Learning about stained glass
As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve just started a new stained glass class. For those of you who’ve never done stained glass there are basically three styles for creating stained glass art:
Lead - Glass pieces are cut and fit together through channels of lead known as caming. These pieces are then soldered together, framed and cemented. Lead is most often used in projects needing greater strength or waterproofing such as windows.
Copper Foil - The copper foil method was made popular by L. C. Tiffany at the turn of the century. With copper foil your cuts need to be more precise than with lead. After cutting and grinding your pieces are wrapped in copper foil which provides something for the solder to adhere to. The copper foil method is most often used in lamps and other projects requiring intricate detail.
Dalle de Verre - Also known as faceted glass, dalle de verre literally means “slabs of glass” and is a very thick glass first used as an art medium by the Byzantines. These thick slabs of glass can be scored and etched and are most often seen as walls in churches. The faceting of the glass and the reflections it gives off with light give the illusion of precious gems.
The method I am familiar with is copper foil but I’ve always wanted to learn lead and that is exactly what my new class will teach. I’m fortunate enough to be in a very small class of only 4 students which means that I will get a lot of personal attention. We are going to start off doing a small class project of a Victorian window. This week I will spend some time deciding what glass I want to use and next Monday I start to cut. I look forward to sharing the things I learn with you.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
[...] Learning About Stained Glass [...]
March 10th, 2009 at 7:55 am
[...] Stained Glass [...]
May 13th, 2009 at 2:25 am
is it dangerous working with the lead?