FAQ's

(no one has actually asked me)

Meet your maker!

Q: How long have you been doing stained glass for and when did you start?

I had my first interaction with stained glass during my sophomore year of high school. I was taking a glass art class that centered around all things glass art. I took it for three years (10th-12th grade) and spent much of the first year sandblasting mirrors. During my second year, I began making fused mosaics and other kiln work and only made the cut-glass-and-foil (sun catchers) projects as needed for the class requirement. Ironically, it was my least favorite thing about glass class because of the many steps it took, but now I love it for all the reasons I hated it before. Altogether of actually working on glass projects, I have a total of about five years of experience now. I stopped making glass after high school and didn’t pick it up after many years because, well, life just happens. 

Q: Where do you get your supplies from?

From all over! Lucky for me, I was gifted 90% of my glass stock and 100% of my copper foil. I bought my glass grinder and grinder bits from Inland Craft; soldering iron (Hako FX-601), solder, patina, and tip tinner from Amazon. I have purchased chemicals, cleaner, and wax from Anything In Stained Glass. I had my pistol grip glass cutter since my beginning days and have gotten other random materials from the nearby craft store. 

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Q: Do you make or find your design patterns? What is your method?

Both! I have a handful of original designs I have created, as well as some designs I am using from a pattern book. The real kicker is that I’ve also used some coloring book images for designs too, but shh don’t tell the gate-keepers they’ll cancel me real quick. I’m still a bit new to making my own designs and am quickly learning what does and does not work. However, it can be nice to not have to make a new design every time you want to make something so pattern books are great for that. I actually feel a bit obligated to use some book patterns because I inherited about 30 pattern books that I don’t want to just collect dust. 

My design method has changed a little bit but it is not glamorous. I don’t have an iPad or a tablet, so I’m not out here using nice software to make these masterful designs at the moment. If I am making a design, it’s with pen and paper. From there, I will take a picture and digitize it with Adobe Spark (an app on my phone) and then import that image to Cricut Design Space. Currently, I use a vinyl cutter (Cricut Explore Air 2) with stencil vinyl for my pattern pieces because they stick the best and it’s much quicker than my old method. This way I can also make duplicates much easier.

Q: What type of glass do you use? What is your favorite?

This isn’t a fun answer- anything I have. My inherited glass stock is compiled of many different types of glass, including: artique, opalescent, translucent/ semi-translucent/wispy opalescent, clear textures, cathedrals, waterglass, baroque, mottle, mardi gras, Kokomo, Youghiogheny,

and more. My favorite type of glass is Van Gogh glass and I actually enjoy working with mirror. 

Q: Do you do commissions?

No. Truthfully, part of the fun is making things I want to make and seeing something I’m interested in coming to life. Right now I’m focusing on what I want to do and perfecting my craft. But fear not, there are plenty of other glass artists that would love your business!