Stained Glass Slideshow

Welcome to the slideshow of my emerging stained glass creations. It is updated as new projects are completed. Included here are my very first projects, gifts that I will give and a few made for others to give, and some pieces - well - I would find very hard to part with.

Stained Glass by Brenda
Updated: 1 December 2009

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Project Done

I took time yesterday to wrap the tropical fish stained glass piece I had started with copper foil. Well, wouldn't you know it, I just couldn't leave it at that. So...after supper I headed down to my craft area and worked on soldering it together until it was finished. (I've included the picture in my slide show and it can be viewed also by clicking "My Photo Albums" on the right.)

Today we worked on rearranging some furniture. Dan and I moved the old computer cabinet into the basement - it will make a great storage cabinet for stained glass supplies! Then, of course, I had to mop the floor. When finished, I moved one of the recliners into the dining area and put a 6X8 carpet in place. Since for the most part it's just the two of us here, I wanted an area near the patio doors to just be able to sit and relax, read, and/or watch TV. "Down-sizing" our dining table gave me the room I wanted. Then I rearranged some of the living room furniture too. Our small home looks a lot more spacious now.

A Work in Progress

With sub-zero temperatures today and wind chill temps at 40 to 45 below zero, I hunkered down and stayed home. This gave me some long overdue time to do some laundry (yuk) and work on stained glass. About two weeks ago I traced the pattern for this piece onto the glass but then found myself way too busy to continue working on it. This afternoon I cut and ground the 24 pieces of glass. The next step is to wrap each piece with copper foil and then solder the whole thing together, adding a zinc border along the way. The eye of the fish will be made using either solder or paint - I haven't decided which yet. When finished, this piece will be given as a gift.

Time Off

Been a few weeks...again! Lots of things have occupied my time since I last posted. The weather has been up and down - nice warm and sunny days mixed in with cold ones. We even had frost one morning the week after Memorial Day! The three baby Eastern Bluebirds have hatched and are being well cared for. They're growing nicely and I imagine will soon be testing their wings. Yesterday I saw a female Oriole sitting on our clothes line post with some string in her beak. She's either building or adding to her nest.

The garden is planted and doing well so far and the flower beds are planted as well. A few shrubs that had seen much better days have been removed. The swing set is disassembled and pumpkin and watermelon seeds were planted where it used to occupy space. My final paper for school has been written, submitted, and reviewed. And...the fire wood pile has grown significantly in anticipation for the next two winters. Amid all this activity, we made a trip to the cemetery on Sunday before Memorial Day to plant flowers at my dad's grave. I usually had made a wreath and floral arrangement of silk flowers but this year wanted to do real flowers.

You'd think with having 10 days off I would have worked on stained glass. Well, no, I just didn't have any energy for that with all the work that needed to be done around the house. But, I went back to work yesterday and when I got home, after taking the dogs for a walk and backing a batch of chocolate chip cookies, I started in on stained glass again. I completed two small flower pieces (they're in the slide show) that will probably make it to the holiday bazaar. There is a great connection with going to work and busying myself with stained glass. I have been finding the situation at work to be frustrating and immersing myself in stained glass really helps take my mind off, well, literally everything else. Kind of like an oasis in the desert. Still sacred time...

Back At It

After a week and a half of time off, I went back to work today. Must say it was tough getting up this morning, and...that alarm was very annoying! I also got back to working on stained glass. Chose two simple flower patterns last night and cut them out. When I got home from work this afternoon I set to making one of the pieces - a hibiscus - that will be donated to the Holiday bazaar. It's picture is included in the slideshow below. It's really nice to get back to crafting - I've missed it but my hands really appreciated not getting cuts. Think I'll just do a few smaller sun catcher pieces until I figure out what kind of larger piece I'd like to work on next.

Last Friday evening our church held the annual Wine & Cheese fundraiser. I donated two stained glass pieces for the oral auction: Tulips in the Round and Flower in the Round. They brought in a nice amount of money!

