Thinking about starting  to create stained glass art? 

Welcome to the wonderful world of stained glass. I have been working with stained glass for 40 years. What? How is that possible? Time has flown by. 

I would like to share some of my experience and knowledge with you before you embark on your journey.  First thing first- DO NOT BUY ANY EQUIPMENT YET!  There are steps you should go through to be sure this is for you and your creativity.

​Step 1- Look for a class. You can check at your local arts council or stained glass supply store.
Step 2- Check out the instructor- you can ask questions before you sign up- how long have you taught? Do they sell their work? Can you get student references? What does the classroom look like? Do they require you to purchase all the tools up front? Not everyone is meant to be a teacher. I have found out I am a better teacher than sales person- not good when you have a storefront!
Step 3- What are the class policies? Can you make up missed classes? What if an emergency comes up, can you reschedule to a future class?
Step 4- Read the book "How to Work in Stained Glass" by Anita and Seymour Isenberg. This is an amazing book and was required reading when I took my first class. It is ageless and like the Bible of Stained Glass.

Take you class and remember you are just starting, do not beat yourself up if things don't go perfectly. Biggest tip: cut your glass as close to pattern as possible. If you don't you will be on the grinder forever. In my classes those students that leave 1/8" all the way around the piece end up getting the title "Grinder Girl" or "Grinder Boy"- jokingly of course!

If you were not required to purchase tools, while taking your class look online- Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, etc. There are people who take a class and buy everything only to give up the craft. You can find deals out there. But be sure you know what you are looking for and check new prices so you do not over spend. I have bought out five people that had whole studios set up and came away with everything you could ever use.

You can reach out to me if you want more information or need help finding someone in your area. If you are in the Wilson NC surrounding area you can always check the calendar on the website for upcoming classes or schedule a class on your own.

Have a wonderful weekend. 

So you are cutting your glass with a traditional glass cutter and you wonder to yourself "do I need a glass saw?". Maybe you do or maybe you don't.

I bought a band saw years ago. I had it for years and never used it because I was afraid it would kick the glass back at me and cut me. I know, big weenie!. I sold it to one of my students and within months I was commissioned to make a piece with stars- not many pieces of glass stars but one piece of glass stars! Ugh! I was kicking myself.

I ended up buying another saw. I lost money on the first and then paid more again for the second. Live and learn seems to be my motto.

Using the new saw was a breeze to cut the stars, after I got over the learning curve! Man did I mess up selling saw #1. I love the band saw. It cuts shapes and a faster cut, it goes back and forth but not side by side. You can do gradual curves.

I have used Ring Saws also. owned one for a minute. You can go side by side and back and forth. The Ring can break easily if push too hard on it or try to do tight curves too quickly. The ring assembly is all plastic parts that can break if not installed correctly.

I just acquired a Wire Saw, which the blade goes up and down not around like the Band and Ring. It is fine for delicate work.

Things you need to know:
-blades are not cheap
-must watch water level
-Sharpie lines will disappear when they get wet, cover them with Chapstick or Vaseline to make them waterproof.

Any questions or information you have on use, I would love to hear from you.

Will stained glass ever rule the world? According to Google: Why is stained glass so important? Basically, stained glass windows developed as a theologically important art form– a way to convey to the masses things the church wanted them to see, think about, and understand, including Christ's death on the cross, His resurrection and then some.

Is stained glass art or craft? According to Google: Insofar as stained glass may be considered an art of painting, it must be considered an art of painting with light. Whatever techniques or materials it may employ, its own most unique and indispensable effects are always the product of coloring, refracting, obscuring, and fragmenting light.
 
I do believe that stained glass will rule the world one day. I can hear you saying that is not possible, a girl can dream though. I know fine artists do not believe that stained glass is not an art form but a craft. Glass artists of cold glass, warm glass and hot glass do consider their work to be artwork, I am one of them. 

​What is you take on this, is stained glass art or craft?