|
||
|
|
|
| |
||
| The Craft of Stained Glass | ||
 |
Artwork & Design, Sketch, Cartoon |
 |
Trace and Cut Patterns After the scale design is approved, a cartoon (an exact, full size drawing of the window) is drawn and from the cartoon, stiff paper patterns for glass cutting and a working drawing for assembly are made by tracing over the cartoon. The patterns are numbered for identification and cut apart with 3 bladed scissors that allow for the heart of the lead came that will be used to assemble the window. |
 |
Selecting and Cutting the Glass Some say that the selection of the glass is the most important step in the process of making a stained glass window. The patterns are matched with various colors and textures of glass so that when cut, each piece will embody the artist's vision as expressed in the original rendering. After careful selection, each piece of glass is hand cut with a steel wheel cutter using the paper pattern as a guide. |
 |
Surface Treatment: Sandblasting, Etching, Painting, Staining and Firing Pieces of colored or clear glass may be assembled into a beautiful window; or, some or all of the glass may be enhanced before assembly. Through the centuries, many techniques have been developed by artists to enhance the surface of the glass and change the way light passes through it. We can remove surface material to reveal another layer below by applying hydrofluoric acid to the glass; we can grind or sandblast away the surface to frost it or carve deeper and define forms. We apply vitreous paint, either as an opaque line or area or as a patina with a matt, either smooth, stippled or textured, or in any way that an artist can imagine and we permanently fuse the paint to the surface of the glass by firing in the kiln. A glowing golden color is created by applying "stain" (silver nitrate) to the back surface of the glass and firing the glass at precisely the right temperature. |
 |
| Assembly with Lead Came The glass is ready to be assembled. In collaboration with the artist, the size of each lead (which comes in various widths and profiles) is selected and the assembling (glazing) starts in one corner of the bench. Great care is given to the structure of the window. Leads are "weaved" for greatest strength so they will best work with the previously established pattern of support bars (also known as reinforcing bars or rebars). After all of the leads are fitted, mitered and straightened, all of the joints are soldered smoothly together. |
|
| Weatherproofing and Reinforcing After the panel is assembled, it is waterproofed, cleaned and stiffened with linseed oil putty. This is hard work, but when finished the leads will glow softly and the glass will shine. The last step in the shop is to reinforce the leaded panel by soldering steel bars to the surface. Copper wires that will be twisted around round bars are also used, often in older installations. |
 |
 |
Installing the finished Windows: Custom Frames and Exterior Protective Glazing Installation day is always fun, we get to take our act on the road and hear some applause. And it can be a challenge as half the work is often just getting to the window openings. We build scaffolding, we climb and sometimes we are on our knees. At new buildings just under construction, we hope the paint on the walls is dry and there is not too much plaster on the inside surface of the protection glass. (It all gets cleaned before the stained glass goes in.) At an older site, we may have to remove existing glass before we put in the new glass. We may remove old framing and install new frames and often new exterior protective glazing. It is always such a good feeling to see the results of all of our efforts and we always linger at the site, a bit reluctant to leave our work behind. |