Saturday Musing and Update

Well, I finished the rectangular hummingbird and flower piece and it's included in the slideshow. I sure wish the sun would shine - it's been cloudy and rainy (except for snow today) for the past few days. Sure would make the colors on the glass pieces much more vivid. I do have another project in mind (coming soon: Tulips in the round) but will probably not start on it right away. Other things need to be attended to this afternoon. Besides, I'm running out of solder...again!

Since the weather is less than wonderful and it's so cold outside, this would be a good day to reorganize my glass supply, do the laundry, and attend to class work. Sounds like a busy afternoon to me!

What's New

Been sort of lazy days. The weather has much to do with that. It's been so cloudy and rainy over the past few days - enough to get anybody down...or at least lazy. There's even snow in the forecast for tomorrow...that's April in Wisconsin; never know what we're going to get. At any rate, it's been really nice to have had time to myself - time to renew and re-energize my spirit. Oh, there have been many work-related phone calls even though I have been off work since Tuesday. Took some of those accumulated comp days off this week. Those calls were annoying at first, but quite necessary in the long run.

I've been working on a new rectangular stained glass piece - a hummingbird and bright orange flower. Think it's turning out pretty well but it's been slow going. Managed to get five new cuts on my hands and fingers in the process...but nothing serious. I hope to finish the piece at some point tomorrow and then will add it to the picture album and slideshow. Stopped at the glass studio this morning to pick up another roll of copper foil (should have picked up more solder too so there may be yet another trip into town very soon). Ended up purchasing another pattern book too. There's a really cute bluebird in the round pattern in it that I want to make. Lots of other interesting patterns too. So there will be much to keep me occupied for quite some time. Working on these projects is definitely my sacred time.

Busy week ahead so it was a good thing to have these days off. Lots of meetings coming up but only one is an evening meeting, so that's good. The more time goes on, the less I want to be away from home in the evening. I'd much rather be here working on stained glass. But, alas, those evening meetings are part of my job... And I do seem to find pretty much time for crafting no matter how busy work can get.

New Projects etc.

Been working on a mid sized rectangular stained glass piece. It's the first I've attempted with straight edges and it's slow going learning how to make sure those edges are even so that the framing channel fits well. So far three sides are a-okay but the fourth side is giving me problems. So I decided to let it sit for today and return to it tomorrow (besides I had two meetings to attend today - one this afternoon and one this evening - and no spare time to work on it anyway). There's no point in working on a project when frustrated because somehow the glass seems to know frustration and things just don't go well when that happens. This is a technique I will have to perfect before working on a window.

Today I got my first order to make a piece for someone. It will be a cardinal - perhaps one of a different design from the one in the slideshow. I emailed several pattern options to this person to choose from. I have my favorite but we'll see what is ultimately chosen. I also delivered Simon's "order" - the second Northern Sunrise, the soccer ball, and the red airplane.

Meanwhile, if and when I get the current piece finished, I have my eye on a few smaller sun catchers to add to my collection and/or save for the bazaar and/or give as gifts. I certainly have a wide variety of glass here to choose from for those items and a rather large assortment of new patterns to try out.

Now that I've made my flight reservations for a return trip to Florida at the end of April, I find it difficult to wait even four weeks to go. There's a sense of peacefulness and perspective I find when there that I cannot seem to find anywhere else. Perhaps it's the geographical distance, perhaps it's because it's so different than Wisconsin (weather, climate, scenery), but mostly it's being able to connect in person with my dear friend - a friend with whom I email nearly every day and sometimes more than once a day. Though we first met the summer of 2003, I feel as if I've known her for many years. I truly believe we were led by divine intervention to meet - blessed be!

New Month; New Stained Glass Piece

Though this piece is already in the slideshow, I just had to include a picture of it here separately. I finished this sunrise scene, put together with copper foil and finished off with a black patina, last evening. I think it's my favorite one so far because it reminds me of all those wonderful barefoot walks on the beach during my trips to Florida. And...this piece will surely keep me "company" until I make a return trip to Florida to visit my friend at the end of this month.

