Copper Foil Stained Glass
Copper Foil Stained Glass involves use of small pieces of glass which are cut and then arranged in attractive ways to depict a number of different designs as well as pictures of certain events. In this particular method of making stained glass works, the artist will need to use copper foil tape which is used for wrapping the edges of each individual piece of stained glass which will then have to be soldered together. In this way, the stained glass pieces will form a two dimensional work but it is also possible to create three dimensional items of copper foil stained glass. The method used to solder the individual stained glass pieces together is often referred to as the Tiffany stained glass technique.
Stained glass – lead or copper foil?
Besides copper foil stained glass, one can also create similar works by using lead instead of copper foil. However, the latter option is more complicated which is why copper foil stained glass enjoys greater popularity. Copper is the preferred material among most stained glass artists who like the fact that copper foil stained glass will not bow and it is also waterproof and it even offers greater strength as compared to lead. In addition, copper foil can easily be bought on the market where it is sold like normal office tape and it also has some amount of adhesive backing which is another reason to use copper foil.
Buy the right size
It is important for you to check that you are buying the right size of copper foil as this will influence the thickness of the seams that will hold the various copper foil pieces together. Copper foil is also very malleable and this factor helps to ensure that artists are able to create copper foil stained glass works that are much more intricate as well as delicate in their design. This is why virtually every piece of stained glass lamp shade has been used with the help of copper foil. Such lamp shades have very intricate designs and copper foil is the best option as it also ensures that the artist can create three dimensional pieces which is not possible with the lead method.
Getting acquainted with stained glass
In fact, most people that are just starting to get acquainted with stained glass will actually be taught about the copper foil stained glass method before they are introduced to lead processes. This gives the student a chance to be more creative and that in turn means that they will be able to create more attractive copper foil stained glass pieces. However, it is important for a stained glass artist to understand both methods. If they wish to learn to create stained glass pieces in two dimensions then the lead method is the better option.
Copper foil stained glass pieces are generally a lot more intricate and delicate as compared to stained glass pieces that are made with the lead method. The copper foil method should also be used when you wish to create stained glass products in three dimensions. By experimenting with the copper foil method a stained glass artist will be able to create some truly impressive and attractive items of copper foil stained glass.
