Stained glass techniques undertaken by Wandle Glassworks, including: leaded lights, copper foil, fused glass, acid etching and glass painting

Hand painted panel [click on image to enlarge] To be precise, the term "stained glass" really only applies to permanently painted and fired glass, such as the decorative figures and details found in church windows or traditional leaded lights. However, the term has also been adopted to include work that relies solely on the qualities of the coloured glass used.

Edwardian style leaded lights [click on image to enlarge] Stained glass comprises of pieces of coloured, clear or textured glass being cut into shapes that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. The glass pieces are then assembled using two techniques - leading and copper foiling.

Leading is the traditional technique used for windows and doors and any leaded lights that need to be weatherproof. Lead canes (lengths of lead channels either H or U shape in profile) hold the pieces of glass together, and each joint is soldered on both sides.

Tiffany style poppy lamp (from above) [click on image to enlarge] The Copper Foiling technique can be attributed to Louis Comfort Tiffany - creator of the beautiful Tiffany lampshades and windows of the late 19th Century. Copper foil is stuck to the edges of the cut glass, and then the pieces are soldered along the seams on both sides, finishing with a fine soldered bead on the right side of the piece. This technique creates finer results than lead, but is not suitable for external windows and doors as it is not weatherproof.

Example of fused glass [click on image to enlarge]

As well as painting glass to alter its appearance, glass can be fused in a kiln, sandblasted or acid etched to achieve different results.

Fused glass is where layers of glass are heated in a kiln until the glass becomes molten and bonds together. The new sheet of fused glass can then be heated again over a mold or "slumped" to create glass objects such as bowls or dishes. Glass pieces can also be placed inside a mold and heated in the kiln, which is known as "kiln casting".

Acid etched panel [click on image to enlarge]

Acid etching is where hydrofluoric acid is applied to the surface of the glass to remove the top layer of the glass creating a frosted effect.

Wandle Glassworks specialises in all the above techniques, and can provide you with free no obligation quotations for any of the above. Please contact me for further information.

Amanda Taylor • Tel: 07763 768738 • email • www.wandleglassworks.co.uk

Wandle House • 35 Hosack Road • London SW17 7QW