Some New Things

Finished three glass pieces over the past week or so. A repeat one of the Northern Sunrise (in the exact same colors) that Simon wanted and also a soccer ball and red airplane he talked me into making for him. Periodically I'm going to move the slideshow of the craft pictures so it's near the top of the posts - will make it easier to find and view. And I've been keeping it updated with pictures. If you come 'round and take a look every now and again, you'll notice I change the date above the slideshow when new pictures are added...and sometimes I change the color of the date too:)

Other than that, I (yuk) cleaned the basement yesterday. But the plus was that I added a second crafting work station! Now I have plenty of room to stretch out while working on stained glass projects. Well...at least for now. I already have it filled with pattern traced glass for my next project. Today Dan made a nifty little gadget for me so that it's easy to cut the zinc channel used for straight-edged projects at a neat 45 degree angle. I have yet to try it out, but he did and it works great!

Photo Album Addition

A new photo album was added this evening (click on the Link at the right). We now have some pictures of our sweet pea, Amelia. She's 8 months old already and growing so fast! Yesterday she came over with mom and papa and she was all smiles. It won't be long before she's walking and talking and getting into Simon's stuff. But that's what little sisters are all about!

Simon spent the weekend with us. He was busy making aliens with his new toy, Martian Matter Alien Maker. I suspect there are nearly 20 aliens in his toy closet here! He really liked the Northern Sunrise sun catcher so I promised to make one for him. Will set to doing that when I get my current project done - an antique rose in the round. Have the glass cut out for that and just have a bit of grinding to do yet before wrapping it in copper foil and soldering it together. I had wanted to make the rose pink, but didn't have enough of that pretty dark and light pink glass left. So, cut the rose out of solid red instead. Something tells me I'll make another trip to the glass studio for more glass before the week is over. There are so many really cool pieces of glass there that I just can't resist picking up a couple of interesting pieces along with pieces I want for specific projects. Simon also wants an air plane and soccer ball sun catchers. He is going to keep me busy! And I have my eye on doing a desert sunrise one for myself too. I am on vacation this week but am not sure I'll get all of them done by the time I have to head back to work next Monday.

We've got snow in the forecast again for tonight...keeps me thinking about Florida - a lot! I can see myself as a snowbird some day - traveling to Florida for the winter months. Happily it IS spring (at least that's what the calendar says) and with temps in the 40's for tomorrow, the snow won't stick around very long.

Craft Update

Another day, another sun catcher...another angel.

"Grace" is her name and she wast made for my dear friend, Bette as an Easter gift. It's been a slow few days as far as crafting goes. Been working and over the weekend Simon was here. My hands needed the rest anyway.

I'm keeping an online photo album now. So far all my sun catchers are in it and...who knows what other pictures will surface in the future??? Anyway, check it out under "Links".

Friday Chatter

Oh darn, duty called today and I had to do some of that dreaded housework. But now the carpets are all shampooed and looking good again. Afterward I went into town to pick up a few things and did make another stop at the Glass Studio for three items...no new glass this time. When I got home, I set to work on finishing the angel I had begun yesterday. It will be a birthday gift for Aunt Peggy. (Picture coming soon as it was too dark outside by the time I finished to get a good shot.)

I was so engrossed in the project that I even forgot to eat lunch! Well, supper was put on hold as well because my daughter called to ask if I could babysit Amelia tonight. She and Ryan wanted to go out to eat, something they hadn't done since Amelia was born...in July! Given the choice between babysitting "Sweet Pea" and eating supper, well, Amelia won out. The little dear slept soundly all the while I was there. Simon was off on a sleep-over birthday party. But he will be coming over tomorrow and staying over night. That's sure to make for an active weekend.

Speaking of an active weekend, it will also be a semi-work weekend as well. Have a four hour morning of reflection at work tomorrow and also have to teach a class on Sunday - but only for one hour. Seems real weekends off are few and far between at times.

