stained glass: getting started

In case ya missed it, stained glass is my new passion. I say that first sentence laced heavily with sarcasm because anyone who knows me in real life… and on here… probably knows that I just won’t shut up about it.

Over the winter, I was lucky to take an amazing class with the Glass Onion here in the Nashville area. So let me start by saying if you have a chance to take an in-person class to learn more about the process of stained glass, DO IT. Nothing can replace that. I’ve received quite a few questions lately about all things stained glass, and I thought it might be fun to share a few of my ideas here as I create. {Hasn’t this site always been about that topic?} I can share my journey as I learn to create more. 

I thought if you’ve always wanted to learn but maybe don’t have access to a stained glass class IRL, you could follow along and try it out for yourselves, too. 

So I thought the best place to start would be at the beginning, with all things supplies. What exactly do you need to get started? Since we have some basic projects coming your way {along with those gigantic doors I decided to create which are currently taking me forever because day jobs and planked ceilings… and because I changed my mind about one of the colors} the most logical place would be what you’ll actually need for a great project. 

Never fear, I’ve rounded up a few supplies here, along with my takes on the product. Hopefully this is a nice place to get started so that you can take a look into the world of stained glass, and the investment of time and funds it may take. 

The process of stained glass doesn’t involve actually staining or painting the glass. The process can be broken down into some basic steps, which I’ll cover in the future. It basically involves cutting and fitting the glass into a pre-determined template, and then soldering the glass together. There are no limits to your fun, colorful designs. Note that there are different processes, and this is just one of them.

The start up cost is probably in the medium to high range when it comes to hobbies. I’m no stranger to oil painting, and I thought that was pretty pricey. Fortunately, you may have some of the supplies already in your home. There are some key elements you’ll definitely need, and some that are considered a luxury. And as my {wise} instructor Bonnie said, “the most expensive investment you’ll make, will be your glass.” 

She wasn’t kidding. 

These pieces are some recent ones I’ve taken on for practice, still waiting to be framed. 

There are ways around it, with careful pricing online, and dutiful searching locally. So I thought it would be best to get started here, and give you guys plenty of time to scope it out, if you’re interested in following along here, with us.

Before we start, please review all safety points here. I think this article covers it perfectly on all things to consider when it comes to your safety and stained glass. 

Space to work.

{Our pool room is a now a combo of stained glass and oil painting studio for me} which is just a sturdy table and definitely a small vacuum cleaner to get all those random shards. I also read that you’ll want a climate controlled space, because cold glass doesn’t cut well. Maybe a heating pad to warm it up in the winter months, if not. 

Here are a few supplies, along with my take on each one: I put it in list form to keep it simple, so the graphic below is just for reference and not complete. The list is. I also divided it into must haves vs. nice to haves. Here we go!

Must-haves:

• Transparency Sheets – here
• Scissors 
• X-acto knife + blades – here + here
• Glue Stick + Sharpie 
• Rubbing Alcohol + Paper towels
• Patterns of choice – I’ll be providing free ones too.
• Ruler 
• Large self-healing cutting mat {Trust me, you’ll be glad you have it.} 
• Bandaids The cuts aren’t bad. You’ll just be glad to have some bandaids nearby.

• Workable surface A surface to work on: I use drywall slabs {as instructed by my teacher} for an affordable surface – it protects the table underneath and you’ll want to use it to hold your piece in place. These also work well for smaller projects.

• Layout block system for stained glass. 6 inch. Order as many as you’ll need, especially for larger pieces. 

• Glass Running Pliers + Grozer Pliers + Grip Oil Feed Glass Cutter Kit. You can purchase all three of these in a pack, here.  But so far a game changer has been the toyo cutter. 

• Glass Cutting Oil. This goes in your glass cutter – it helps with the glass

• Right angle or T-Square + Small Hammer. You’ll use this with your layout system to make sure your framed design is square

• Foil. I prefer this one for now. Make sure the both sides are copper 7/32 is the most versatile. I found prices better locally. 

• Foil Burnisher. Here.
• Pencil. It helps with burnishing.

• Grinder. I’ll upgrade to an inland later, but this is the brand that was recommended to me. I grabbed one at Hobby Lobby because I was so excited to get started. I’d also recommend piecing together some type of splash shield for behind it. I have a makeshift one from cardboard.

• Grinder Bits. Check to make sure that your extra bits correlate with your grinder. I made that mistake once. You’ll want to adjust and then replace every few projects to keep it fresh.

• Grinder Coolant. Helps keep your grinder bit moving + prevents seizing.

• Safety Goggles. Maybe these are over the top and safety glasses will do, but when grinding, I don’t mess around. It’s a simple measure I can take to protect my eyes. 

• Weller Soldering Iron. It’s a great piece for what you’ll need. My instructor recommended wearing a mask when working with this. She wasn’t wrong. You’ll want to add their smaller tips. 

• Solder – 60/40 – this is what bonds the glass together.

• Chemicals to finish it all off: 
• Rags + q-tips
• Clarity Stained Glass Finishing Compound
• Ruby fluid Flux
• Kwik Clean
• Novacan Super Brite Copper Patina {available in other finishes, too. Pick your own color of choice!} 

• Copper Came. 3/8″ Adj U Copper Came – 6 Ft Piece – This is what you will frame your piece with when finished. 

• Saw. Access to a saw for your frame

• Fid pack. This will help you get your came over your finished piece

Nice-To-Haves: {Not included in the board} 

Table foiler. I would actually put this in must haves, because GAME CHANGER. Foiling can make you go a little cross-eyed, and you can definitely do stained glass without this. It just cuts your time in half. And actually makes foiling kinda fun. 

Silicone Trivets. These trivets Can actually catch the extra solder while you work so it can be reused again. 

definitely still fine tuning this one – but I’m working on monogram templates!

Small laminator. I have one leftover from our homeschooling days, but the local Fed Ex will also work too, especially for those really large pieces I know you’ll be tackling in the future. + Laminating pouches. 

Note: You can also cover your template in a piece of transparency if it’s small enough.

Taurus 3 ring Saw. I haven’t taken the plunge yet. But this will help make those smaller cuts in the future and save time. Must be nice. 

Glass organizer. Something to hold your glass. – there are a ton of options

Cricut. A cricut is also helpful with templates, in case you were wondering where on earth this one comes in. But definitely not necessary. More of a luxury. I’ll be honest… taking on all of this at once is a lot, so just hold that idea for now, if you don’t own one. If you DO already own one, it’s a game changer for tracing and cutting those templates.

Stay tuned, because that will probably be a topic I cover all on my own, if you’re interested. Note: this only works with smaller templates in the cutting mat size {12 x 12} realm.

Glass sources: Glass is pricey. I’d look everywhere. My instructor recommended Delphi Glass, and I have been nothing but thrilled with them so far, especially for my large door project I’m currently working on. Some good practice glass can be found locally at Hobby Lobby, but I’ve also found some nice scrap pieces on Etsy. I’d also recommend searching Facebook Marketplace, which I do regularly. You never know when someone locally is going to pitch their late loved ones collection, or they never took it up like they thought it would, and they just want to see it go to a good home. I’m still waiting for my glass windfall. 

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I hope this helps give you guys an idea of where to start. In the future, I’ll be sharing a few how-tos for some simple ideas, as well as patterns that I come up with here, on my own. If you have any questions in the meantime, I’ll do my best to answer… but I hope to see you here, creating with me!

Do me a favor, and let me know what you’d like to know or see covered? I’d love to hear.

Have an inspired day!