Stained Glass Supplies
Stained glass is a craft and art form that requires a variety of supplies. With the correct tools and some know-how, you can create a variety of beautiful stained-glass projects.
What supplies are needed for a stained-glass project?Whether you want to make sun catchers, garden ornaments, and other objects, you will need several stained-glass supplies. Along with a marker, a straight-edge ruler, and a pattern, you will need a few specialized tools. These include:
- Glass: This will be needed for each of the panes that you put in your project. There is a wide range of color and texture options.
- Glass cutter and grinder: A glass cutter is used to score the glass so that it will break on a straight line. A grinder is then used to smooth and trim down edges.
- Pliers: There are two types of pliers that you will need: grozing and running. Grozing pliers are used for gripping near the score line and nipping uneven edges. Nipping will save you from replacing grinder heads as often. Running pliers are also used for breaking at the score line, but they are better for larger pieces and curved lines.
- Copper foil or lead came: Foil or came hold the pieces of glass together. Using copper foil or lead came is a choice based on the project and personal preference. Lead is heavier than copper, so some people prefer copper for larger projects because it will keep the piece lighter.
- Soldering iron and solder: The solder and soldering iron are used for fusing the copper or iron together.
Some of the most common projects for stained glass are sun catchers and lamp shades. However, stained glass objects can be put wherever they will catch light.
What types of stained glass are available?There are three basic components to any piece: color, texture, and bevels. Glass can be clear, or it can come in any color imaginable. Glass can be smooth like the pane of a window or have a texture. Finally, glass can have bevels, or it can have straighter edges.
How should a beginner choose a stained-glass project?If you are a beginner, you will first need to get a feel for the techniques. Try learning cutting and breaking techniques with clear, smooth glass. Clear pieces are less expensive than colored ones, and smooth glass is easier to score and break smoothly. Once you have a feel for this, pick out a pattern. If you are a beginner, start with a fairly simple object, then work your way up to more complex project. Since straight cuts are easier to score and break, you might be more comfortable avoiding patterns that require curved or intricate cuts.