 | Design -
If the piece is
commissioned, I start by
meeting with the client. I like to see where the piece will be
installed or hung. Sometimes this can be accomplished via email (if
the distance is too great). Once I talk to the client about the piece
they have in mind I will begin the sketching/design process. This may
take some time as the designs tend to go through many evolutions. Once
the preliminary design is approved I create the final drawing. This
will become the pattern and layout guide.
The process is similar if I
am creating an original design based on my own idea.
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| Creating the pattern-
During this process I work with my design to
make it work as a stained glass piece. Care must be taken regarding
size and shape of the glass, placement of lead, strength and integrity
of the piece and, of course, the aesthetic value.
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| Layout -
Once the pattern is created and the pieces
are numbered and marked for color and grain of the glass, I have
copies made. I cover one copy with clear contact paper (for protection
against water and chemicals). This layout is then prepared by placing
it on a smooth board a few inches larger than the design and secured
with straight strips of wood to define the outer most edges on 2
sides. Another copy is glued to poster board,
for additional strength, and then the pieces are cut apart using
special scissors that allow for the lead between glass pieces. These
become the actual pattern pieces to use when cutting the glass.
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Layout |
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Cutting the glass -
Using the pattern pieces, the glass is marked
and cut. Some pieces are cut with a hand held glass cutter, other,
more intricate pieces, may need to be cut with an electric glass saw.
| Cutting |
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Leading -
Each piece of glass is held
into place with lead came. These are long strips that are stretched
and cut to fit. Glass pieces are completely surrounded by this lead
came. Once the entire panel is assembled the sections of lead are
soldered together on both sides. The piece is now washed to remove the
flux used in the soldering process.
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Leading |
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| Putty and polish -
Now it's time for the
putty. This is a very messy step. Putty is applied to the entire
surface of the panel and forced, by brushing, into the spaces between
the glass pieces and the lead came. Once
dry, the putty solidifies the panel and makes it weather tight. The
putty is followed by a dusting of Whiting and a thorough brushing to
remove excess putty. Once the putty has dried it is time for a detail
cleaning around all the lead to remove more excess putty. The lead can
then be colored with a patina and polished to a luster.
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Putty and
polish |
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| Finishing -
All that is left now is to
give the piece a final cleaning to make the glass sparkle!
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