By the way, I did take Sara's birthday gift along tonight even though her birthday isn't until tomorrow. She loved the hummingbird and flower sun catcher!



8 March:

Here's the picture of the angel. This one was put together with copper foil and solder. Then a copper patina was put over the solder and shined up with polish.

Yesterday's Project

Yep...it was the bowl of apples. Just need to add the hanger rings yet...

What's next? I'm thinking the daffodil. Feeling the desire to see some spring amid this snowy landscape.

9:15 pm: Oh yeah...just checked out my sister's blog (linked on the right). Talk about spring! Beautiful cherry tree in full bloom!!! Makes my tree in the background of this picture look so bare. Well, until spring arrives here in Wisconsin, I'll just have to keep on stained-glassing! Did start the daffodil today but got sidelined into working on an angel, yes, holding a flower! There's another birthday coming up...

Crafting Weekend

A few more sun catchers to add to the collection. These are the "simple" ones I have made that will be saved for the church fall bazaar. All were done with lead came. I completed the girl and lady bug yesterday. The apple was done last Thursday.

My craft area was in dire need of reorganizing so, on Saturday that's just what I did. And I installed one of those under-the-cabinet lights over the area where my glass grinder is located. What a huge difference that made!

Not sure what my next project will be but I have plenty of patterns to choose from. Think, though, it will be something more challenging that these three pictured here. But that project, whatever it will be, will have to wait at least until tomorrow...it's a busy day for me today as I am in the midst of teaching a class on Monday afternoons and evenings. That leaves little time (like none) for crafting. But that's OK, my fingers and hands could use a day of rest!

Latest Additions

Well, it took me just two days to get cracking on something more challenging in the stained glass arena. This sun catcher is just under 6 inches in diameter and has 26 pieces...a far cry from the 5-9 piece ones I had already done! Besides having so many more pieces, some of them were very tiny, which posed a challenge. But I think it turned out pretty well. Yesterday I cut out the pattern and the glass and did some of the grinding. After work today I finished the grinding and soldered it together. I'll add a chain to hang it from but that will have to wait until I get into town tomorrow or Saturday (depends on how much snow we get tonight). I plan to give this one to my daughter for her birthday next week.


1 March 2008 (an addendum):

The class is officially over but I'm still immersed (or is it obsessed?) in this stained glass craft. Last night I completed this old time coffee pot, done in a semi-opaque blue with streaks of white running though it, and purple tulips (unfortunately, when I took the picture, the sun was at the wrong angle to vividly show the colors). Could I be thinking spring??? You bet! I think it took me all of 3-4 hours to complete from cutting the glass to fusing it together using the copper foil technique. One aid to how quickly this went together was with the assistance of a wonderful little device that rolls and crimps the copper foil onto the glass pieces in the proper position in one easy step. Sure saves the frustration of getting the positioning right by hand! Think I'll give this one as a gift to one of my friends who is a master gardener.

The other night I simply got bored waiting for the snow to start and with nothing but reruns on TV, so I put together a simple apple. Off and on I will make small and simple sun catchers and save them to donate to the craft sale at our church's holiday bazaar in fall.

Sun Catchers

I finally got around to taking pictures of the stained glass sun catchers I have made. Well, almost all of them - Simon took the sailboat one home with him on Sunday.




This is my very first class project: a hummingbird. I must say that it wasn't too difficult once I got rolling.






This butterfly was my second project done at home. Both this one and the hummingbird are put together with lead came.






Last week we learned how to do copper foil. So I just had to practice the technique at home and made this cardinal.

Too bad the sun wasn't shining brightly when I took these pictures...maybe tomorrow!




Meanwhile, I have been working on a chickadee using the copper foil technique. Tonight is the last class and I'll be finishing the teapot sun catcher I've been working on there. I'm sad to see the class end but I have enough glass here at home now to keep me occupied for a while. One day, after I figure I've practiced enough, I plan to do a real window! Wonder how long I'll have to practice...