Whattaya Think?
UNPUBLISHED RESPONSES
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WHATTAYA THINK • SGN #67
UNPUBLISHED RESPONSES • page 2
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I have had the privilege of teaching well over a thousand students during the past six years. Here's my advice:
When scoring glass, maintain an even pressure throughout the score, from beginning to end. Do a test score on the glass you are using. Different brands require a different pressure. Spectrum glass is the most forgiving if overscored or underscored, so it's nice for beginners. Opalescents require a heavier pressure. Bullseye usually requires less pressure, Kokomo more. Look for the little striations from the surface of the glass along the scoreline after you break it. They should go no deeper than halfway through the glass. Adjust your pressure accordingly.
When soldering copper foil, allow the iron to do the work. Most beginners try to move the iron too fast, and the solder cannot thoroughly melt and blend together. Put the iron down on the solder line, pause a few seconds, pull along the solder line, pausing where other joints come into it so the solder can blend together, then move on. When you reach the end of the line you are soldering, pause before lifting the tip, so you do not leave a crease, and lift straight up so you don't leave a "tail".
The best advice I can give is to take a class from a good instructor at your local supplier and practice, practice, practice.
– Susan OlsonFind a class to introduce them to whatever part of glass working they want. A continuing class would be best. For instance, a workshop that meets once week on a continuous basis. When I first started working with stained glass, I took a class to make a small leaded or copper foil window. Then we decided to meet once a week and this continued for several months. It was invaluable to me to practice my glass art each week and to gain a good working base that I could expand later at my own pace. I have now been making windows, lamps, suncatchers and various other things for about 20 years and that original base of knowledge has been invaluable to me. A few years ago, I took a fusing and slumping class. It met one weekend and left me with lots and lots and lots of questions. I recommend the extended type class where you meet many times over several months over a one weekend approach. And, don't give up! If you get tired or frustrated, take a break. But, if you really love glass, you'll be back!!!!
– Merry Creager