Brief Description
Have you ever wondered how glass is made and put together? Here is your chance to try a unique glass technique called ‘copperfoil,’ invented by Louis Comfort Tiffany which revolutionised the way that glass was made and put together. Small scale, delicate pieces can be made using this method in just a few days.
You will need a steady hand and lots of patience to learn this technique, but the results will be well worth the effort! You will create a unique and beautiful stained glass piece in just three days!
During the first part of the course we will concentrate upon working out suitable designs and colour scheme for a project. The following will be studied during the course:
- Design skills
- Brief history of glass/makers
- Glass cutting methods
- Copperfoil technique
- Health & safety
- Soldering skills
You will learn how to create a design for a glass panel, cut glass, shape it using a grinding machine, copper foil it, and finally attach the fragments together using a soldering iron.
You will learn through demonstrations and discussion. You will be given the opportunity to create your own design so that you will understand how to design your own piece in the future, or use my template. By the end of the two days, you will make a fun decorative piece using coloured and textured glass.
Materials required
- Images for inspiration (not images of stained glass – photos or drawings please)
- 2 sheets of A4 paper, a pencil, a rubber, a ruler, a pair of scissors (the office can supply all of these items, only bring if you want to)
- An apron, which is fabric or plastic coated
- 1 x A4 sheet of clear picture frame glass (cheap clip frames are the best)
- Permanent silver and black pens
- A cutting board (that you wont use for food again)
Optional:
- Sequins, beads, buttons. Araldite or similar glue will be needed to affix these items to the glass.
Extra costs on the course:
Specific glass materials for the course will cost £25 which will be paid to the tutor at the start of the course. Tools will be provided except the ones listed above which you will need to bring with you on the first day.
Other Information:
The tutor has two grinding machines and 3 soldering irons so this class will have limited numbers so that waiting times to use equipment is kept to a minimum.