You can make all kinds of designs and decorations out of stained glass.
Making stained glass at home can be an exciting and rewarding hobby. You can use stained glass to make window designs, frames for pictures and mirrors, decorative boxes, panels for cabinet doors, sun-catchers and much more. Although making stained glass may seem like a daunting prospect at first, once you master certain basic techniques it becomes much easier.
Instructions
1. Decide on the kind of project you want to begin with. Opt for a smaller project such as a decorative panel to begin with. Choose a design with simple shapes and straight lines. You may wish to design your own. There are many pattern books to choose from, and the internet has a wealth of free patterns.
2. Select the glass colors that you want to use. There are many kinds of stained glass with different colors and textures. Special coatings (reflective, iridescent etc.) add even more possibilities. For a beginner, inexpensive materials are a good idea as any mistakes will prove less costly.
3. Make two copies of your pattern on paper. Make the lines dark for visibility and thick so as to allow for the foil and solder. Number and color each section. These are your templates. Use the first as a guide when cutting your pieces. Use the second to lay the pieces of glass on as you cut them, to better keep track of them.
4. Score the glass, holding your glass cutter vertically. Start with the largest pieces. Do not score too deeply. Use the running pliers to gently separate the glass along the score line, or place the score line over the edge of your table and gently press down until the glass snaps. Rinse each piece in a basin of water with a small amount of ammonia, drying on a lint-free towel.
5. Place copper foil around the edge of each piece. Burnish (rub) the foil with the stick to ensure good adhesion. Apply the flux (resin) to the section of foil you intend to work on. Place the pieces to be joined edge-to-edge. Heat the soldering iron. Place the tip of the solder lightly against the foil, touching the tip of your iron. Move both at a steady rate along the joint.
6. Measure and cut the zinc came (a grooved frame) to fit the outline of your pattern. Insert your stained glass design into the channel. Place flux at the frame's joints and any place where a soldered line touches the frame. When this side of the glass is cool, turn over the piece and repeat for the other side. This zinc frame is very important for the stability of your finished piece.
