Lilly & Easter Eggs

Trying out a new way to make stained glass patterns where I take a photo of the original draft and re-size it to fit a standard 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper for printing. You have to then print the original draft (new size) and using a light box, trace over the pattern. This leaves you with a simple line drawing of the pattern. You can then make personal edits and instructions.

Here is a new stained glass pattern I drew up to do this.
Feel free to use it yourself and share.

The pattern is available here>>>  Lily & Easter Eggs

New Stained Glass Backround Patterns

I came up with 2 new stained glass background patterns.

Click to visit> "Belle" & "Susan"

These are a little different in that I used Tiffany style lamps to make these.
Please let me know what you think and comment below :)

Stained Glass Contests

Seems that even during a sluggish economy glass folks still know how to support vendors with sponsorship opportunities with contests that revolve around creativity.

For example...(click to visit >>) StainedGlassville is having a contest  with some interesting twists. Members will participate in choosing the stained glass pattern design concept for a new book. With a simple idea or suggestion based on the theme for the book "Center Motifs" they will be awarded a prize if their idea chosen by the author.

The pattern will then be drawn up for the second leg of the contest where a first completed stained glass piece from the design gets a prize and finally the members piece of the most creative use of the pattern voted by their piers.

Finally the stained glass work chosen in the final vote will be used on the cover of the new book along with credits inside to all of the contest winners.
Contest is open to all SGV members and all projects will be viewable by both members and casual visitors to the forum.


Another contest currently running over at (click to visit) Artisan's of Glass (AOG) where the theme is "Spring".
The contest "Spring Forward" requires participants to include a reasoning how their project relates in theme to spring and will be judged on this by a member poll. Two categories or options are available... "Cold Glass" and "Hot Glass". Entries must meet certain criteria with minimal requirements.

AOG's contest is open and viewable for members only.

Easy Valentine's Heart Stained Glass Pattern

Looking for an easy pattern for Valentine's day?
Here's a free pattern: Teacup Rose in a Heart.

More free stained glass patterns- Free Stained Glass Pattern Directoy 

And even more free stained glass patterns for valentines Day can be found here- Free Stained Glass Patterns | Valentines Day

Stained Glass Installed: Good Shepherd Church

Here's the updated photos of the finished stained glass using the churches old stained glass windows inserted into and surrounded by new glass. I also made a new transom window using the theme "Good Shepherd" along with half round tops.

Free Stained Glass Pattern Directory

Hope you enjoy our new directory. Please remember to bookmark us because our free patterns change often.

Free Stained Glass Pattern Directory

Free Stained Glass Website Backgrounds

I'm working on a new website offering free graphics of stained glass window backgrounds for use on websites, blogs, twitter or anywhere you want.
Please add feedback or if you use one of these patterns I would love to know :)

Free Stained Glass Backgrounds

Here's a few examples...

Free Christmas Stained Glass Patterns

I've been doing a little looking around online for free holiday stained glass patterns. Found quite a few! Please respect the artist's copyright and use policies :)

Angel with Harp by Alpine Glass
Angel Carrying Harp sun catcher by Alpine Glass
Angel Teddy Bear Stained Glass Christmas Pattern
Apple Wreath
Candle Night Light by Spectrum Glass
Christmas Bells
Christmas Collection
Christmas Candle
Coca Cola Santa
Gingerbread House
Gingerbread Man
Gingerbread House 3D project
Holiday Bow
Holly and Chickadee
Holly Medallion
Holly and Mistletoe Candle Holder
Lion and Lamb
Running Santa
Santa by Spectrum Glass
Santa Claus with Bag of Toys
Skating Snowman
Star Snowflake
Stocking by John Reid
Turkey and Cranberries (works for Thanksgiving too)
Turtle on Skiis by Paned Expressions Studio's
Suncatchers with Austrian Crystals
Easy Christmas Sun Catchers by Warner
Xmas Lantern by Vit-Mar

WARNING: You may spend too much time on my blog and miss out on holiday shopping.
Here's a great time saver everyone would love to get from Santa...



If you would like to share a web link to a free holiday stained glass pattern please leave a comment below. We'll add it asap!

Stained Glass Weather Vane

I really enjoyed doing this small panel of a clients friends weather vane.
The process is using copper overlay that is bead soldered then set over the field of the panel. The window accents were done with paint fired in a kiln. I also used copper patina then overlapped that with black to get a nice weathered bronze finish on the geese and left the roof top a copper patina which is also using an overlay with copper and solder.

Tiffany Peacock Stained Glass Installed

Only regret was the dark and gloomy day that didn't make a great photo opportunity.
I did get a nice shot of the setting area with the tub and some of the amazing tile work.

Here's a close up of the head area...

 

Custom Tiffany Peacock Pattern

Work in progress is this peacock window designed from a Tiffany Studios original stained glass window. The challenge for me is to expand the design to fit the clients eyebrow shaped window opening. I added additional balusters and some more background detail including another boat. The overall size when finished is 57" wide by 50" tall.



I'll post more images during the work progress and when the finished panel is installed.

Here's the finished window precariously hanging onto my bench.
I should have better photo's once installed.

Tiffany Peacock Stained Glass Panel Progress

I have one side soldered and now am using the whole bench to flip over the panel. It's nearly impossible to do otherwise and without reinforcement bars. Bars will be installed later once the back side is finished and I flip it back over.
Turning a large window this way is very easy to do and is quite safe. There is a lip at the bottom of the window held securely to the bench with 2 1/2" deck screws preventing the panel from sliding off. I also attached 2 support braces on either side of the bench to keep the whole process at a good angle to easily lift the glass off and turn it around.

I'll post more photos as I go along :)

Old & New Stained Glass Comes Together

I restored the old medallions for the church and await the committee approval on my proposed drafts. Using windows from the soon to be demolished old church by inserting them in a newly constructed stained glass window is both challenging and rewarding.

Restorations included removing bulging, repairing a few pieces of glass, cleaning and re-weatherproofing or cementing the window. The original perimeter lead was also replaced with new 3/8" flat lead that matches the rest of the window. This new lead will accept the new surrounding pieces of glass and be easier to solder to. The small trick in replacing the old perimeter lead is to carefully cut it mid way on the outside glass segments and gently heat up the old solder joints to release the old lead.
Cutting the lead allows you to rock free the old lead without twisting the attaching lead you are keeping. Once the old lead is removed you now have a tinned area to attach the new lead. Without this tinned area soldering becomes nearly impossible due to the oxidation of the old window. In this case the windows are over 100 years old.
The original lead held up remarkably well for it's age and doesn't need replacing.

I am bidding on an eyebrow transom "Good Shepherd", two sidelites and matching half round panels. This will complete the entry way of the church.




Sidelite panel with top 1/2 round


Eyebrow Transom