Creative stained glass 17 step-by-step projects for stunning glass art and gifts

Review by Library Journal Review

Award-winning stained-glass artist Springael gives beginners a detailed account of all things stained glass. Starting with basic terminology and required materials, the book gives detailed instructions for transferring designs to glass, along with indispensable information about how to cut, grind, and foil it. With safety in mind, the author explains step-by-step soldering techniques. The book's 17 beautiful projects--ranging from wall hangings and sun catchers to decorative windows, jewelry, and mirrors--are rated in difficulty from easy to hard, which will help the true novice become more adept at the basics before progressing to curving cut glass or creating 3-D projects. Easy-to-follow directions are presented for each one. Ideas that are unique to this book include painting with glass and other paints and detailing flowers with extra drops of solder. A detailed set of templates is provided for all projects, and the book even indicates the specific glass and manufacturers that were utilized in the design. VERDICT An essential how-to book for beginning stained-glass artists.--Charlyn Lyons

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Welcome to the world of glass, a world full of colour and light. Glass is not the easiest material to work with, but it is well worth the effort and once you enter a glass shop and you see all the available colours, you will probably be smitten anyway. I know I was and I still am. Every time I pick up a piece for the first time and the light falls through it, I fall in love all over again. There's no other medium that captures light the way glass does.

I will show you how to work with several types of glass, as well as metals such as copper, brass and lead. I chose to work with materials that are readily available to buy to make the projects in this book as accessible as possible. However, working with recycled materials and leftover glass is always my preference. It really is worth looking for second-hand glass and tools.

I'll show you the basics of painting on glass with traditional glass paints, fired in a kiln. But don't let a lack of a kiln put you off as I'll describe ways to add details to your work with wire and I've found a good alternative to traditional paint that doesn't require a kiln.

In this book, I will teach you step-by-step how to make all kinds of home decoration: suncatchers, small panels, planters and even mirrors. The possibilities with copper foil and glass are endless. I will be sharing all my tips and experience with you and hope that you will be inspired to make your own creations afterwards.

It's not always easy to come up with ideas so if you are finished with the projects in my book there's a lot of projects available online. But please make sure the template you pick is free: copying other people's work is not okay.

One last thing before you start: don't be afraid to start cutting glass - you will find it much easier than you ever expected.

Excerpted from Creative Stained Glass: Make Stunning Glass Art and Gifts with This Instructional Guide by Noor Springael All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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