stained glass

[applejuice]

Where can I learn to make a stained glass window? I have had the materials for years, and I have contacted Michael's for classes and I have never heard from them although I bought the stuff from them.

I also have contacted the community colleges which have outreach community classes, and the class that they offer is always cancelled due to lack of interest. So am I the only person in the world to want to learn this art? That cannot be since the company, Plaid, that made these materials and chemicals is in Norman, GA has been in business for a long time.

I am afraid to start as I may ruin the glass I have planned to use.


www.plaidonline.com

[melissa17s]

Check with local art centers or go to a stain glass artist in your area and start asking them about classes. I know that the art center I taught at always had full classes for the stained glass and a waiting list. I hope you find something available.

[momto l&a]

The people I know who do stained glass just played around till they got the look they want. One person had books to help guide her, the other person is brilliant and just went by the seat of his pants so to speak. I have seen the work of both and WOW!!

Once we get settled I am going to do some as I desperately want some hanging in a few windows and the price is just :

Happy making

[applejuice]

Thank you. It is scary at first, but I have surprised myself in situations like this. Thank you.

I bought the materials when my dcs were small. That was 20 years ago. They are beautiful when they are done.

[mamamarley]

Where are you? You might see if there are any weekend workshops not-too-far-away that you could run away to.. Or you could get in touch with the community school that was offering the stained glass classes that keep getting canceled and ask them what the threshold number of students is... Then you could ask them to contact anyone who was registered like you but couldn't take it and see if they want to try again (and bring some friends).. Then get some of your own friends to register as well...

Glass was my major at the community college I was attending when I got pregnant, Hocking College. And they really would do things the way I suggested above (I actually had to do that for a papermaking class I wanted to take). You're definitely not the only person who wants to learn to make windows - out of the three main areas of art offered at Hocking (metal, clay, and glass), glass always had the most students. And the nighttime, "flex" classes offered (kinda a modular class structure, learn a quarter's worth of stuff in 5 weeks) were always full.

Keep trying! Glass is really rewarding - takes a lot of patience, but it's great fun.

[PreggieUBA2C]

I learned glass blowing and casting in college, but when I wanted to learn stained glass work and had to choose between buying the materials or taking the class, I decided to read a few books and buy the materials. Amongst those materials, I had a bunch of off-cuts sold by-the-pound by a local shop and I used those to practise. Later I took a class and didn't find it added anything to my acquired skills, and then I married my husband and have been pg and nursing ever since... so much for lead came and solder...

I have been toying with alternative ways to fasten flat-glass like by making wooden or stacked and sanded heavy paper framework to hold it in place. I'm not explaining that well, but for me it would be an indoor piece, so I'm not concerned about weathering.

Anyway, if it were me (and once it was ) I would just practise. Oh we had a shop that allowed people to just come and use their equipment for a very small fee by-the-hour, so I used their grinding wheels and giant tables. That was nice... I miss that... sigh... Are there any local craftpeople who would be amenable to sharing their equipment for some trade-off with you? There were a few that used to do this for volunteer time working in their store fronts during weekdays so they could be in their studios, although they preferred to tend their shops on the weekends when they were busiest. I would call everyone possible and just talk- find out what others are doing!

[bluebird68]

Hey there... just wanted to share that i approached a local stained glass artist personally, and he taught me himself, and it was the beginning of an amazing friendship! That was 11 years ago, and he continues to be a big inspiration to me. He is in his 70's, and feels like stained glass is becoming a lost art. You might try connecting with an artist that way and see what transpires. By the way, we only met a few times for instruction. THere are good books for back-up, etc. Good luck! Michelle

[applejuice]

I am in Southern California.

I am on an alert list for Michael's Arts and Crafts Stores as to when they have a workshop, but that was a year and a half ago.

I have signed up three semesters in a row at the local community college, and I am the only person who does so, so the class is canceled, naturally. I am at a loss for someone to guide me. I have asked for the phone number of the teacher of the class, and I have said that I would pay them personally for their time, and I get no where!!


AS for glass blowing, I have been to the Murano Glass Factory in Venice, Italy, and I do have a small collection of my own. So beautiful!