Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) is associated with Art Nouveau style stained glass lamps and windows. He was nicknamed “Rebel in Glass” because he ventured into many avenues of art glass.

He founded Tiffany and Company soon after the Civil War and employed several artists to carry out his artistic ideas.

Tiffany had studied painting in Paris and when he returned home, he studied medieval techniques in glassmaking.

Louis C. Tiffany-famous stained glass windows artist

From his experimentation of many techniques of glassmaking, he came up with his beautiful “drapery” stained glass which he used to represent the folds and ripples in the robes and gowns of figures in his. Stained glass windows

Tiffany’s first figure stained glass window was built in 1878 using opalescent glass from the Heidt glasshouse. He made his first glass tiles at Heidt glass house, his factory in Brooklyn.

Tiffany’s stained glass designs were unique and constructed with an aim for stability so that they would last and be enjoyed for generations.

Much of Tiffany’s work no longer exists. Without a thought, people threw away Tifffany stained glass lampshades; and, church and cathedral stained glass windows have been destroyed over time.

Many centuries ago stained glass windows were used almost exclusively in grandiose cathedrals. The installation was easily achieved as on opening was made in the stone and concrete structure to the window specifications (or the window was made to the size of the opening).

The metal loops and bars were cemented into the window opening during construction specifically to be soldered to the metal bars and loops that are attached to the stained glass windows.

Installation of stained glass windows

Stained glass in no longer limited to places of religious worship or even to just the rich and famous, so how does one go about installing stained glass windows in a modern day structure?

You have a several options available to you, assuming that you do not live in a grand cathedral and that your home was not specifically constructed with stained glass windows in mind.

One of the easiest ways to install your stained glass windows are over the existing window. Your stained glass windows overlay should measure about 1/8″ smaller around each edge than the original window.

First make sure the existing window and inside window frame is clean and dry, you don’t want any dirt or moisture permanently pressed between the pieces of glass.

When you go to a stained glass artisan, don’t expect to walk in and tell him/her you want a window put in your front door and then ask, “How much will it cost?” The stained glass artisan cannot give you a quote off the top of his/her head. There is a process to arriving at a price for stained glass windows.

When you know that you want custom stained glass windows, you should arrive at the stained glass studio with some facts and ideas before you ask a stained glass artisan for a price quote.

The first thing you need to know is the exact measurement of the opening. The base price of a custom built stained glass piece begins with pricing based on square footage, and then per piece. Therefore, the more intricate the piece is, the more costly.

Each stained glass artisan has his/her own pricing scale. An example of just the basis of the quote would be: $125 per square foot plus $1.50 per piece in the pattern for stained glass windows constructed with lead came.

A lower charge of $110 per square foot plus $1.50 per piece might be given for stained glass windows constructed with copper foil. But that’s just the beginning.

Light is truly the inspiration for stained glass window in both the physical and literal senses. During the Gothic CatEra from about 1150 - 1500 A.D. there was no electricity so alternate ways of lighting Cathedrals was necessary.

Immense and exquisite stained glass window is created and intended to provide physical light by allowing in much needed sunlight, but they were also intended to provide spiritual light.

Stained Glass Window- a Light unto the Soul

The King James Version of the Bible in John 8:12 says “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, you are the light of the world: he that followeth them shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Jesus was the inspiration for and his life, gruesome death and subsequent resurrection were the subject of the majority of stained glass window created during that period in history.

Grand and magnificent cathedrals carved up gigantic stones and supported by immense pillars and flying buttresses reaching up towards the Heavens in worship of God and His son were crowned with beautiful jewels known as stained glass window.

If you have some experience in stained glass handi-crafts repairing your old or damaged stained glass window is a project you may consider doing yourself.

This article assumes you have at least some experience in this craft. If your stained glass window is very valuable, if you do not have any experience in stained glass window making or if you lack confidence in your abilities this is a task you may want to leave to the professionals.

Otherwise, the process is very much like creating a new stained glass window and even a little easier in the sense that you do not have to do much, if any, glass cutting.

Problems and solutions in repairing the stained glass window

Problem #1: The leaded stained glass window cames are around seventy years old (or older) and have become brittle causing bulging or breaking.

This usually begins to happen in a stained glass window over seventy years old. Lead does not rot or rust, but it does lose its elasticity and become brittle over time. If left unattended it may cause the stained glass pieces to fall out or break as well.

The Solution:

This list is meant to help create a shopping list for the beginning stained glass art student.

