Design
The first thing I need is a design — either I create one of my own or I create one for a client. When working with a client, I will meet with them either in person at their convenience or over the telephone. I have often used email to send drawings and ideas for them to look at and determine what they want specifically in a design. I will create any design that the client is looking for, including size, color, etc. Once I come up with the final design and the client approves it, we would discuss color and glass choices. If it is for a specific window, I will come to the client’s home to take exact measurements and create a template for the window.
The first thing I need is a design — either I create one of my own or I create one for a client. When working with a client, I will meet with them either in person at their convenience or over the telephone. I have often used email to send drawings and ideas for them to look at and determine what they want specifically in a design. I will create any design that the client is looking for, including size, color, etc. Once I come up with the final design and the client approves it, we would discuss color and glass choices. If it is for a specific window, I will come to the client’s home to take exact measurements and create a template for the window.
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Construction
Once I have a full-size drawing of the design, I will begin cutting glass. I use a glass cutter to score and break each piece of glass needed for the design.  |
 I then cut and grind the edges of each cut piece.
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This is a design for a kitchen window where all the pieces have been cut and numbered, ready for construction:
Two Methods
There are two methods of construction for stained glass — the Lead Came method or the Copper Foil method, also known as the “Tiffany” method. I have used both. My choice of method is usually determined by the actual design of any particular piece of work. Sometimes I’ve used both methods in one design.
Lead came involves inserting each piece of glass into a piece of channeled lead came. Copper foil involves wrapping the edges of each cut piece of glass and then soldered together to create a whole.
There are two methods of construction for stained glass — the Lead Came method or the Copper Foil method, also known as the “Tiffany” method. I have used both. My choice of method is usually determined by the actual design of any particular piece of work. Sometimes I’ve used both methods in one design.
Lead came involves inserting each piece of glass into a piece of channeled lead came. Copper foil involves wrapping the edges of each cut piece of glass and then soldered together to create a whole.
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When using lead came in construction, it always begins in a 90 degree corner and builds out from there.
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 Cutting and piecing lead came
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 Soldering the joints.
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These steps are completed on both sides of the work — front and back.
If a design is leaded, I'll brush a “glazing” mixture into all the edges of the lead came to fill in the channels where the glass pieces are sitting.
The whole piece then gets covered with “Plaster of Paris” powder and sits for a while to absorb moisture out of the glazing.
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 This process prevents the glass pieces from rattling and gives solid strength to the structure of the whole design
 I use a stiff bristle brush to scrub off all the powder and glazing material, clean up all the edges and then apply a wax that seals the lead came and shines up all the glass for a sparkling finish.
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Installing the Piece
Once the whole piece is cleaned and shined, it is ready to hang. In the case of a window, we will install it for the client to fit inside the window frame against the existing glass using a silicone caulk to seal it to the
window.
window.
The Completed Project
