Stained Glass Horses - LEADED GLASS TECHNIQUE

GlassWish™ LEADED STAINED GLASS equine windows and panels are handcrafted using similar techniques as the early masters:

1. A pattern is designed (Illustration shown below)
2. Glass is selected for color, purpose and texture
3. The glass is cut by hand.
4. Starting in a corner, glass is placed on the pattern, and the lead “came” is cut to fit precisely around each piece of glass.
5. The pieces of glass and lead are fitted together and held with farrier’s nails until the whole panel is assembled. The panel is then soldered on both sides at each lead intersection.
6. Weatherproofing putty and “whiting powder” are scrubbed into both sides of the panel to push the cement into the grooves of the lead cames. (Whiting process shown in illustration below)
7. The panel is rubbed with a soft brush to remove power and cement. A “fid” is used to clean out all intersecting corners. The panel is rubbed again - to give it a rich, dark polished look.

Stained Glass Horses -COPPER FOIL STAINED GLASS TECHNIQUE
of COPPER FOIL METHOD

                                                                                                                  

Another popular method used for STAINED GLASS PANELS is the COPPER FOIL METHOD. This is used solely on interior installation as it it not weatherproof. (Copper Foil Method is the method used for Tiffany Lamps).

Briefly summarized, the pattern is made, glass is selected and hand-cut as in the leaded glass procedure.

However, at this stage the glass edges of each piece are wrapped in a sticky-backed copper foil, assembled together like a puzzle. Photo shown below shows the glass wrapped in foil.

Next, all foil will be soldered together. Instead of soldering just the joints as in leaded glass, the copper foil is completely covered with solder on both sides.

Next, the frame is added. (Usually zinc or wood).

The panel is cleaned, and a patina is added to give the piece an antique look.