Not all of the items will be needed for every project, for instance you will use either lead cames OR copper foil and their corresponding accessories depending on the stained glass style you will be working with.

Other stained glass tools listed may be very helpful, but not entirely necessary, one pair of pliers may be enough to do several jobs for example.

Various kinds of stained glass tools and their uses

Glass Cutters- One of the most important stained glass tools you will use in stained glass making, good glass cuts will make or break your project.

These stained glass tools range from very inexpensive carbide steel wheel cutters (you will need to add cutting oil as you go along) to slightly more expensive self-oiling tungsten carbide or pistol grip wheel cutters.

Cutting Oil- This helps to reduce friction allowing a smoother cut and also keeps glass debris from encumbering the cutting wheel’s progress.

Soldering Iron- (pronounced like soldering) these stained glass tools are used to melt lead solder which in turn is used to join pieces of metal, such as the lead cames or copper foil that will hold your stained glass pieces together.

If you have a retail stained glass supplies shop, you probably already have a wholesale account set up with a supplier like Ed Hoy’s or Delphi Glass, but what if you don’t have stained glass supplies shop and you are a stained glass hobbyist? There are several places you can go to buy stained glass supplies.

You can establish a retail account with some of the same stained glass supplies companies with which retail stores set up their wholesale accounts.

Most require credit cards to pay for your purchases if you order by phone from their stained glass supplies catalogs. Some allow you to pay by check, but wait until the check has cleared before they ship your stained glass order.

Magazines provides different advertisements for stained glass supplies

Stained glass magazines are full of advertisements for stained glass supplies and you can search on-line. The magazine advertisements and articles also show pictures of some of the stained glass supplies available so you get an idea of what the different types of glass look like.

The stained glass supplies catalogs have color pictures of all the glass and colors they offer. The only problem is that you can’t get a true feel of the glass and see exactly how it looks with natural light going through it.

The lead came method of stained glass construction gives an appearance of uniform lines and an antique look. The lead channel is wrapped around the glass and then joined at the “seams” or joints by a bead of solder.

Lead came, used for joining pieces of stained glass, comes in one channel, called “U came,” or two channel, “H came,” strips about six feet long.

Lead came technique for the construction of stained glass patterns

“U” lead strips are used to frame the outside edges of stained glass, especially on small sun catchers or ornaments with only two or three glass pieces.

In larger stained glass patterns, the “H” lead strips are used to join two pieces of glass together, placed inside the grooves.

Stretching the lead strips before fitting it around the stained glass makes the lead more rigid and stronger. Some lead is pre-stretched, but might have acquired some kinks or bends in packaging, so you may want to stretch it a little to get the kinks out.

Do not over-stretch as it will narrow the grooves in the channel, making it too narrow to fit around the stained glass patterns. Lead that is stretched too much will break.

You have honed your stained glass construction skills and have given all your friends and family stained glass gifts for every occasion. Why not earn back some of your expenses and more? You can and you can have fun doing it.

Most stained glass hobbyists find that they have several beautiful stained glass gifts like candle votives, suncatchers and other small projects on hand.

They often test the waters by beginning with booths at craft fairs and other similar events. Most small booths at craft fairs are reasonably priced. You don’t have to spend a lot of money for an elaborate setup.

If your booth is indoors, a few bright lights shining on your stained glass gifts will enhance their beauty and attract attention.

It is best if you can hang the suncatchers, so you could build a portable frame topped with lattice work and hang them with plastic fishing line. Be sure to weight the frame down if you are outdoors. One gust of wind can destroy all of your work.

Make sure you have good strong boxes and plenty of packing material to transport your stained glass gifts to and from your craft shows.

Creating works of art in stained glass in an immensely satisfying and interesting hobby.

To get started you might decide to take a class or grab a couple of how-to books and prepare for a little trial and error.

Either way, your first few projects will probably be made either from a pre-made kit or with a pattern from a book or printed from a website.

You may soon decide that you are ready to create your own stained glass designs and bring it to life. Although the idea may seem daunting at first, you will soon find the challenge inspiring and realize that your own stained glass designs are not as difficult as you first thought.

All stained glass art projects, big and small begin with a cartoon. The cartoon is a drawing on paper of what you would like your stained glass artwork to look like.

The fact that you are translating your artwork into a stained glass piece provides some extra challenges. You will have to take into consideration the strength and integrity that the different sized pieces of stained glass designs will create.