Progress on Panel

I have been working away on the panel and have now finished cutting, grinding and foiling the pieces.  My cutting is getting better as I noticed I need less and less grinding on the last pieces I cut.  Here is a picture of the panel as it sits:

Started the "Enlightenment" Panel

Well, I finally started the panel I had the dream about.  It is the catalyst for getting me to finally take a class.

I went shopping Saturday at one store and Sunday at another store and bought the glass I needed for the project.  Made a copy of the pattern (actually two copies) at Staples for $4 and then cut one up to glue to the glass for cutting and grinding.

Here is the project so far...

Business card holders...

I've been thinking about making some quick business card holders so thought I'd try one first with a pattern and then tweak my own designs.  I have been drawing (rough sketch) some designs, I thought it would be a nice small piece that you could design for the person you are making it for.  I'll post more on this later.

So, last night I couldn't sleep so I cut out a pattern for my first business card holder.  I finished it this morning.  Here are some pics:

Vacation over now back to creating and learning...

I started working on a Red and Clear project.  Had trouble cutting the clear as it was very seedy lots of bubbles (not good for a beginner).  Ended up having to change clear glass because broke too much and ran low.  I had this great craft hoop I bought thinking this pattern would be perfect and the hoop would make a sweet frame.  Well...I didn't know the solder wouldn't stick to the metal the hoop is made of so there goes my perfect frame.  The piece was cut sloppy as I was cutting without patterns glued on the paper. 

The actual pattern being attached to the glass has made a big difference in my cutting percission and my grinding benifits as well.  Now I have "not so perfect" edges in some spots.   Not to worry, I'll get better and my pieces will show progress.


Here are some pics of the Hoop Horror:

UPDATE:  11/03/10

I took the hoop into the stained glass shop and Heidi showed me how to get the hoop prepared to accept solder.  You take fine steel wool and scrub the metal hoop completely the more the better.  Then flux and solder. 

The Eye Design

I had a dream a few weeks ago about a stained glass window that I created that had an eyeball in the center.  When I woke up the next morning, I keep thinking about the piece and did a rough drawing on paper.

I began in earnest to draw out the piece I saw in my dream and have now done so...the pattern is full scale and all I need to now is buy the glass.  I hope to be able to complete this project in the next few months but there are still tons I need to learn.  For example, I want to add metal (I assume copper sheet) as the eyelid and also would like to add eyelashes cut from same metal and turned black with Patina.  Here is a picture of the eye window drawn out.  The center will NOT have the recycle logo but will instead be completely black.

Next small project...

Here is the pinwheel I just cut out.

Final Beginners Class Report

I had the 3rd and final beginners class last night.  We worked on completing our projects by soldering.  OK...I know how to solder as I have some experience doing electronic soldering...NOT EVEN CLOSE to being the same!

I futzed around with trying to get the solder lines perfect but of course they will never be perfect.  I finally called it and put the zinc border on which I am still not happy with the way that looks either.  But after spending some time looking closely at the pieces hanging in the glass studio, those solder line are not perfect either and some of the pieces have straight edged zinc borders not even mitered which I did do. 

Practice is what I need so I will mess with my project a bit more at home until I am happy with it and the next piece I will do some practice BEFORE I start to solder. 

Anyway, I love the look of the piece and plan on doing a black patina on the lead lines and the zinc.  I will post a completed picture of it and will probably keep the first piece as a measure of my humble beginnings.