First Attempt

First Attempt
Work in Progress

Monday, November 22, 2010

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:

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

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...

Saturday, October 2, 2010

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. 

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

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.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

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.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

OK...I was bad, I couldn't help myself.  On Sunday I went to "Works of the Heart" Stained Glass in Kingston NH and purchased all my tools and glass too.  I spent far too much for my budget but I'm worth it and I did it.  I have everything I need now, the grinder (Inland), face shield, pliers (grozier and breaking), pistol grip cutter, silver backed copper foil, solder, soldering iron and stand.  I also purchased some zinc for framing my projects, chain for hanging and about $40 worth of glass.  I went to Home Depot and purchased a ceiling tile for layout and a bench brush and dust pan. 

I am truly all setup for now.  After spending some time organizing all my new things, I cut out a blue, white and clear pinwheel project last night.  I am trying to learn to cut a completely straight line by lining up my cutter with a ruler and sticking tight to the ruler without "wandering" off.  I am getting better at it and only had to re-cut 5 or 6 of the 24 pieces.  I'll post a picture of it later.

Oh by the way, I just want to say that my ghetto homemade light box is working fine but is not even close to being large enough.  I will post more info on this also on a later post.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Second Class

OK...second class went quite well last night.  Did the rest of my cutting and grinding to fit the pieces together and even started the foiling.  Brought home the piece to complete the foiling so I am ready for solder next week.

I have to say...THANK GOD FOR GRINDERS!  My pieces would never have fit if I hadn't used the grinder and used it often.  I will absolutely need to purchase one, it is manditory.  I took some pictures and uploaded them so everyone can see my first project.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Started first class!

I started my first class last night.  There was two other women in the class with me.  We started off the class by practicing cutting on scrap glass.  I am not sure which cutter I like the best yet, the pistol cutter or the one that looks like a pencil.  I think the rentals in the class were a bit dull because both of them sometimes "jumped" during scoring.  I think as far as "feel" in hand, the pistol grip one may be my favorite.

I picked out a lake landscape scene with I believe 12 pattern pieces.  Picked all the glass out...that was a process!  Very hard to make those color/texture decisions. I started cutting out my pieces and got 8 pieces cut out.  I wasn't very careful about trying to stay inside the line while cutting so now I have some grinding to do to get all the pieces to fit together like a puzzle.

I just love doing this and 9pm came way too quickly for me.  I could have stayed and worked for hours longer.  Anyway, next week I will finish my cutting and grinding for sure. 

I am certain I will be purchasing all the supplies to get started at home.  I just want to wait until the first class is over, my first project is done and I have had time to price shop.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Change of Class

Well, the class I was signed up for to start on Saturday only had one signup.  They called to see if I could do the Tuesday night classes starting tomorrow.  It falls at a perfect time, not on call for the next couple weeks so I start tomorrow.

Now I just have to remember to put closed toed shoes in my car before work tomorrow.

Reading everything I can on Stained Glass

I have been researching Stained Glass for the last several weeks,  I keep finding things that I would like to make.  I have read 3 Stained Glass books so far and just about every web site I can find.

I am so excited about this coming Saturday when my first class begins!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Found a great forum board

I have been searching the Internet for stained glass sites and found an excellent forum to join:

http://www.stainedglasstownsquare.com/

It is full of helpful people and information.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Waiting for class to begin

All of my life I have been fascinated by Stained Glass.  I can remember when I was very little creating drawing after drawing of black crayon swirling randomly around a page then filling in the swirls in colored crayon.  My 6 year old version of stained glass.

When I became an adult, it was always on my list of things I really wanted to do but of course I never did.  I used to be a prolific quilter and my quilts always reminded me of stained glass so I know I have always been "meant" to do this.

Anyway, here I am at age 52 finally getting the chance to take my first class!  Class starts Saturday August 21st and I can hardly wait. 

My intention with writing this blog is to share the experience of learning from the beginning.  The good, the bad...all of it.  I hope you will find this interesting.