Whattaya Think?
UNPUBLISHED RESPONSES
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WHATTAYA THINK • SGN #67
UNPUBLISHED RESPONSES • page 4
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Although I am still a beginner, I probably would have been a has been if I had not read that cold glass doesn't break well. I took my first lesson in the spring but with the onset of summer, I had little time to practice. When Fall set in, I got back to my project. My husband had set me up with a little work area in the garage. Well, after breaking several pieces of glass, shedding a few tears of frustration, I was about to give it up and then I was lying in bed reading and there was a little tip on using a hot plate to warm your glass because apparently everyone knows it is not good to cut cold glass..
My work shop is now in the house where the glass and I are warm and happy all year long. Although I have since read other helpful hints, this is the one that saved me. Thank you!
– Leslie Walker
The best advice I would give to a new stained glass hobbyist is to organize your completed projects. I have a large notebook with: the layout pattern, covered in clear packaging tape, for easy cleanup of flux, etc.; an envelope for the pattern pieces, each with the corresponding layout piece number; and a photo of the completed project, listing the manufacturer and glass color/number for background, flowers, birds, borders, etc.
I also use white calligraphy paper for my pattern pieces... easy to copy patterns without a light table and the pieces are sturdy for use multiple times. This is very nice if you are making similar projects with the same pattern (for example, candle holders or vases of the same shape and/or size).
By saving the pattern and pieces, a photo and listing which glass was used, REPAIRS are easy because you don't have to spend time trying to re-match glass... you know what glass was used!!
If you have projects you'd like to do, you can also organize those in a notebook... if you see a glass you like for some part of a future project, make a note of it at the time, then write it on the picture of the stained glass piece. It will save you time later trying to remember which glass you liked for that particular project. Whatever system you use to organize your patterns, completed projects and projects-I-want-to-do, you want to spend more of your hobby time actually doing your glass work—not recopying patterns or searching for matching glass—so keep finding ways to increase your hobby fun time.
No doubt, you will being making stained glass gifts for friends and family. I always include a personal note which lists the glass manufacturer, their location, color and number of the glass for the parts of the gift (ie: Holly leaves are Kokomo 48, Christmas Green. Background is GNA, German New Antique... or Spectrum Waterglass.) You can find interesting info on the glass manufacturer's websites. The receivers of my stained glass art always appreciated reading a little background on the company and/or its glass and what may be special about it... the colors and manufacturing processes and how they add to the overall character of your stained glass art.
– Jill Anne Sparapany