5 Ways To Level Up Your Stained Glass

1. Draw your own patterns.

Try not to be intimidated! Once you have an understanding of how glass breaks and the limits of your tools, let your imagination fly and draw your own patterns! Personally I like to use graph paper and a fine point sharpie for my patterns. Buy some rulers and a compass and go for it!

2. Use zinc and lead came for your borders.

Even if it’s not structurally necessary, a zinc, lead, or brass came border adds a nice finished look to your work that a beaded edge can’t quite match in my opinion.

3. Use layout frames!

This has an exclamation point because these tools have been game changers for my own work! In my opinion, the border of any stained glass piece is the Number One priority to do well. Practice this now so that you can make a huge window for lots of $$ one day—it’s worth the headache!!

4. Make your own hooks.

Hot tip: tinned wire is just copper wire with a coating of solder on it. Each design has its own ideal hanging point(s). Pre-made jump rings or hangers limit your ability to hang it from the best angle or the best place (also consider the angle your chain will hang—make sure it’s not behind or in front of your glass, and that your piece hangs vertically and not at an angle). Making your own hooks allows for the hanging point to be a conscious part of the design.

5. Add details: use glass paint!

Pebeo Vitrea 160 glass paint can be baked in a conventional oven for a permanent finish. There are some other glass paint options, too. Paint it and bake it before foiling. Maybe a design could use added details, or something that couldn’t be cut into the design could be painted instead? There are lots of possibilities with glass paint. Give it a try and see what you come up with!

Anyway, these are some of my things I’ve been working on to level up my own work and I thought I’d share. I’d love to hear your ideas, too. What other ways level up stained glass?