Introduction to Stained Glass ~ Your First Project Using the Tiffany "Copper Foil" Method

This guide was created by an experienced glass crafter and teacher to help you decide if the stained glass hobby is right for you and to help you select the tools and materials you'll need for your first project.  It doesn't tell you everything you'll ever need to know ~  this is a lifelong process, but gives you a good "jumping off point" to a wonderful and extremely satisfying hobby or money making venture. Warning: Stained glass crafting is very rewarding and can become addictive.  You have been warned. : )

Creating stained glass panels, lamps, windows and suncatchers is a wonderful hobby.  Each piece is a one of a kind heirloom and an object of beauty.  There are very few hobbies I know of where you can create something with such great value with a reasonably small investment in raw materials.  In my area, unframed stained glass pieces sell for about $125 per square foot and can be created for a small fraction of that amount.  Stained glass windows and cabinet doors, even small ones, can greatly increase the appeal and value of your home.  Because you are an ebay customer, you have access to all types of stained glass supplies at a cost that is about half of what you'd expect to pay at a brick and mortar store. 

The Process Explained ~ How Stained Glass Panels (pictures) are Created ~ A Brief Outline

• The perfect pattern is chosen and traced using carbon paper to a water resistant paper called oilboard.  (If oil board isn't available, heavy weight paper or vellum can be used.)  The oil board pattern is cut using special three bladed scissors called foil pattern shears.

• Glass is chosen from hundreds of textures and colors to make the individual pieces of the glass picture. 

• The pattern pieces are then glued onto the sheet glass. (Some people prefer to trace the pattern pieces onto the glass using a sharpie marker.)
• The glass is scored (scratched) around the pattern pieces using an oil-fed carbide wheel glass cutter and then broken using special tools called running pliers and breaker/grozer pliers. 

• The individual pieces are then shaped to exact specifications using an electric glass grinder or by hand using a carbonium stone.

• Once the stained glass picture fits together perfectly, (all the pieces are ground and checked for accuracy) its ready to be foiled.  
• The pieces are each "framed" around the sides and edges in adhesive backed copper foil tape to provide metal "seams" where flux is applied. This is called foiling.  These seams provide a base where solder can be applied to create the internal structure that holds the piece together.  

• Using a soldering iron and solder made especially for stained glass fabrication, the pieces are soldered together.

• When the piece is completely soldered, it is cleaned with a glass cleaner and then, if desired patina is applied to change the silver colored solder seams to either ablack or copper color.
• The project is then polished and if desired, framed. The panel below is in my kitchen window.

Choosing the Tools, Supplies and Equipment Needed for Your First Project ~ Either by the Individual Component or as a Kit

Ebay is full of great stained glass retailers and because of stiff competition, offers the best prices available anywhere.  There are many stained glass starter kits on ebay and some are a great value and some look better than they really are. 

The two most important components in a Stained Glass Starter Kit are the glass cutter and the grinder.  A good glass cutter makes up about 25% of the value of most stained glass starter kits.  Toyo glass cutters are the industry standard and can outlast imitations by 25 times!  For hobby and normal studio (non production) work,  cutters by Studio Pro and Gryphon are also quality choices. Stained Glass Grinders come in a wide range of prices and in most cases, you get what you pay for.  For example, many stained glass starter kits come with a Wizzling grinder which people confuse with the Wiz CG which is much more powerful.  Please see my guide on Choosing a Stained Glass Grinder for detailed information. 

Thank You!

I appreciate that you've taken the time to view my guide!  If you have any questions, please feel to email me.  I have tried to present an unbiased opinion that doesn't favor any particular vendor or company.  If you are in the market for stained glass supplies, I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.

In loving memory of my best friend and grandfather,  Jake.   1904-2005

  Thinking of you brings a smile to my heart.

.