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.
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]](lamp1athumb.gif)
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.
As well as painting glass to alter its appearance, glass can be fused in a kiln, sandblasted or acid etched to achieve different results.
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.
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".