Does anyone here make stained glass?Do you have any resources for it?

[w8liftinglady]

I would love to learn how to do it and am looking for a good,SIMPLE reference.

[redqueen]

1. Most craft stores should have beginners' kits...

nothing fancy, but enough to give you a feel for it so you can decide whether or not you want to invest more time / money.

Good luck! I did some as a kid... it was fun. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear w8liftinglady!

I don't make it...

But we have one in our home: Enjoy!

[Fire Walk With Me]

4. How beautiful. That must be something with the sun behind it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear Peake!

Thanks...

It does indeed have the sun behind it. The window's in a south-facing wall, which is perfect...

It's three feet in diameter.

[w8liftinglady]

6. OMG..that is gorgeous!

I figure I will probably start with something like this..

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear w8liftinglady!

And that will be wonderful!

The artisan who made our window had been doing stained glass for many years...

Thanks for your compliments!

:hi:

[mitchum]

11. Even something like that will be an exercise in tedium...

when I was doing it professionaly, I absolutely hated making copper foiled pieces. I prefered making large church windows or even sidelights and transoms for McMansions. Channeled lead came is much easier to work with than foil. Much easier :)

[applegrove]

3. Sometimes there are beginners classes. A friend of mine took one and enjoyed it very much.

[mitchum]

5. Most glass studios and many craft stores offer classes...

it really is a skill that it is best learned in a hands on fashion.
Take it from a former glass jockey, it will not take long to grasp the basics.

[msanthrope]

7. You need space and storage----

Having done it (gave it up when I became pregnant--fumes and glass don't mix with kids,) you need a goodly amount of dedicated space and storage for the glass itself. You will also have chemicals and tools that will need storage and care.

Get a glass grinder. It's a shortcut, but well worth it. Also, invest in the more expensive type of glass cutter and nippers--good tools are worth the money.

[DarkTirade]

9. I've never done it, but we do sell kits and supplies for basic stuff at my store.

No actual metal or anything, just cheap alternatives to the real thing. But what I've seen looks fairly nifty. :)

I'd assume any Michael's craft store across the country would have the same stuff.