2 copies, depending on the work method for that project, we cut the glass and lay it out on the cartoon ,a copy of the pattern, and makes the pieces of glass fit perfectly together , and where needed some little corrections with the diamond grinder will be made.

If it is a "copper-foil" project , we than foil all the pieces, and solder front and back from the panel. After it's is cleaned from flux residue it can either be polished and leave the solder blank or we can apply a copper look or a black patina, which most depend on the colors used in the project.

When it is a more traditional panel, made with solid lead-came, we again use a cartoon to layout the glass pieces, and we start to cut the lead came so it perfectly fit against the glass pieces and the next strip of lead. When we have done the whole window, the lead will be cleaned and soldered together on the joints at both sides. The space between the glass and the front and back from the lead strips will be filled with traditional home-made putty, to give it more strength and make it weatherproof.