How do I care for my stained glass piece?
When your piece arrives, it has been cleaned and polished with a finishing compount to give it a lovely shine and seal the solder lines to protect them from oxidization.
The safest and easiest way to gently clean and maintain your piece is with a dry microfiber cloth. Gently dust and buff away any streaks on your piece before rehanging.
If your piece needs a more significant clean, you can use a very mild water and dishsoap solution to gently wash. This will remove the sealing layer so I recommend polishing with a carnuba based wax to keep it looking it’s best!
Never use harsh chemicals like windex, vinegar or amonia to clean your piece. It can damage the materials and shorten the lifespan of your artwork.
Occaisionally, a white fuzz-like oxidation can appear on stained glass works, especially if they are in a high -humidity environment. Don’t panic! To remove this, you can use a soft toothbrush or a Q-tip to gently scrub it away and then apply a fresh coat of carnuba-based wax to reseal.
How is my stained glass piece made?
Your stained glass was handmade using the traditional Tiffany-style method:
Each piece of glass was cut out by hand using a scoring tool, broken out of the glass sheet with breaking pliers, then ground on a glass grinder.
The pieces are then thuroughly washed and wrapped by hand in a thin layer of adhesive copper foil which is then carefully burnished smooth and any imperfections trimmed with an Xacto knife.
Next, the piece is soldered together and any border or decorations added.
Patina is applied to change the solder from bright silver to either black or copper.
Finally, each piece if thoroughly cleaned and polished to a shine.
Where does the glass come from?
Most of the glass in my pieces comes from the USA/Mexico, however recently glass from China has started to really improve and come in at much lower pricepoints.
The primary manufacturers I use are:
Oceanside
Wissmach
Youghiogheny/Uroboros/Oceana
Artisan Glass
Mississippi Glass
Whenever possible, I try to use reclaimed glass. Usually these come from someone who has gotten out of the craft or from a piece that has been deconstructed.
How long does it take to make a stained glass piece?
The time it takes to construct a piece or panel can vary wildly depending on size and complexity. Even my smallest pieces take a mimimum of several hours. Larger, more complex pieces can take many days or over a week!
Do you make custom pieces?
I certainly do! If you can dream it up, chances are I can construct it for you!
From pet portraits to reimagining your own artwork into a panel, I can help you design the perfect panel for your home.
Can you repair my broken stained glass object?
Yes, most of the time I can help with a broken stained glass piece!
If you’re interested in having a piece looked at for repair, you can email me pictures of the piece or make an appointment to bring it by my studio so I can examine it in person.
The cost of repairs can often surprise people because it is usually higher than anticipated. Especially with older or antique objects, the time and care it takes to properly repair can be significant. Any 3D object, such as a lamp, can also take a significant amount of time to repair properly. I’ll always give you an estimate and keep you updated on the progress of your repair to avoid any surprises.
Unfortunately, glass pieces that have been slumped or kiln formed are beyond my scope and abillity to repair.
What’s the best way to display my stained glass?
The best way to display any stained glass piece is to have it securely mounted to surface.
For small and medium sized pieces, you can suspend them from the window casing via a small metal clip that uses the piece’s own weight to hold it securely without damage to your window frame/casing. Alternatively, you can use a small screw to hang from.
It is never recommended to use a suction cup to hang your pieces. Especially in climates where weather can change dramatically (Calgary chinook, anyone?), the temperature changes can cause the suction hook to lose adhesion and fall off the window. If you are planning to use a suction cup, please remove it regularly to minimize the risk.
Larger pieces should be mounted directly into your window frame with screws so you can enjoy many years with them. Panels generally have eye screws in the top corners to suspend the piece with chains.
If your piece is a full window panel, it will be mounted on the inside of your existing window and secured with caulking, clips, trim or a combination of these.
The least invasive way to mount a piece is to simply lean it against your window on the sill. This method may not be the most appropriate in homes where people/pets might cause them to fall.
Some pieces are designed to hang on interior walls, such as decorative stained glass mirrors. In these instances, you simply want to ensure you have your mounting hardware securely installed into a stud.
Do you offer lessons?
I do! Currently I offer private one-on-one lessons out of my home studio. I can accomodate up to two or three people. Each class is specifically tailored to the student and what they hope to get out of it.
I can create a class for a first timer who has never cut class or I can help an established artist perfect their cutting/soldering. It all depends on what you’d like!