Stained Glass Items
There is several good reasons to use stained glass items. These decorative items have impressed viewers across the globe and this is because stained glass excels at reflecting and diffusing light in the most impressive manner possible. Today, the demand for various kinds of stained glass items has risen and artists across the world are working hard to create even more impressive objects. However, these stained glass items can prove to be quite expensive and this is why some people choose to make them on their own.
Stained glass –create your own items
In order to create your own stained glass items, you will need to invest in some equipment as well as supplies. Next, you will need to practice this art till you are able to perfect it and once your skill levels improve you can try your hand at creating items that are more complex as well as larger. Once you have become involved in this activity you will find that soon you will be hooked to it for the rest of your life. Here is a look at how you can go about creating your own stained glass items.
Suitable pattern
To begin with, you will need to pick a suitable pattern and then you will need to copy it so that you have a couple of copies of it. Next, it is necessary to select some stained glass pieces that you wish to use in your project.
Colour the patterns
Once you have done this, the next step in creating stained glass items is to colour the patterns with the help of crayons or even a good coloured pencil and use the colours well and then preview your handiwork. Take one of the patterns and trace over it with a good marking pen. This pen should have a tip that should be of not less than one eighth of an inch as this will help in creating an outline that is sufficiently flat enough for you to work with copper foil or solder.
Cut the pattern
Next, you will need to cut the pattern with the help of a pair of sharp scissors and cut out all the traces left behind by the marking pen. Take the patterns and spray them in a light manner with some adhesive craft spray and leave them to dry until there are only a bit tacky when touched.
Now, it is time to take the pattern pieces that you have already cut and these should be placed so that the side that was glued is facing downwards and on top of your stained glass pieces. Be sure to match the patterns to the right colours. The edges should be scored around with a good stained glass cutter – preferably one that comes with a pencil grip.
Now, take the scored line and grip its inside edge with a pair of pliers but make sure that you grip them close to the edges and not over them. The outermost edge needs to be gripped with the pliers and with a fast motion in the downward direction snap the glass pieces that surround the design.
The next step in creating your own stained glass items is to even out the edges of teh glass and then wash the stained glass clean with some water and some detergent so that all oil as well as unwanted pieces are removed. Now, you can take the copper foil and attaché it properly and then take a homasote board and put the glass pieces on it and then arrange the pieces properly and use the copper foil with the help of a soldering flux. Once the finished piece is in place, allow it to cool off and then take it and turn it over and use a solder to put some copper wire loop to its top. This is all it takes to make your own stained glass items.
