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Creating a Stained Glass Window Using a Photograph for Inspiration
May 24th, 2010
Photograph client wanted to replicate in glass
Completed stained glass made to hang in window
My client wanted a stained glass window made to look like this photograph. I found a piece of Uroboro glass that looked so much like the tree covered hills that I hardly had to cut it up. The glass had a ripple texture to it that added to the effect. I added the white Spectrum waterglass as a frame to give the piece some height.
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Stained Glass Ark Windows, Part 1
April 20th, 2010
Color design drawn to scale
Full size drawings to check branch alignment
Side view of arch
I am so excited to be doing the ark windows for the new synagogue at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home! The total project is 53 square feet of stained glass. The photos show the drawings for the three windows that face the synagogue. After they are done, I’ll create the curved windows for the arched space behind those windows. The design will be a continuation of the tree branches and leaves. The three main windows will be leaded and I’m copper foiling the curved windows. I’m using opaque Spectrum glass and the windows will be lit from within. I’ll blog periodically during the process, so check back or stop by my studio!
Leaded and Painted Stained Glass Repair
April 20th, 2010
Upper window showing bowed and broken pieces
Lower part of window showing that most of the pieces are cracked
Taking the window apart using a rubbing of the window for a template
First firing showing the black tracing lines of the new piece
Painted pieces showing final firing with shading
Painted wings leaded into window
Completed and installed window!
This repair was quite a challenge for me! There were so many piece that were broken that I had to make a rubbing to use as a guide. Once I took the pieces apart, I used the template to cut new pieces. All the glass in this window was mouth-blown antique glass, so that’s what I used for the repair. Where I could, I used larger broken pieces to replace the smaller broken ones. It was fun to replicate the three broken painted pieces with the tracing lines and the shading. Installing the window was so rewarding. It was beautiful!
Before and After Sidelight Repair for the Lancaster Apartments
March 20th, 2010
This window is half missing!
Lower pieces are missing
The two sidelights repaired and installed
These two sidelights were the worst of the 12 windows – besides the one that was completely missing! It amazes me that those windows were holding on. The pieces were falling out one by one.
Lancaster Apartment’s Stained Glass Restoration, Installation
March 20th, 2010
Installing the trim
Taping on the protective plastic
Taking off the plastic after staining and coating the trim
Final touch up cleaning!
Final shot of one of the entrances. The new window on the right.
The windows are complete! It took two days to install all 12 windows in the 4 entrances. We cut and installed new trim to replace the old, broken trim. We tried 6 different stains before settling on Red Mahogany. My carpenter suggested taping the edges of the windows from the inside before we put them in the frames which was a fantastic idea. When the trim was put in, the tape covered the glass and went underneath the trim so that staining it was a breeze! Since we sprayed the polyurethane protective coating, we also cut and taped up painter’s plastic. These things that take a little extra time, really save in the end in final cleanup and a professional look.
Lancaster Apartment’s Stained Glass Restoration, Part 3
March 9th, 2010
Window comparison
Here is a comparison of the new window (on the right) I made next to one of the restored original windows. For the clear glass, I used mouthblown restoration glass. This glass is more expensive than hardware store glass, but well worth the extra cost. It’s got the distortion that regular glass will get over time. I was very happy with the colored glass I found to match the old glass.
Lancaster Apartment’s Stained Glass Restoration, Part 2
March 8th, 2010
Painted "C" before firing
Cut pieces for new window with space for the "C"
Finished leaded window
For the new window I needed to make, I had to replicate a painted piece with a “C”. First I traced a C from one of the existing windows, then I cut out a template from the paper. I outlined the template with a black sharpie, then filled it in with traditional glass paint. I used oil and mixed tracing black with grey to get the shade of grey I wanted. It worked really well to paint the C and then stipple it with the brush that’s in the photo. It blended the paint strokes perfectly, then I just wiped away the paint that smudged outside the C with a rubber tipped tool. I fired the piece to 1225 degrees in my kiln and it turned out just great!
Traditional Stained Glass Leaded Windows With a Twist
February 18th, 2010
Close up of window
Bookcase window close up
Photo of all 4 windows
I wanted to put these windows in my blog because even though the design is very traditional, the water glass that was used is the difference. I got this job through Julia Russell, an interior designer with her own firm in Omaha. She was great to work with. She gave me the design and chose the glass. I was just the fabricator! The only challenge figuring out the size for the triangles that would work for all the windows.
The Lancaster Apartment’s Stained Glass Restoration, Part 1
February 2nd, 2010
Eloy is carefully taking out the transom window from the frame
Successful removal of the window!
Removing the sidelight window
All seven sidelights back at my studio
The four transoms at my studio
Yesterday in the middle of yet another lovely snow fall in Omaha, Eloy and I removed eleven windows from the four entrances of the Lancaster Apartments. I am very excited about this job not only because they are beautiful and nearly 100 years old, but because they are going to be enjoyed by so many people that live in the apartments and in the neighborhood. From what I can tell, they have never been repaired. I used masking tape to hold the windows together while they were being taken out. We were fortunate to be able to then tape the stained glass to the laminate window pieces (that had been installed for protection) as a brace for transport. I will have to make one new sidelight window to match the others as that window mysteriously vanished.
Check back for progress reports as I move along on this great restoration!
Leaded Stained Glass Beveled Bathroom Mirror
January 10th, 2010
Design for mirror
Finished mirror
This is the first large mirror I’ve ever made. I wish I had hired someone to take a good photo of it, because the ones I took did not do it justice. I would love to do more mirrors like this. I’ve posted the design I showed my client and the final piece to show how the process works. The dimensions are approximately 30″x42″. I used stock bevels 3″x3″ and 4″x4″, white Spectrum glass and had the center mirror custom beveled. The outside framed is zinc metal. To support the mirror, I soldered 2 strips of steel rebar to the back. There are hooks soldered to the rebar for hanging. To protect the back of the mirror I used a mirror sealant and I also adhered thick black paper to the back of each mirror so there will be no way of the mirror being scratched. When the client’s send me a picture of the mirror installed I’ll be sure to post it. It was shipped to Jackson, Wyoming!