Stained Glass

Historically and most precisely this was a term used to describe a process whereby ground glass and metal oxides were mixed together with a carrier medium, and then brushed or otherwise applied to more transparent pieces of glass to permanently color the surface when fired in a kiln at high temperatures.

A process of joining compatible glass pieces together in a kiln. Depending of the style and type of glass used, the glass will usually start to fuse or melt together somewhere around 1300 to 1500 degrees Fahrenheit.

A composition composed of small regular or irregularly shaped pieces of colored stone, glass or ceramic materials, applied to a background and held in place by an adhesive.

Usually cold formed or cold worked glass. Traditionally clear, thicker plate glass pieces with edges that have been ground and polished to an angle other than 90 degrees. Transmitted light is refracted and a prism effect results. Bevels are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and geometric configurations called “clusters”.

Strips of adhesive-backed copper tape. It is used to wrap around the edges of individual glass pieces so that when solder is applied, a strong connection is formed allowing for the assembly of items such as sun catchers and lamp shades. Assembling a stained-glass project using the copper foil technique has come to describe a method used by the studios of Louis Comfort Tiffany, who has been credited with its development.

A more traditional method of assembly used in larger Stained Glass windows. You will usually find examples of this style in churches, and municipal buildings.  The individual glass pieces are joined together with strips of lead metal. This is used because it is a relatively soft and pliable material, that is easily manipulated around the individual pieces of glass. Once the glass pieces are mated to the lead “came”, solder is applied to the joints to bond the work together.