Preparations necessary for art in glass

Stained glass refers to different colors and shapes of glass that are combined together to form art in glass. The color in glass art is gotten from metallic salts that are added during the manufacturing process.  Art in glass is common in church windows and certain lampshade and mirror styles. You will need skills and precision to create the stained glass objects. However, when you do it the right way, it can be fun. Here are a few tips on how to do it

Choose an easy project top begin with

If you are just starting in creating stained glasses, you do not want to start from the top; it is recommended that you begin with a smaller and simpler pattern that doesn’t have so many parts. For instance as a beginner, you can start by affixing a simple panel to the window. This will ensure that you have a project that doesn’t have too many sharp edges and without so many parts to keep track of. It can be a great idea to start with a simple panel for the window.

Choose a pattern

You will definitely need to select a pattern that you like and it is your skill level that will allow you to do this. Some of the important factors to consider include the number of glass pieces needed for the pattern and the amount of soldering and cutting that you need to do. Again, if you are just beginning, be sure to select a pattern that is simpler. You can get patterns in books, the internet, library and many other places. You can also choose to create your own pattern probably based on something that you saw. You can look for inspiration in books and nature.

Select a glass type

You will need to use a sheet glass for the project. There are 2 categories of these glasses-opalescent and cathedral. Other important factors that you should consider include price, color, texture and the transparency degree. Stained glass is available in large sheet with the smallest one available at around one by one foot and the largest one being 4 by 4 feet. Ensure that the glass you buy is enough for your project. You should not forget that you will end up loosing a quarter of your glass after trimming. Cathedral glass is usually clear and transparent. Opalescent glass includes opal or white in its color. This type of glass needs more pressure to cut. You can combine the two types of glasses into your project.