Answers to Common Stained Glass Questions

Working with stained glass can be a very rewarding hobby, but this craft is still shrouded in mystery and not a lot of people know what it implies. Here are some of the frequently asked questions related to stained glass: 1. What kind of equipment do I need? There are a few basic tools that you will need if you wish to create stained glass art. You first need to setup a work space and make sure you have enough room to store some tools as well as the glass material itself. Other than that, you will need a glass cutter and a glass grinder, as well as two sets of pliers: running and breaking pliers. Other accessories will come in handy, such as a soldering iron or copper tape. 2. How difficult is it to learn? Cutting and creating stained glass art is not a difficult task. Just like with every craft, however, you will need to spend some time improving your skills and getting used to the process. One of your best bets is to either find someone who is willing to share some tips and tricks with you, or to look for resources, such as stained glass classes, books and online resources. Another proven approach is to teach yourself the basics of stained glass and experiment this craft in your own rhythm and following your own pace. 3. Is this hobby going to become expensive in time? Probably not, especially if you keep it as a hobby and don't turn it into a business. Most tools come in sets and you can choose the very basic offers for a very low price. Even as you advance, and your need for specialized tools increases, you can still purchase used ones for a fraction of the price you would pay in stores. Many people who started creating stained glass objects as a hobby turned it into a business, but it all depends on your personal plans and desires. 4. My artistic skills are low - can I still try to create stained glass? If you are willing to invest a few hours of your time and do a little research, chances are you will be able to produce some nice looking stained glass quite soon. Your artistic ability can be trained to expand, and you can begin by following the thousands of models and patterns presented in books and online resources. There is no shame in replicating objects from a book until you get a feel on how to master the craft, after which you will be able to turn your own creativity into real objects. 5. I have heard about different stained glass methods, such as copper foil and leaded glass? Is there a significant difference between the two? These are the two main and basic methods of creating stained glass. If you are using the copper foil method, you have to wrap the glass in copper foil and then use your soldering iron to get them together. Using the copper foil method can create a very large variety of stained glass art, so this is most likely the one you should learn first. The second option - leaded glass - is a little more complex. You will have to use some preformed lead pieces that will ensure glass adhesion. The leaded joints are then soldered and then the whole object is puttied to allow it to become durable. 6. What kind of objects can I create by using stained glass? Your own creativity is the limit here! However, most people create all sorts of lamp style, by far the most popular stained glass product. However, as there is no limit to what you can create, you might also consider other items, such as decorative panels, boxes, kaleidoscopes, ornamental stained glass elements and so on.